Unilever helps undergraduate women in Sri Lanka build careers

Wednesday, 1 February 2012 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Unilever Sri Lanka together with the Sri Lanka Federation for University Women today launched their project ‘Building Career Women of Sri Lanka’ at the auditorium of the Sri Lanka Federation of University Women.

Aimed at empowering undergraduate women with skills that would give them the edge to compete in the job market, this six month long initiative is in line with Unilever’s commitment to develop leadership among women in Sri Lanka.

At the launch of ‘Building Career Women of Sri Lanka’ Col. Dr. Udula Krishnaratne, the Head of the Sri Lanka Federation for University Women (SLFUW), spoke about the difficulties that women sometimes have to face in the professional arena, and the need for them to be encouraged and equipped to deal with these challenges. She also thanked Unilever for supporting the SLFUW in their cause of developing undergraduate women in Sri Lanka.

Also speaking at the event, Ramani Samarasundera, Marketing Director at Unilever Sri Lanka, highlighted the inherent qualities of women that make them great leaders in the corporate world.

Using the metaphor of the lotus, Samarasundera said women have the same strength, perseverance, adaptability, resourcefulness, and beauty that allow them to survive all odds and flourish despite its circumstances. She also emphasised how these qualities enable women to balance life with career.

Director Human Resources, Unilever Sri Lanka, Sanadamali Perera spoke about the key qualities that make for a successful woman in the work place, having the requisite knowledge and competencies, leadership skills, the ability to compete and push boundaries, and a profile of what makes one different from others.

Gayani De Alwis, Customer Service Director, Unilever Sri Lanka, spoke of her 17 years of experience working in historically male dominant work roles of R&D, Quality Assurance and Supply Chain and Logistics. She encouraged women to have the “can do” attitude and take on challenges that may seem daunting.

The Building Career Women of Sri Lanka initiative aims to educate, enhance and support the development of undergraduate women from local universities on employability skills. The programme includes workshops on leadership, team building, presentation skills, communication skills, facing interviews and presenting credible curriculum vitae.

Unilever Sri Lanka is one of the biggest FMCG companies in Sri Lanka with a diverse portfolio of categories ranging from homecare, oral hygiene, personal care to food solutions. Unilever Sri Lanka produces 95% of its products locally with a 75 year long manufacturing presence with Sunlight, Lux and Pears Rose.

Today it has a portfolio of 28 brands that are market leaders in the respective categories. Furthermore, Unilever Sri Lanka was ranked as the fourth most respected entity in Sri Lanka by LMD in 2011 and also ranked the number one employer amongst undergraduates in a recent independent study published by TNS.