Ficci Ladies Organisation (FLO) is the women’s wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci). FLO was established in 1983 as a division of Ficci, the apex body of industry and commerce in India. FLO has been promoting women entrepreneurship and professional excellence through workshops, seminars, conferences, training, capacity building programmers etc. As a pan-India women’s organisation, FLO has 20 chapters across India (Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Indore, Jammu & Kashmir & Ladakh, Jaipur, Kolkata, Siliguri, Lucknow, Kanpur, Ludhiana, Mumbai, North East, Pune, Uttarakhand, Vadodara) and its headquarters is in New Delhi. Its members are entrepreneurs, professionals and corporate executives.
In an exclusive interview with Bizz Buzz, Joyshree Das VermaFicci FLO’s new national president delves into a range of issues including organisational strategy, securing funding for members and gender bias in the workplace.
As the 41st National President of Ficci FLO, what is your vision for Ficci FLO this year and your strategy to achieve it?
My vision for this year is focused on driving women empowerment and promoting inclusive growth through strategic initiatives. Our theme, “Joint Vision, Joint Action”, highlights our commitment to creating a supportive environment where women can succeed in their entrepreneurial and professional pursuits. We aim to empower women across urban and rural areas by launching initiatives such as Sui Dhaga – FLO Skill Centres, Barefoot University’s Solar Mama training programme and Industrial Skill Centres in Haryana. These programmes, through partnerships with organisations like NIIT, equip women with essential skills and digital literacy, bridging the digital divide and enabling economic independence.
My strategy focuses on promoting female entrepreneurship, increasing opportunities for career progression and advancing gender equality in both the corporate and societal spheres. By leveraging collaboration and fostering innovation, FicciFLO aims to be a catalyst for change, enabling women to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the Indian economy and society. Through these initiatives, I aim to strengthen FLO’s impact and make significant strides towards sustainable progress and women empowerment at a national scale.
Recently, Ficci FLO launched its 20th chapter in Siliguri under your leadership, how will this new chapter promote women empowerment and gender equality in the North-East region?
Ficci FLO’s establishment of its 20th chapter in Siliguri marks a strategic move aimed at promoting women empowerment and advancing gender equality in the Northeast region. Siliguri was chosen as the location for the chapter in recognition of its role as a key gateway to Northeast India and the booming economic growth being witnessed in the region. This expansion will enable us to empower women entrepreneurs in tier 2 and tier 3 cities by providing critical support including financial assistance, technical resources, mentorship and networking opportunities.
This new chapter will serve as a vibrant platform for women to connect, collaborate, and access essential resources to nurture and expand their businesses. We are committed to nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs, including housewives, who aspire to transform into successful business leaders and helping current entrepreneurs reach new heights of success. Through training, mentorship, and access to resources, FLO aims to foster economic empowerment and promote gender equality not just in Siliguri but across the Northeastern region. We are optimistic that this initiative will go a long way in uplifting the socio-economic environment of women in the region.
Can you give some examples of successful women entrepreneurs who have benefited from FLO’s programs?
Our organization has played a pivotal role in empowering women entrepreneurs across India through a wide range of initiatives focused on digital and financial literacy, funding opportunities, networking, training and skill development programs. These initiatives impact women at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from grassroots efforts to senior management levels.
Among the beneficiaries of FLO’s programs are some incredible women entrepreneurs who have leveraged these resources to achieve great success in their fields. FLO’s initiatives have empowered women entrepreneurs across geographies. Through partnerships such as the MoU with Samhita CGF for the ONDC project, FLO has enhanced e-commerce capabilities with technology and training. By collaborating with IIM Bangalore’s NSCREL cell under Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women program, it provided critical mentorship to entrepreneurs in Indore. In Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, FLO set up the ‘Ficci FLO JKL MSME Help Desk’ and hosted a successful ‘Udyam Registration Drive’. Meanwhile, FLO Jaipur showcased the cultural richness of Rajasthan and offered extensive business opportunities attracting over 5,000 enquiries and potential businesses worth Rs 3.25 crore. Through these activities, the women not only overcame obstacles but also made meaningful contributions to their communities and industries, demonstrating the transformative impact that FLO’s support can have.
FLO continues to spotlight and celebrate success stories like these, underscoring its commitment to fostering an environment in which women can thrive as entrepreneurs. By providing essential tools, guidance and opportunities, FLO helps women realize their entrepreneurial dreams and make a lasting impact on society and the economy at large.
How does FLO help women entrepreneurs secure business financing and investment?
We support women entrepreneurs by facilitating their access to finance through various initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and professional skills. Through workshops, seminars, conferences and capacity building programs, FLO equips women with the skills and knowledge they need to secure financing for their businesses. These initiatives are spread across both rural and urban areas, making them both broad in reach and impact.
Additionally, we are partnering with government and private organizations to create financing opportunities specifically for women entrepreneurs. For example, FLO has signed strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with institutions such as the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of India (ICMAI) to increase financial literacy and support women entrepreneurs, especially in the MSME sector. These partnerships facilitate mentorship, training, and networking opportunities that are crucial for women entrepreneurs to have in the early stages of their business.
Going forward, FLO will explore further collaborations with organisations such as the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Authority of India to expand financial education and access to funding for women entrepreneurs in the coming financial year. These initiatives underscore FLO’s commitment to sustainable economic growth and empowering women through entrepreneurship.
How does FLO address the issue of gender bias and stereotypes in the business world?
We address gender bias and stereotypes in the business world through multi-faceted efforts focused on awareness, advocacy and empowerment. One of our key strategies is awareness campaigns and workshops to educate both men and women about the unconscious biases and stereotypes prevalent in the workplace and entrepreneurial ecosystem. By raising awareness, FLO aims to challenge these biases and promote a more inclusive business environment.
Advocacy work also plays a key role, with FLO actively engaging with policymakers, industry leaders and stakeholders to advocate for policies that advance gender equality and create a level playing field for women entrepreneurs. This includes seeking to influence supportive policies on issues such as access to capital, legal protections and gender-sensitive business practices.
Empowerment efforts are another pillar of FLO’s approach. Through mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and skill-building workshops, FLO provides women entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to navigate and overcome gender bias. These programs not only build self-confidence, but also provide practical support to help women navigate their entrepreneurial journey.
Thus, FLO’s concerted efforts in awareness raising, advocacy and empowerment contribute to eradicating gender biases and stereotypes in the business world and foster an environment where women can play and succeed on an equal footing with men.
