Taking their commitment to gender equality to a new height, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has decided to convert one of its luxury hotels, Taj Wellington Mews in Chennai into an all-woman managed hotel. Coinciding with the Women’s Day celebrations, this announcement by the company will make the hotel the first all-women managed hotel in the South Asia region.

The all residences hotel with 112 units is strategically located in the Old Mahabalipuram-IT corridor of Chennai.. Including the General Manager, the hotel will be managed by a team of 100 women staff across all operations and other departments. In addition to providing growth opportunities for women employees within the Company, the property will also generate employment locally.

Speaking on the occasion, Rakhee Lalvani, Vice President – Public Relations and Corporate Communications, IHCL, said, “Women at IHCL have played a very vital role in the organisation with their contribution and by pushing boundaries. The upcoming Taj Wellington Mews, Chennai managed by an all-women team is indeed a proud moment for all of us, and testament to the Group’s commitment towards improving the gender balance in the organization with a vibrant workforce and by providing equal opportunities to women across roles and positions.”

The organisation has taken many strides to foster gender equality, both, within and outside the organisation. Several progressive policies like extended maternity leave, compulsory crèche facilities, an expense reimbursement for family expansion including IVF treatments, and skilling women in the under-served communities and regions to improve their participation in the workforce have been implemented successfully.