On Monday March 10, Asian Voice in association with the Royal Air Force marked International Women’s Day at the fifth annual Women in Conversation panel discussion around the theme "Accelerate Action." The event was held at the Taj, London and included networking and a panel discussion. It was attended by women from diverse professions and backgrounds.
CB Patel, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar was present among the distinguished audience. Group Captain Gareth Taylor and Squadron Leader Amir Khan were present along with a team of RAF personnel in uniform.
Rupanjana Dutta, Managing Editor of Asian Voice hosted the event on behalf of Asian Business Publications Limited (ABPL). She highlighted the significant contribution of several women to the rich history of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar for over fifty years.
Group Captain Garrett Taylor on empowering women in the RAF
In his address, Group Captain Garrett Taylor thanked Mr. CB Patel for his continued support through the ongoing partnership between Asian Voice and the RAF.
He reflected on his role as a basketball coach, mentoring young girls, and highlighted the parallels between sports and skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork.
He also highlighted the Royal Air Force's active promotion of gender equality, with women working alongside their male counterparts. "In 2017, all roles were opened to all genders, and since then, we've seen a steady increase in representation. It’s something we aim to continue fostering at a rapid pace."
He emphasized that the RAF is a meritocracy, inclusive and socially open, ensuring that all talents are effectively utilized.
Panellists discuss the next step towards ‘Accelerating Action’
Following Captain Taylor’s address, the panellists, moderated by Mamta Saha, a Facilitator, Executive Coach, and DEI Learning and Development expert, explored what Accelerate Action means to them.
The panel included Dr Shriti Pattani OBE, National Clinical Expert in Occupational Health and Wellbeing for NHS England; Shalina Patel, Head of Teaching and Learning at Claremont High School Academy; and Meenal Sachdev, Councillor at Hertsmere Borough Council, Chair of the Fairness and Legitimacy Panel for Hertfordshire Police, and Founder & Director of the Shiva Foundation.
For Dr. Pattani, Accelerate Action is about women stepping forward with confidence, believing in their worth, and taking action. She expressed hope that, just as we look back at women in history with gratitude, future generations will do the same for us.
Meenal highlighted the need for meaningful steps—going beyond education and awareness to focus on governance, frameworks, legalities, and inter-sector collaborations, ensuring that responsibility for change is shared by all.
The panellists also addressed breaking the glass ceiling for future generations. Shalina stressed the importance of lifting others up, using one’s own achievements to empower more women. Meenal added that dismantling self-doubt and questioning internalised beliefs is crucial. Dr Pattani reinforced the need to create space for others to grow, while also tackling unconscious bias against women.
Additionally, they reflected on their personal journeys, discussing the significance of setting boundaries, especially in a world where many women struggle to do so, and the intentionality required in raising the next generation to lead with confidence and purpose.
Audience participation in the conversation
The audience’s interaction with the panellists brought out several important aspects of the conversation on gender equality.
One audience member raised the issue of women shutting doors for other women instead of helping them move forward. In response, Dr Pattani acknowledged this unfortunate reality, emphasising that while it cannot change overnight, individuals can ensure they are not the ones closing those doors. Instead, they should focus on extending the ladder for the next generation of women to climb.
When asked about creating lasting change for future generations, Meenal highlighted the importance of subtly shifting societal norms. She stressed that gender equality should become ingrained in the next generation as a norm rather than being framed as a solution to a problem. Shalina added that it is crucial to examine what young people are exposed to in today’s digital world and whether they are receiving the right messages from the content they consume.
On the topic of equity within equality, Shalina emphasised that efforts must be genuine rather than tokenistic. She cautioned against performative gestures that lack real impact, urging a focus on meaningful change.
The panellists also addressed questions on setting and enforcing boundaries, what makes women stronger, and the key steps needed to empower women. Their insights reinforced the importance of intentional actions, support systems, and advocacy in achieving gender equality.
Vote of thanks and message from CB Patel
In his message and vote of thanks, CB Patel, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, expressed his optimism and appreciation following the discussion. "As we all know, tensions and challenges exist in different parts of the world today. However, after this insightful session, I feel confident, happy, and optimistic about the future—whether in the UK or worldwide.”
