Women Empowerment through Corporate Social Responsibility - The Role of Indian Commercial Banks

Abstract

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities have started since 1990s now has become a medium for most of Indian corporate to contribute to inclusive growth of Indian society. Now the companies are participating actively in CSR initiatives by spending 2-5 per cent of their net profits. The new Companies Bill also made it compulsory to spend 2 per cent of net profit of the company towards CSR activities. Consequent to the decision, the Indian Corporate have shifted their focus beyond traditional activities. The present paper focuses on how CSR extends beyond the traditional business to encompass new governmental and social drivers and emphasised on the gender content of CSR in banking sector for the inclusive growth since development and empowerment of women ultimately imperative for the inclusive growth of the nation. The study also emphasised on the comparison of CSR content among different ownership patterns of Indian Commercial Banks in the era of competitive globalisation towards inclusive growth.