As the COO – Digital Media, Radio City and Mid-day, Rachna Kanwar has a diverse portfolio comprising of Radio City Digital, Midday Digital, Content Syndication and Integrated Media Solutions. She brings with her more than 2 and a half decades of rich experience in the Media and Entertainment industry spanning Digital Media, Radio, TV & Documentary Films. She is credited with building Radiocity Digital into India’s first & leading online radio network with over 18 channels and a formidable presence on leading Social Media platforms with millions of hours of original content and strategic alliances with numerous international organizations.
Diane Mariechild famously said, ‘A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform’. Women are all this and more. They are the true creators of the universe.
Starting with our mothers at home to some truly powerful women icons, we are blessed to have experienced this force. In India, we have witnessed some remarkable women in every field of life constantly breaking barriers across sectors and paving new paths for the next generations of women business leaders.
Speaking about the radio industry, it is an ecosystem driven largely by women leaders who are at the forefront of developing new age ideas to help the medium to stay relevant and relatable to the next generation of listeners. A report titled “Gender Inequality in Indian Media” by Newslaundry in partnership with UN Women highlighted that gender inequality persists across multiple media and broadcasting platforms. Hearteningly, the report also stated that the radio industry and digital media enjoyed an equitably equitable gender representation.
India’s radio industry continues to gain tremendously, thanks to the women icons who have been instrumental in introducing innovative offerings to the medium. The radio industry is a burgeoning sector with an estimated market size projected to be around 44 billion rupees by 2024. It encourages the cultural, social, political, and economic development of the country and empowers women listeners by providing them with not just relevant information and tips but also allowing them to learn, upskill and take charge.
As a leading FM radio channel in India, Radio City has always encouraged gender parity and it offers equal opportunities to men and women based on qualification. Radio City has been recognized as one of India’s Best Workplaces for Women in 2019 as well as ranked 4th in ‘Best Large Workplaces in Asia’ in 2020, according to the ‘Great Places To Work’ survey and thus continues to adhere to the gender equality policies. Radio City has always believed in having strong women leaders who act as role models for women employees. They also help in providing a more empathetic environment which is required at certain delicate stages of a woman employee’s career.
There are, however, some sectors and workplaces that are not as committed to diversity & inclusion and gender parity continues to be an unresolved issue. Organizations need to understand that gender diversity is hugely beneficial. Research shows that a gender diverse company enjoys higher revenue growth and employee retention. This is simply because women are juggling multiple roles, they have a natural and learnt ability to view differing viewpoints and are able to offer inventive solutions to problems.
As we gear up to celebrate International Women’s Day, Radio City has once again become a vehicle for addressing the issue of gender parity. We have launched various campaigns across the country such as #WithoutHer, #GaadiTeriBehanChalaegi, Wonder Woman of Vadodara Awards, Radio City Change Maker Awards to celebrate the triumphs of women and build the narrative of inclusion and empowerment.
To conclude, with more and more women leaders in the radio and media industry, there is a higher possibility of promoting cohesive development of women in the workforce. There are multiple examples of women who are working assiduously to address this issue in our country and empower the voiceless by giving them a voice.
I sign off with a quote from an inspirational woman from another time, but nonetheless relevant to us womenfolk even today, “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less- Marie Curie”.
Happy Women’s Day!