International Women's Day 2025

Bizmudra has a look at various businesses celebrating their contribution towards creating diversity on this International Women's Day

MD & CEO, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, Vinod Aggarwal says, "As the logistics and commercial vehicle industry transforms, we are encouraged to see more women take on pivotal roles. At VECV, we are committed to driving relevant modernization through the Eicher and Volvo brands. This includes innovation in products, services, and also in how we work. I am proud to note that our latest small truck- the Eicher Pro X is built on an all-women assembly line, showcasing innovative approaches that enhance inclusiveness on the manufacturing shop floor. By creating opportunities across the commercial vehicle value chain, we are building a stronger, more resilient future.”

Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited (MLMML), India’s No.1 commercial EV manufacturer, started the Mahindra WE (Women Entrepreneurs) Hunnar initiative in July 2024 as part of its commitment to empowering women in the mobility sector. MLMML marked International Women's Day by recognising these trained women beneficiaries to get their three and four-wheeler licenses as part of the Mahindra WE (Women Entrepreneurs) Hunnar initiative. In total, 245 women were skilled on three courses, such as 3W/4W driving, customer care executive and EV repair & maintenance. This pioneering program has trained 52 women to drive three and four wheelers, equipping them with the skills and resources to build sustainable livelihoods and achieve financial independence.

This International Women's Day, Manipal Hospitals made a bold move in rewriting that script with a strong initiative focused on women's health and empowerment. The hospital gathered working professionals, women HR heads, police officers, and dignified members of the IAS and IPS Women's Association for an illuminating and festive morning under the theme 'The Power of Her', in the presence of the doctors from all units of the hospital group.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Poultry India/IPEMA organized a special event to celebrate and recognize the contributions of women in the poultry sector. The programme brought together IPEMA members and women entrepreneurs from across the industry to honor their achievements and discuss ways to foster greater participation of women in poultry.  

In a recent report by Spinny, India’s leading full-stack used car platform, highlights a significant rise in women car buyers. In 2024, women made up 26% of Spinny’s customer base, a substantial increase from 16% in 2023. Notably, by March 2025, this number surged to 46%, signaling growing confidence among women in purchasing used cars and reshaping automotive preferences and societal norms. 60% of women buyers prefer automatic hatchbacks for their ease of use, while 18% opt for compact SUVs.

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has announced a transformative step towards fostering gender parity and workplace inclusion by converting an entire smelter line at its operations in Jharsuguda, Odisha, which is to be operated and maintained exclusively by women employees. The Jharsuguda smelter is one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters.

Pallavi Katiyar, Chief Information Officer (CIO), Tech Mahindra says, “Women in leadership bring a powerful mix of intelligence, empathy, and innovation—critical for today’s complex business landscape. As we embrace this year’s IWD theme, fostering gender diversity through leadership programs and mentorship becomes even more crucial. With continuous efforts and support, these actions will drive a revolution, making opportunities in technology more inclusive, holistic, and impactful.”

Joyshree Das Verma, National President, FICCI FLO, "Women have talent, resilience, and vision to drive national growth, yet they continue to struggle with access to finance, skill development, and leadership roles. Having experienced the power of financial independence, I believe empowering women is not just fair but essential for economic progress. At FICCI FLO, we are committed to driving this change through impactful skilling initiatives across levels, like the recent 100 Girls Empowerment Program and the Women Directors Program. Strengthening these efforts, recent MoUs with ICA Eduskills, Yes Bank, and Support a Skill Care Foundation further support women’s skill development. With projects like India’s first 100% women-owned industrial park in Hyderabad, we are setting new benchmarks. Progress happens when we take action, and the time to act is now."

Neha Sampat, Founder & CEO at Contentstack, “Technology has the power to level the playing field, and women are already leading its transformation across industries. Diversity is not just about hiring—it is about creating environments where different perspectives shape the future of technology in meaningful ways. In an era of rapid change, the organisations that thrive will be those that recognise inclusion not as a concession, but as a strategic advantage that drives better outcomes for everyone."

Kavitha Ramachandragowda, Co-founder & Executive Director, Routematic, “According to the World Economic Forum, at our current pace, full gender equality may not be achieved until 2158. Women’s Day 2025 serves as a crucial reminder that we must accelerate progress. At Routematic, we are dedicated to building an inclusive workforce, enhancing mobility safety, and leveraging technology to create equal opportunities. While India has made significant progress, the journey is far from over. Gender equality should not be an exception or a distant goal, it must become the norm.”

Simmi Dhamija, Chief Operating Officer at AIonOS, “At AIonOS, we believe progress starts with equal opportunities for all. Equality is not just a goal—it’s essential for innovation, stronger economies, and a better future.. As we align with the theme "Accelerate Action," we recognize that real change requires commitment. We are driving this transformation by promoting an inclusive environment where diverse talent can thrive, lead, and shape the future of AI.”

Neha Bagaria, Founder and CEO at HerKey, “Women in India are not just breaking ceilings; they are redefining the very structures that once held them back. The future of work is inclusive, and it is time for organisations to actively champion women’s leadership, not just as a goal but as a necessity for business success. By fostering a culture of mentorship, flexibility, and equal opportunities, we can unlock the immense potential of women in the workforce and drive meaningful progress for the economy. True empowerment comes when women are supported at every stage of their career journey, from entry to leadership, creating a cycle of growth that benefits all."

This International Women’s Day, AkzoNobel India is celebrating its ‘Indradhanush’ women who are challenging the status-quo in the male-dominated industries of decorative painting with the transformative power of paint. In under four years, AkzoNobel’s social initiative, Project Indradhanush has created a new sustainable livelihood-driven ecosystem for more than 3,100 rural women in in more than 940 villages across seven states of India. Noteworthy that over 2,100 women are now vocationally trained, financially independent professional painters while another 1,000 women are successful paint-preneurs.

On this women’s Day, leading women’s health experts, including the national heads of gynaecologists’ associations, are advocating for greater awareness and adoption of advanced surgical technologies to address the growing prevalence of gynaecological diseases in India. A pioneer in Gynaecological Robotic Surgery in India, and the Founder and President of Gynaecological Robotic surgeons, Dr. Rooma Sinha, said “Women already suffer a lot due to late menopause, irregular cycles, high-dose hormone therapies for infertility, metabolic disorders, etc. Those who go through these are particularly susceptible to ovarian and endometrial tumours too. It's unfair if they have to go through the complications of surgery after all this. However, with the advent of new age technologies like robotic-assisted surgery, they no longer have to suffer the trauma of traditional surgery.”

AbhiBus (ixigo bus business), India’s leading bus ticketing platform, is now facilitating bookings for India’s first women-only intercity bus service, launched by YoloBus. The YoloBus service, exclusive for women, will operate on the Gurgaon-Chandigarh route starting 8th March.

This International Women’s Day, Qubo, the premium smart devices brand from the Hero Group, is taking on the responsibility to challenge a few biases that exist on our roads today. The brand, well recognized for its wide range of dashcams, has always sought to make our roads safer for everyone. With this initiative, it takes a step forward in making the same roads less discriminatory as well. The brand builds on its simple, yet powerful #NoArgumentsOnlyEvidence narrative around its Dashcams, firmly positioning these products as the ultimate truth-tellers on the road. 

The IMC Ladies’ Wing successfully hosted IMPACT 2025 at Trident Hotel, Nariman Point, celebrating women who inspire change and redefine empowerment. Ms. Shabana Azmi, legendary actor and social activist, graced the event as Chief Guest and engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with film journalist Ms. Bhawana Somaaya on her five-decade journey in films and the evolving role of women in society.

NueGo, India’s largest electric intercity bus brand from GreenCell Mobility, has partnered with Sirona, a leading name in feminine wellness and hygiene, to empower and support women passengers during their bus journeys. As part of this collaboration, Femcare Kits—containing PeeBuddy Stand & Pee device and 100% rash-free sanitary pads—will be available and accessible to all the women guests travelling on the NueGo buses. This initiative aims to enhance women’s comfort during long-distance travel, address menstrual hygiene needs, and break societal taboos surrounding period care. Further strengthening this initiative, all women guests traveling with NueGo on March 8, International Women’s Day, in Bangalore, will receive complimentary hygiene kits—reinforcing the brand’s commitment to raising awareness about feminine hygiene and enhancing travel comfort for women.

 Ms. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO, Kinetic Green, "At Kinetic Green, we have been leading the charge in fostering gender diversity within the automotive and electric vehicle (EV) sectors. Through initiatives such as SheRise and SkillHer, we equip women with specialised training and internships, accelerating their professional growth. A landmark achievement in this journey is the establishment of a 100% women-led assembly line for the E-Luna an industry-first initiative that underscores our unwavering commitment to gender parity and innovation, setting a new benchmark in the automotive manufacturing landscape."

Prega News, India's leading pregnancy detection kit brand from Mankind Pharma, has unveiled its latest Women's Day campaign that addresses the critical issue of societal attitudes towards working mothers. The thought-provoking campaign video titled #shecancarryboth showcases how society often struggles to accept and appreciate women who excel in both their professional and maternal roles. The campaign gains added significance as an Ashoka University report revealed that 73% of Indian women exit their jobs after childbirth and struggle to re-join the workforce. Among those who manage to return to work, 48% drop out within four months of reintegration.

Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), over the years has impacted lives of over 8 Lakh women through various social initiatives. These programs under the core pillars of Earth, Mobility and Hope, are guided by Hyundai’s global direction of Creating Shared Value - ‘CONTINUE’, emphasize long-term positive societal change. HMIF’s diverse initiatives focus on key aspects of social welfare such as healthcare, education, economic independence, and employment generation through upskilling.

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