The history of International Women’s Day is intertwined with industrial incidents. Modern celebration of International Women’s Day traces its origin from an Industrial incident that occurred on 25 Mar 1911, in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City USA, in which 146 women workers lost their lives in an industrial fire. These young women were engaged in production of women’s blouses or ‘Shirtwaists’ in the factory. They worked in desperate conditions for long hours and had no say over their working conditions. One night a massive fire erupted on their shop floor which led to disastrous consequences. Trapped behind locked doors and just out of reach of firefighter’s ladders and in a condition when fire escape collapsed under the weight of fleeing young women, they were either burned to death or died desperately trying to escape flames by leaping from the ninth floor of the building.

The impact of the incident is still felt around the world, and it gave emphasis to international solidarity for safe working environments and recognising enhanced women’s involvement in the workplace. Even after the completion of a century post the incident there are still opportunities to leverage women’s strengths and perspectives.

The worldwide infrastructure, energy, logistics, and manufacturing sectors have historically been dominated by men. However, over the past two decades, women have significantly increased their presence in the workplace due to supportive policies, prevention strategies, and the availability of specialised tools and equipment designed to address musculoskeletal issues. Additionally, the integration of flexible shifts has contributed to this progress. Technological innovations and societal shifts have further empowered women to participate in diverse roles and responsibilities within these industries. The next crucial step in this progression is to recognise women as catalysts for change in business and society.

Women with their societal role as – mother, spouse, sister and daughter, also bring unique abilities in the workplace by establishing deep and emotional connect with family members to influence safe behaviours when they are at respective workplaces. Their collaborative approach and empathetic communication create an environment of learning, understanding and reinforcing safe behaviours and habits.

At Adani Group, we are proud to witness a remarkable increase in the participation of women within our organisation over the past few years. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we want to invite our talented female colleagues to embrace leadership roles in promoting safety initiatives. By stepping forward and actively engaging in safety discussions and programs, women can play a vital role in fostering a culture of safety among their peers. This increased visibility and involvement will not only help reinforce essential safe behaviours but also contribute significantly to enhancing overall productivity within our workplace. Together, we can build a positive safety culture that empowers everyone to prioritise their well-being and that of their colleagues, ultimately creating a safer and more efficient work environment for all.

The writer is Head, Group Safety.