• Join forces to promote equality, inclusion and empowerment of Indian women in aviation
Promoting Equality, Inclusion and Empowerment of Indian Women in Aviation

New Delhi. 09 September 2021. In a bid towards the promotion of the sustainable enhancement of inclusion and empowerment of women in the Indian Aviation Industry, WICCI National Aviation Council and The Indian Women’s Pilot Association recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The ceremony was held online and was attended by Harpreet A. De Singh, President of the Indian Women Pilots’ Association and Lynn Frederick Dsouza, National President of the Aviation Council at the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Lynn Frederick Dsouza, National President of the Aviation Council at the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who led the ceremony, said,” There is a pressing need for women in various arenas in aviation to receive the requisite backing and support. Our role in this endeavor will be to establish conversations and transform the scenario by enabling change in national and international governing policies and legislations, schemes, CSR provisions and by building business opportunities and investments supporting women entrepreneurs. Speaking on behalf of the thousands of women employed in aviation in India, we are aware of the capabilities and capacity of women to drive industry. Especially in aviation, we see a huge potential to sustain the evolution and progress. Our work will not only be on ground in support of women entrepreneurs through mentorship and training; we are also in plans to commence talks with Aviation and State authorities to propel the energy forward on a large scale.”

The main objective of this partnership is to encourage and aid the vital exchange and cooperation that will benefit the economic, social, educational, cultural, commercial and industrial activities and ecosystems of innovation, with special focus on women in aviation.

Speaking on the occasion, Harpreet A. De Singh, President of the Indian Women Pilots’ Association / International Women Professionals in Aviation and Aerospace said “We are pleased to be able to lay emphasis on the vital role that women play in any field or industry the world over. IWPA started in 1967 and has contributed immensely to the growth of Women Pilots in particular leading to the highest percentage of Women Pilots in the World.

Said Dr. Harbeen Arora, Founder & President, WICCI,” As a national industry chamber for women, WICCI, through its 900 councils at national, international, state and city levels, welcome partnerships for promoting women’s entrepreneurship and leadership via training mentorship, skill development, etc. Our cross-sectional and massive women’s networks provide a uniquely beneficial platform for women in all sectors to robustly empower and encourage women and collectively address existing inequalities or barriers preventing women from assuming leadership roles especially in the Indian aviation sector, towards creating a better, balanced world for all.”

From the year 2017, IWPA expanded to include Women Engineers, ATC Controllers, Safety and Quality experts and other aviation related professionals, thus broadening the ambit of IWPA. About 12.4% of Indian pilots are women; this is compared to 5.4 % worldwide. With the percentage of female pilots in India being double that in most Western countries, including the United States and Australia, we see a heartening drift towards a more gender-balanced aviation industry. Trends such as these are exactly what we wish to support and see thrive.”