Women’s Day Special Boardroom Insights Webinar Highlights the Role of Boards in Advancing Rights, Justice and Leadership
Board Stewardship hosted a special Women’s Day edition of its March 2026 Boardroom Insights Live Webinar on March 6, bringing together board leaders, governance experts, and industry practitioners to deliberate on the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women & Girls.” The session explored how corporate Boards can embed justice in governance and expand pathways for women’s leadership.
Opening the session, Vikesh Wallia, Managing Director & Editor, Board Stewardship, welcomed participants and set the context for the discussions around the evolving expectations from Boards to lead responsibly in advancing inclusive and ethical governance. “Boardrooms today carry a far greater responsibility than oversight alone. They must consciously embed rights, justice, and inclusive leadership into the way decisions are made, ensuring that governance frameworks translate into meaningful opportunities and impact for women across organisations and society,” he said.
Delivering the inaugural address, Shailesh Haribhakti, Non-Executive Chairman and Independent Director on multiple boards, highlighted the growing role of technology in enabling fairness in governance. Referring to the rise of Agentic AI, he observed its potential to support more objective decision-making in boardrooms and reduce bias when used responsibly.
The first panel discussion, “From Policy to Power: Embedding Rights & Justice in Boardroom Decision,” reflected on the board’s role in translating governance frameworks into measurable impact.
P.H. Vijaya Deepti, Board Member on multiple companies and NGOs, emphasised that embedding justice requires continuous organisational commitment. “Regulation to policies to implementation to evaluation to improvement is a continuous cycle which an organisation needs to embark on,” she noted. She also highlighted the need for boards to reflect on deeper governance questions: “Is the organisation comfortable with compliance, or does it aspire to excel? To embed justice, the Board must ask the right questions rooted in human rights and dignity.”
Adding to the discussion, Mala Sharma, Founder Director, Qualitatva Consulting, observed that meaningful change in governance occurs when competence drives leadership decisions. “The journey from policy to power becomes meaningful when boardrooms amplify women’s voices not for gender alone, but for the competence, insight, and leadership they bring,” she said. She concluded with a powerful reflection: “Real power in the boardroom begins the day competence outweighs familiarity in director selection.”
The discussion also addressed the shift from shareholder primacy to stakeholder governance, where people and the planet are recognised as central pillars of responsible business.
The second panel, “Rights to Resource: How Boards Can Advance Economic Justice for Women at Scale,” featured Shantha Maheswari Sekhar, Independent Director, Board Advisor Global Business Technology Executive Leader; Dr. Shobha Shridhar, Corporate Governance Consultant, Academician, Practicing Company Secretary; and Alok Jha, Global CEO, IPS Ltd., who shared insights on how Boards can create enabling structures for women’s economic participation. The panel emphasised the need for bold Boards that elevate mindsets and institutionalise leadership opportunities for women across organisational functions. Panelists noted that Boards must go beyond compliance frameworks. “Systems and processes must ensure that economic justice is consciously pursued beyond a compliance or tick-box approach,” the panel observed.
They also highlighted the role of leadership by example. “Self-reliant and role-model actions by Boards can help organisations meet people where they are across villages, towns, and metros and integrate CSR initiatives in ways that better manage resources while uplifting women and ensuring accountability for outcomes.”
The panel further emphasised the transformative potential of technology. “Digitalisation and AI can act as powerful equalisers, but organisations must create actionable systems and processes that enable women’s talent growth, expand access to opportunities, and encourage innovation.”
Summing up the spirit of the discussion, the panel reiterated a collective commitment to leadership that lifts others. “Our commitment to action is simple: lift as you rise. Empower her, empower all.”
The final panel, “The Right to Lead: Reimagining Board Pathways for Women”, examined how organisations can move from representation to real influence in boardrooms.
Sharada Sunder, Independent Director and Leadership Coach, reflected on the broader ecosystem required for women’s leadership. “The discussion brought candid perspectives on what can shift the ecosystem from limited access to a thriving environment of equal opportunities,” she noted, adding that capability is not the barrier but the need for systems that allow that capability to shine.
Aabha Chawhan, Head Client Leadership, WPP Media, highlighted that the conversation has evolved beyond representation. “For years, the goal was getting women a seat at the table. Today, the conversation is about ensuring they have the influence and structural support to shape the future.”
She added that “the pipeline isn’t the problem; our leadership lens is often too narrow. When equal representation is embraced, diversity becomes a strategic advantage.”
Reflecting on the broader journey of women in leadership, Sheela Arvind, Independent Director on multiple Boards, remarked, “Reaching the boardroom is only the start. True leadership requires being vocal and making one’s presence felt. Two decades ago, we were a spark, today, we are the engine.”
The Women’s Day Special Webinar reaffirmed Board Stewardship’s commitment to encouraging informed dialogue and encouraging boards to move beyond compliance toward meaningful action that advances justice, equity, and inclusive leadership.
