Ardh-Narishwara: A strategy for inclusion Ardhanarishwara’ is a concept in Hinduism which depicts one of the manifestations of Lord Shiva. As per this concept Lord Shiva draws the feminine into his own self.

1. WOMEN IN PUBLIC SECTOR (WIPS)
23rd NATIONAL CONVENTION
Ardh-Narishwara
A strategy for inclusion
Dr. SUNITA CHUGH
www.onlastmile.com

2. WIPS
Gender = Women ?
Biological --- Sociological---Psychological
2
One way of looking at gender inclusion in organisations is
more women must be there. Women ratios must be
improved. I am challenging that … I am questioning that.. Do
we need more number of women in organisations..or do
we need more femininity in organisations. to
balance organisations we need more woman power.
To balance organisations we need more feminine energy.
Dr SUNITA CHUGH

3. WIPS
What is Inclusion?
A practice of ensuring that people in organizations
feel they belong.
3
Belong? What do you belong to?
Is the ability to belong a developable Traits or a skills
When do you belong to something?
When are you separate from something?
Dr SUNITA CHUGH

4. WIPS
What are various barriers
to Inclusion?
4
Current Gender Inclusion strategy
Transfers & Postings, timings, recruitment
policies, sexual harassment, leave, childcare
facilities, pay packages, work-life balance
etc.
Dr SUNITA CHUGH

5. WIPS
Can Ardh-narishwara be a strategy
for inclusion ?
Can it be an organizational remedy
for various barriers to Inclusion ?
5
Dr SUNITA CHUGH

6. WIPS
ANDROGYNY
What is Psychological Androgyny.
6
Ardhanarishwara:
[ the Lord Who is Half Woman in Indian Mythology. ]
Related to psychological Traits and not physical skills :
[ traits such as ambition and confidence, not behaviors or
skills such as wood chopping and cooking. ]
Dr SUNITA CHUGH

7. WIPS
Dr.SUNITA CHUGH
ARDH-NARISHWARA 7
‘Ardhanarishwara’ is a concept in Hinduism
which depicts one of the manifestations of
Lord Shiva.
As per this concept Lord Shiva draws the
feminine into his own self.
The word ‘Ardhanarishwara’ in Sanskrit is
best translated as ‘the Lord who is half
woman’ and not ‘half man/half woman’.
Lord Shiva is shown as the right half with
his consort Goddess Parvathi constituting
the left half.

8. WIPS
Dr. SUNITA CHUGH
ARDH-NARISHWARA 8
As per ‘Samkhya philosophy’ ‘Purusha’ (male energy) and ‘Prakriti’
(female energy) together make cosmic energy.
The Union of ‘Purusha’ and ‘Prakriti’ produce human life. Thus
humans are a combination of the two.
The production of female and male hormones in our body, keep
our personalities and bodies in balance. The ultimate power of the
universe is both feminine and masculine.
The differences are brought together in the beautifully conceived
form of ‘Ardhanarishwara’.
What does this signify?

9. WIPS
Dr. SUNITA CHUGH
This philosophy places gender on equal terms without question
and has evolved to strike a balance in the universe.
It has been proved that the left side of the brain controls the right
side of the body and vice versa.
Can we assume the same rule applies to the ‘Ardhanarishwara’
form too?
This balance of masculine energy and feminine energy is the key
signal for each one of us, for each one of our organisations.
ARDH-NARISHWARA 9
What does this signal to us?

10. WIPS
Dr.SUNITA CHUGH
LEFT & RIGHT BRAIN 10
LEFT RIGHT
Language skills Insight
Numerical Counting 3D Visualisation
Reason/Logic Art/Music
Analytical and Scientific Skills Imagination
Control of the right side of the body Control of the left side of the body

11. WIPS
Dr.SUNITA CHUGH
Masculine & Feminine ENERGY 11
MASCULINE (M)
Strong personality
Forceful
Dominant
Aggressive
Competitive
Speaking
Doing/Giving
Building
FEMININE (F)
Affectionate
Understanding
Loyal
Sensitive
Compassionate
Soft-spoken
Listening
Receiving
Maintaining

12. WIPS
Dr. SUNITA CHUGH
YOUR POWERFUL BALANCE 12
Be balanced. Ardh narishwara.
Both Masculinity & Femininity.
Ardh narishwara -to maintain a physical &
mental balance.
Tap your feminine selves to find more of your
self.

13. WIPS
Dr.SUNITA CHUGH
ORGANISATIONAL BALANCE 13
Employees at workplace and leaders in particular
need to explore and retain both their masculine and
feminine aspects.
This will ensure a much needed balance with no
dominance from either sex.
To humanize organizations we must draw with
equal ease from both : masculine & feminine energy.
Feminization of the organizations is not only
through hiring more women managers /leaders but
through containing their feminine energy.

14. DR. SUNITA CHUGH
www.onlastmile.com