ONGC commits to gender parity on International Women's Day

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) today reaffirmed its commitment to become a role model of gender parity in the corporate world, as the company celebrated International Women's Day across all its workcenters.

ONGC's lady officers are working across the country and abroad in difficult terrains very successfully to ensure the nation's quest for energy independence.

Shashi Shanker, CMD-ONGC reiterated the organisation's commitment towards creating an inclusive environment to foster gender parity.

He said that ONGC is committed to be a change leader in the corporate realm to ensure gender parity. He also lauded the role of lady officers for contributing in a big way towards ONGC's success story, and breaching the barriers of remoteness and geography.

D D Misra, Director (Human Resources), spoke about the management's vision to become an Equal Opportunity Employer in all its endeavours.

"Last year, ONGC became the first corporate to scale the Everest. Two lady officers were integral part of the success of this expedition and this speaks volumes of the leadership abilities of our women employees", he said.

Misra added that ONGC is committed to become the Best Place to Work for Women in India and that several benchmark initiatives have been taken in this direction.

Rajesh Kakkar, Director (Offshore), said ONGC has been at the forefront in encouraging women to move forward without fear or discrimination and the lady officers working in offshore platforms are testimony to ONGC's resolve.

He also added that the company is committed to bringing about gender diversity in teams, supporting women in their dual roles at home and work and nurturing a culture of respect and inclusivity in ONGC.

A K Dwivedi, Director (Exploration), exhorted the need for reducing the gender gap to enhance the pace of progress.

He also added that as industry leader, ONGC is conscious of its responsibility in setting a benchmark in gender equality, with positive steps being taken in the organization to empower women energy soldiers as they march alongside their male counterparts in the quest for energy security of the country.

Women have made a mark in scripting success stories at ONGC, which has become a benchmark in the industry.

ONGCian Harshini Kanhekar became the first woman fire fighter of the country. Lt Shilpy Gargmukh became India's first lady Territorial Army officer in 2016. Another ONGCian Monty Rajkhowa, who was part of the first corporate expedition to the Mount Everest scaled to a height of 8000m till the Camp 4.

Many ONGC lady officers have broken the glass ceiling and are working in offshore platforms and difficult terrains successfully.