Quinta NAREDCO Mahi Real Estate

Questo evento annuale riunisce le donne leader del settore immobiliare.

di Shilpa Pandya

The fifth National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) Mahi Real Estate Convention 2026 was held on June 20 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, bringing together women leaders, developers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and industry stakeholders to celebrate five years of NAREDCO Mahi’s journey with enthusiasm and verve in advancing women’s participation and leadership in the real estate sector. Held under the theme “From Impact to Inspiration,” the convention highlighted the critical role of women in driving economic growth, sustainable development and nation-building.

Addressing the gathering, Mansukh Mandaviya, minister of Labor and Employment, said women are not merely stakeholders in India’s growth story but architects of the nation’s future. He firmly stated that the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 cannot be achieved without the full participation, leadership and economic contribution of women across sectors, including real estate.

Mandaviya noted that initiatives such as NAREDCO Mahi have evolved from conversations into impactful movements, creating platforms that empower women professionals, entrepreneurs and changemakers. He highlighted the importance of breaking traditional perceptions about leadership and innovation and creating an ecosystem where women can lead from the front. Mandaviya said:

“Women are not just stakeholders in India’s growth story; they are the architects of it. The journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 requires the active participation, leadership and economic contribution of women in every sphere. When women lead, industries evolve, communities prosper and the nation transforms.”

In his remarks, Mandaviya observed that the convention’s theme aptly reflects the need to challenge limitations and create opportunities for women to contribute meaningfully to India’s development agenda. He appreciated efforts aimed at leadership development, entrepreneurship, sustainability and social impact.

Smita Patil, president, NAREDCO Mahi, reflected on the organization’s five-year journey and its transformation into a nationwide network of women leaders in real estate. She pointed out NAREDCO Mahi’s efforts in skill development, mentorship, entrepreneurship, sustainability and community engagement, stating that empowering women through knowledge and opportunity creates lasting transformation. Patil said:

“Five years ago, NAREDCO Mahi was founded on a simple belief that when women come together, possibilities multiply. What started as an initiative has today become a nationwide movement of women leaders in real estate. We believe women should not merely have a seat at the table; they should help design the table.

“Skills create confidence, confidence creates leadership and leadership creates transformation. Through our initiatives focused on capacity building, sustainability, mentorship and social impact, we are preparing women not only for jobs but for leadership and entrepreneurship.”

The convention also marked the significant five-year milestone for NAREDCO Mahi. Speakers and delegates celebrated the achievements of women leaders who have broken barriers in traditionally male-dominated sectors and inspired future generations to lead with confidence, innovation and purpose.

The event concluded with a collective call to strengthen women’s leadership across industries and reaffirmed the commitment of NAREDCO Mahi toward building an inclusive, sustainable and empowered future for India.

The fifth NAREDCO Mahi Convention was attended by former Union Minister Smriti Irani, who addressed the gathering and spoke at length about the importance of women’s empowerment and the need for greater participation of women in the real estate sector. She emphasized that increasing women’s representation in leadership, entrepreneurship and decision-making roles would be instrumental in accelerating India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047. Her address inspired delegates to continue breaking barriers and creating pathways for future generations of women professionals and entrepreneurs.

The event included the release of a joint report by JLL and NAREDCO Mahi which pointed out that, while women account for nearly half of India’s population and are increasingly influencing housing demand, property ownership and sustainability-led development, only 1-2% of women occupy leadership positions in the country’s real estate sector.

The report, “Building Inclusive Future: Empowering Women in India’s Real Estate Transformation,” highlights that women comprise 48.5% of India’s population but represent only around 10% of the 71-million-person workforce employed in the construction sector, one of the country’s largest employment generators and a key contributor to GDP.

The findings point to a significant leadership gap in an industry that is rapidly evolving through urbanization, digital transformation, ESG adoption and green building practices. While women are increasingly emerging as homebuyers, entrepreneurs, developers, architects, sustainability experts and PropTech professionals, their representation sharply declines at senior management and decision-making levels.

According to the report, women account for nearly 40-45% representation at entry-level positions in several real estate-related professions. However, attrition rises significantly during mid-career stages, resulting in a steep fall in representation at senior management and leadership positions.

Commenting on the report, Patil said:

“Women are no longer participants at the margins of the real estate sector; they are increasingly shaping its future as homebuyers, professionals, entrepreneurs and sustainability champions. However, the industry must now focus on building stronger pathways for leadership through mentorship, skilling, financial inclusion and equal opportunities. Greater participation of women is not only an inclusion imperative but also a business imperative for the future growth of Indian real estate.”

The report notes that despite several policy interventions aimed at encouraging women property owners — including stamp duty concessions, home loan incentives and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) — significant barriers continue to limit women’s progression into leadership roles.

The study also draws attention to the challenges faced by women in the informal construction workforce, where a majority continue to work without adequate social security, childcare support, insurance coverage or structured career advancement opportunities.

At the same time, women are playing an increasingly important role in shaping India’s sustainability agenda. The report highlights their growing contribution to green building certification, ESG implementation, sustainable urban development, PropTech innovation and smart infrastructure planning.

The report also highlights the role of NAREDCO Mahi in promoting women’s participation through leadership development programs, mentorship initiatives, knowledge-sharing platforms, industry networking forums, startup incubation support and international learning exchanges.

It recommends a series of interventions, including transparent pay structures, return-to-work programs, stronger workplace safety mechanisms, childcare support, leadership development initiatives and greater representation of women in decision-making roles.

A Shankar, India head – Government Advisory and Infrastructure Solutions, JLL India, said:

“Meaningful progress in the participation of women in real estate emerges not from isolated gestures but through accumulated actions: comprehensive training programs, structured career pathways, pay equity transparency, childcare support and workplace cultures that recognize diversity. Enabling women’s full participation in real estate transcends equity alone — it represents a strategic pathway toward achieving the Viksit Bharat 2047 goals and India’s aspiration of becoming a US$1 trillion economy.”

According to the report, unlocking the full potential of women across construction sites, corporate offices and boardrooms will be critical to strengthening talent pipelines, improving governance standards and supporting India’s vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047.