In a world that increasingly recognizes the power of women as changemakers, ITC has always been committed to fostering gender equity and women empowerment. With its presence spanning diverse businesses, operations, initiatives and regions, ITC provides unique opportunities for women to contribute across myriad touchpoints. This International Women’s Day, ITC launches the #HerStory campaign—a testament to its unwavering focus on Nari Shakti (women’s power) as a catalyst for socio-economic progress. From laboratories to rural landscapes, factory shopfloors to corporate roles, ITC’s #HerStory campaign amplifies the voices of women who have broken barriers and reshaped industries through their resilience, skills, and leadership. Starting with an inspiring video on contribution of women scientists to innovation at the ITC Life Sciences and Technology Centre, (LSTC) Bengaluru, the campaign series envisages to celebrate the contribution of women in diverse roles including in manufacturing, distribution and agriculture, whilst showcasing the resilience of rural women in overcoming diverse challenges, as a part of ITC’s multidimensional social investment programme. The campaign will be amplified across ITC’s social media platforms including LinkedIn, Instagram, X, YouTube and its Whatsapp Channel.
Driving Inclusion Across Shopfloors and Innovation Centres
ITC has spearheaded impactful initiatives for women empowerment across key operations. With a workforce increasingly enriched by women, ITC’s FMCG manufacturing units in Mysuru, Medak, and Pudukkottai have pioneered the inclusion of women in shopfloor roles. The Pudukkottai facility in Tamil Nadu, with a 67% women workforce, and the Khordha factory in Odisha with 100% women operators are shining examples of how the company is rewriting the script of gender diversity in the industrial sector.
Beyond the confines of its factories, ITC has made significant strides in ensuring women participation in Research & Development. With over 150 women scientists and nearly 47% gender diversity at its Life Sciences and Technology Centre (LSTC), the company is proactively addressing the global challenge of women’s underrepresentation in STEM fields. Going forward, ITC LSTC aspires to set new industry benchmarks for inclusivity in scientific research.
Empowering Women in Farming
ITC has an unwavering resolve to support women farmers as rural changemakers. Through its ITCMAARS initiative, the company has helped establish over 1700 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), with the FPOs ensuring at least one woman director on its board. Additionally, ITC has facilitated the formation of 25 all-women FPOs, empowering over 7,500 women farmers and enabling them to drive sustainable agri-business enterprises.
ITC’s Women Managed Agri-Business Centres (WMABCs) have transformed over 6000 rural women from 12 states into entrepreneurs, fostering independence through skills in nursery development, agri-equipment hiring, and compost production. These initiatives are not just uplifting individuals; they are reshaping entire communities by fostering financial self-reliance and strengthening rural economies.
Social Ventures
ITC’s women empowerment programme, at the grassroots, is premised on four pillars – SHG Linkages, Financial Literacy, Social Security and Livelihood. The programme has been designed to provide a range of gainful entrepreneurial opportunities to rural women and supported with financial assistance by way of loans and grants. Strong market linkages are initiated to ensure long-term sustenance. Till date over 6 million women have been reached out through various interventions like SHGs, Financial Literacy, and Microenterprise; Education and Skilling; Climate Smart Agriculture and Natural Resource Management; Waste Management and Health & Nutrition.
A special focus has been placed on ‘ultra-poor’ women—those living in extreme poverty, often as sole earners in their families. Through skill training and financial assistance, these women have seen their incomes multiply, lifting them out of economic distress and enabling them to lead businesses with confidence.
Fostering an Inclusive workplace
At ITC, inclusion extends beyond mere employment. The company’s diversity-focused recruitment ensures that nearly 50% of its management trainees and interns are women, preparing them to take on key roles within the organization.
ITC’s progressive policies ensure that women employees are supported through every life stage. With initiatives such as flexible work arrangements for new mothers, extended maternity leave, and travel support for young children along with caregivers, ITC fosters an environment where women can balance their personal and professional aspirations seamlessly.
The Road Ahead: A Future Built on Equity and Opportunity
As ITC’s #HerStory campaign unfolds, it reinforces a powerful message—that true progress lies in enabling women to thrive, not just within corporate corridors but across the fields, factories, and communities they touch. Through this initiative, ITC is not just celebrating individual achievements but reinforcing its role as a champion of an equitable future.