Waste management in South and Southeast Asia is dominated by the informal sector and women make up a disproportionate percentage of these workers. To ensure gender equality across the value chain, more must be done to uplift the informal workforce. In Episode 3, Gender Smart speaks to Ekta Narain, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Recykal, an online circular economy marketplace that provides end-to-end digital solutions to connect waste generators, processors, recyclers and brand owners.
Ekta discusses the challenges faced by women in waste management and recycling, how Recykal is seeking to formalize the industry in India to deliver equal opportunities across the supply chain, and shares her advice for businesses advancing gender empowerment.
“At our (business) level, we should identify areas where women are seeking support and ensure the right platform is created for them to show their skills and talent.” - Ekta Narain