Srinagar: The Confederation of Indian Industry Jammu & Kashmir chapter organised the third edition of its flagship ‘SheLeads’ initiative in Srinagar, focusing on advancing women’s leadership and inclusive growth in the region.
Held at Hotel Golden Tulip Srinagar, the conclave was themed “Scaling Resilience into Leadership” and brought together women leaders, policymakers, administrators, entrepreneurs, educators and institutional stakeholders from across Jammu and Kashmir.
According to organisers, the SheLeads platform has, over its three editions, aimed to foster dialogue and promote greater visibility and participation of women in leadership roles. This year’s discussions centred on translating women’s resilience in the region into structured leadership opportunities through institutional support, enabling policies and mentorship frameworks.
In her welcome address, Haya Qazi, Chairperson of Salvatore International School, underscored the importance of sustained platforms that move beyond symbolic recognition to creating tangible leadership pathways for women.
Iqram Ali Shafiee, Chairman of CII J&K, in his special address, highlighted the evolving nature of leadership in a rapidly changing environment. He described resilience as a key leadership attribute, particularly in the context of Jammu and Kashmir, and stressed the need for equitable opportunities and institutional support to enable women to take on leadership roles across sectors. He reiterated the organisation’s commitment to promoting women’s leadership through initiatives such as the CII Centre of Women Leadership and the Indian Women Network.
The inaugural session also featured addresses by Indu Kanwal Chib and Shamima Firdous, who spoke on the role of women in governance and public life and the importance of inclusive decision-making in the region’s development.
A felicitation ceremony was held during the event to recognise women leaders from diverse sectors for their contributions and achievements.
A panel discussion titled “The Leadership Shift – Women Shaping the Next Phase of J&K’s Economic Growth” formed a key part of the conclave. The session featured speakers including Haya Qazi, Ridha Rashid, Najwan Nazki, Shadab Makhdoomi and Amber Ahmad. Panelists discussed women’s role in enterprise development, policymaking and economic growth, while highlighting challenges such as limited access to finance, professional networks and mentorship opportunities.
The organisers said the discussions emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to address systemic barriers and strengthen leadership ecosystems for women in Jammu and Kashmir.
Concluding the event, CII J&K reiterated its commitment to supporting women-led growth through policy advocacy, leadership development and inclusive platforms.
