At StartUp Terminal, we believe our diversity is our strength. Today, on the occasion of International Woman’s Day, we celebrate the achievements of women around the world.
To kick off our celebration, we’ve asked Mumbai-based Dr. Swati Choudhary, Doctor, Medical Advisor, few questions on her experience achieving success in the field of healthcare, and what advice she has for women entering the workforce today.
Excerpts:
ST: Please tell us briefly about you.
Dr. Swati Choudhary: I’m a doctor by profession and also a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister and citizen of India. Trying to play all these roles along with taking care of myself. Being a mother is a recent addition to the list, so I’m still learning on this front! On my professional front, I work with a Pharma giant to provide drugs to the needy ones, rationally, ethically and try to make sure the prescriber knows in and out about the drug before he or she prescribes it.
ST: Who is a woman that inspires you the most and why?
Dr. Swati Choudhary: Kiran Mazumdar Shaw- Chairperson an MD of Biocon. She inspires me as she believes in finding a different path and not just trying to do what others are doing, I find her very courageous.
ST: How are you celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day?
Dr. Swati Choudhary: I’m working closely with NGOs to educate underprivileged women about hygiene, self-care and importance of use of using sanitary pads.
ST: What is the most important message you want to send out to all the women around the world on this occasion?
Dr. Swati Choudhary: Try to find yourself and once you do, be yourself. Do not succumb to circumstances, it’s never been easy, it never will be. Never give up. You are the creator of life and more powerful than you think. Tap in all those energies, channelise them and be your best version.
ST: What according to you is ‘women empowerment’?
Dr. Swati Choudhary: When women are equipped and allowed to make life-determining decisions for themselves and contribute in decision making not only at home but even in workplace and every sphere of life.
ST: What would you say are the main challenges facing women at present globally?
Dr. Swati Choudhary: Although world is becoming a better place, with the number of educated women increasing, but I still feel they face a number of issues, some of them being economic inequality, gender apartheid, access to equal opportunity and sexual harassment.
(Email us: editorial@startupterminal.com)