Kochi: The ‘She Power 2025’ women’s conclave, organised by ChannelIAM at The Renai Cochin, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, financial experts, and innovators to offer practical insights on women’s empowerment in a rapidly evolving economic and digital landscape. The day-long event focused on equipping women with the knowledge, tools and confidence needed to thrive as professionals, entrepreneurs, and informed decision-makers.
Inaugurating the conclave, Kerala Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal underlined the state’s strong potential for development growth that can match global benchmarks. He noted that flexible work models such as work-from-home and work-near-home are increasingly encouraging women to step into entrepreneurship.
According to the minister, sectors including food processing and apparel are witnessing notable expansion in Kerala, creating new opportunities for women-led enterprises and self-employment.
The conclave aimed to equip women to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Sessions addressed increasing income, adopting safe investment practices, combating cyber threats, and leveraging artificial intelligence in the workplace.
Financial planning sessions were led by Alex Babu, CMD of Hedge Equities; Kiran Riyas; and Baishakhi Banerjee and Saandeep Agarwal from Axis Bank. Cybersecurity expert Dr. Pattathil Dhanya Menon shared strategies for online safety, while F9 Infotech CEO Jayakumar Mohanachandran and Rajesh Vikraman offered insights on digital security measures.
With digital participation on the rise, cybersecurity emerged as another key theme. Dr. Pattathil Dhanya Menon addressed the growing threat of cybercrime and shared practical strategies for online safety. F9 Infotech CEO Jayakumar Mohanachandran and Rajesh Vikraman further explained digital security measures essential for both individuals and small businesses.
Sessions on women’s physical and mental well-being, along with responsible social media use, were led by Parveen Hafeez, Managing Director of Sunrise Hospital, and Dr. Ranjini Raghavan. Their discussions highlighted the link between health, productivity, and sustainable success.
Entrepreneurship lessons were shared by C.K. Kumaravel, CMD of Naturals Salon, and Shijo K. Thomas, Founder of Oxygen, who spoke on building scalable and resilient ventures. Vivek Krishna Govind presented strategies to enhance women’s participation in digital retail, while Deepu Xavier demonstrated how artificial intelligence tools can support career growth and workplace efficiency. Blaise Noronha offered ideas for starting businesses with minimal investment, making entrepreneurship more accessible.
Adding a cultural and inspirational dimension, a fireside chat featuring singer Abhaya Hiranmayi and journalist Lakshmi Padma stood out as a key highlight. Sreeividya V. Pai also explained various savings schemes structured for women.
ChannelIAM Founder Nisha Krishnan led the event, which saw participation from prominent industrialists, professionals and domain experts. Overall, ‘She Power 2025’ reinforced the message that informed choices, digital awareness and entrepreneurial thinking are central to empowering women in today’s fast-changing world.
