WIM IFC Asia ‘Top50’ Professional and Career Women Awards launched

IFC Corporate Governance Officer Lopa Rahman, Lion Brewery Managing Director Suresh Shah, Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Mangala Yapa, Head of Traffic Police DIG Ajith Rohana, Commercial Bank Deputy Chairman Preethi Jayawardena and Spa Ceylon co-founder Shalin Balasuriya at the Panel

By Divya Thotawatte 

In a bid to recognise Asian women who excel in their careers, businesses and everyday life while inspiring others, the first Asia ‘Top50’ Professional and Career Women Awards was launched recently. 

The Asia Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards is an initiative by Women in Management (WIM) Founder Dr. Sulochana Segera and is backed by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Australian Aid. 

During the awards ceremony, panel discussions on ‘Navigating the Glass Cliff’ and ‘Men in Management’ were held along with the launch of the Asia Top 50 Awards, the celebration of WIM’s 10th anniversary, a ‘Millennial Fashion Show’ and a ‘Real Women Fashion Show’ by Buddhi Batiks. Certificates were presented to the committee of the WIM Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards by the panel of judges. 

Dr. Segera delivering a speech at the event stated: “When we have Top50 Awards in Sri Lanka, we get India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh applying for our awards. But we cannot compare Sri Lanka to other countries. “It’s not just starting franchise, its starting an organisation where you recognise women not only to the country, but to the world. We’re planning to have the Asia Awards in May and it will be hosted in Singapore. Asian women can nominate themselves for the awards under 50 categories.” The Asian Awards would be open to Sri Lankan women too, she said. 

“We’re also celebrating WIM’s 10-year anniversary this year. Being a single mother for 15 years and bringing up my children, I have found my strength of life to give strength to other women and to give value to the concept of family. 

“All the single parents should also understand that you’re just not a person, but a role model to your children. Never give up in life; that is the vision of WIM. It has opened windows to everyone. My vision of starting the Single Mother Project is the same, since I know the struggles of being a single parent,” she explained. 

In a longstanding partnership, IFC and WIM continue to work together in Sri Lanka to provide skill-building and training opportunities for women on corporate boards and who lead, or work in, micro and small businesses. These initiatives are part of IFC’s Women in Work program, supported by the Government of Australia. 

Pix by Upul Abayasekara

From left: Anusha Kodituwakku, Dr. Sulochana Segera and WIP Nalani Kumari Dissanayake