REDLAND Bay resident Becky Paroz is set to speak at a global economic forum in India.
After being named in YMag's list of Top Ten Women to Watch in 2019, Ms Paroz was chosen as an Australian delegate for the Women's Economic Forum in New Delhi.
"It's great to have a chance to be part of India's economic growth, especially in reference to women," she said.
More than 2000 women from 120 countries are expected to attend the forum in April.
"I am super excited to be a part of this global initiative as well as having three speaking spots over the course of a few days," Ms Paroz said.
Having worked in the engineering, building and construction industry for three decades, Ms Paroz said she was familiar with the struggles of women living and working in a male-dominated world.
"I was one of 10 women in a course with 600 men," she said.
"There was no mentoring (and) no programs to help us and even 30 years later, there is still not a lot of women in those fields."
It was this need for support that led Ms Paroz to write her book Words of Bek, which was published in 2018.
The book includes personal anecdotes and advice, and also draws on Ms Paroz's past struggles, including growing up around domestic violence and being diagnosed with a chronic illness as a teenager.
"I couldn't find the book that I wanted to help me, so I wrote it," she said.
"There's not a lot of good solid advice for women outside traditional roles.
"Back when I was growing up and going through what I went through, these things weren't really spoken about.
"I want to raise awareness and make people comfortable talking about what they're experiencing."
Ms Paroz will speak about topics including mentoring, success and storytelling across three presentations during the Women's Economic Forum.
The forum will be held from April 11 to 16.