WIM celebrates decade of work in Sri Lanka

Tuesday, 22 October 2019 01:28 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Women in Management (WIM) celebrated its 10th anniversary under the theme ‘Creating Impact’. 

WIM ExCo Secretary Kushlani Perera said: “It is a decade long journey. WIM has brought change to women networking and women’s empowerment. WIM became the role model for many women’s organisations in Sri Lanka. Within a decade of passionate work, WIM has been able to make a positive change in attitudes and mind-sets of men and women in this country.”

WIM Director Administration Nilam Samsudeen said: “We strongly believe that gender equality is not only about women, it is also about men and women having their own space to enjoy the benefits of being human in spite of their gender.”

Under the theme of ‘Creating Impact’, WIM conducted a forum for the first time in Sinhala in the corporate sector. The topic was ‘Navigating the glass cliff’, which was moderated by Dr. Sulochana Segera and the panellists were Sri Lanka female boxer and WIM Top50 Award Winner in the Sports Category 2018 Anusha Koddithuwakku and Criminal Investigation Department WIP Nalani Kumari Dissanayake, who was the WIM Top50 Award Winner in the Defence and Civil Category 2019.

WIM ExCo Member Summaiya Macan Mackar said: “Our founder Dr. Segera, who believed that women should have equal opportunities despite of their race, religion, cast, marital status, etc., ensured WIM opens doors for women to receive membership and be comfortable with their own selves while being professional. It was one of the values that WIM practiced.”

Expressing her thoughts as WIM celebrates a decade in service, WIM Chairperson Dr. Sulochana Segera said: “We cannot be the change maker if we do not embrace the millennials and the men in our journey. As a mother, I believe our sons and daughters should receive equal opportunities in the personal, career and social space. It is also time that we stop the blame game and start including men in our programs. 

“Men are not the enemies of our journey. They are supporters. To change the stereotype we started including millennial discussions and male only panels to speak on women in business and their career obstacles. To press on that while we celebrated our 10th year, we had a Millennial Fashion Show, couture by Buddhi Battiks, while British Cosmetics sponsored the hair and makeup. 

“We also had a Men in Management forum moderated by South Asia IFC Corporate Governance Officer Lopa Rahaman, with the participation of DIG Ajith Rohana, Commercial Bank Vice Chairman Preethi Jayawardena, Lion Brewery MD Suresh K. Shah, Spa Ceylon Co-Founder Shalin Balasuriya and BOI Chairman Magala Yapa.”

WIM ExCo Treasurer Vijitha Samarakkodige explained that WIM is an organisation for women to learn about leadership and teamwork. She stressed that WIM practiced values than rules. “Rules are to be broken but values are to be carried with pride. We practice leadership with our projects and work. We are allowed to learn and opportunities are given to everyone.”

One of the key highlights in the celebration was the ‘Real Women’ Fashion Show which saw the participation of six WIM Top50 corporate leaders. Aruni Rajakaruna, Anoji de Silva, Anusha David, Shankia Ranaweera, Gayani De Alwis and Dhashma Karunarathna walked the ramp wearing designs by Buddhi Batiks, while hair and makeup was done by British Cosmetics.

 

In conclusion of the celebratory events, WIM Past ExCo President and one of the models at the WIM Fashion Show Shanika Ranaweera said: “We are mentored to brand ourselves for us to lead our own careers and businesses. We were told many time by our Chairperson that ‘Designations retire, but not your personal brand’ and that ‘It is you who can put an expiry date to your own brand’.”

Creating Impact was held on 4 October at Shangri-La Hotel Colombo in partnership with IFC and the Government of Australia. 

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