Ladies VIP Night event in March to call to action for accelerating women’s equality

The Ladies VIP Night’s International Women’s Week event 3 March at the host hotel Shangri-La, Colombo Ballroom from 6 p.m. onwards will call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

This year the global theme of the International Women’s Day is #EachforEqual.

Offering an evening of empowerment and entertainment, the gala event will include a panel discussion including an all-male panel titled “TogetherWeCan – Not just a female issue. This is everyone’s issue.” followed by a unique fashion show with exclusive jewellers focusing on model transformation with “FashionforEmpowerment” as the theme. A seated five-course dinner completes this evening of inspiration and glamour – all for a good cause. 

Sources cite that women’s equality is still a long way off. There is a strong call-to-action to press forward and continue to progress gender parity. People around the world are mobilising for a future that is more equal, working relentlessly to claim women’s rights and realise their full potential.

Event Producer Latika Alok says, “At Ladies VIP Night, we are all about uniting women to come together to support one another and inspire each other’s achievements as well as to continue to press for progress and create awareness for gender equality in today’s modern workplace. It is important for organisations to recognise female talent in their workforce and their contribution to Society. We are pleased to be supporting Emerge Lanka Foundation who support young girls between the ages of 10 to 18 who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or the threat of abuse.”

Venue host Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo is perceived as one of the most prestigious and desirable destinations and thus makes it the perfect venue and hospitality partner for this memorable evening. Guests will enjoy a seated five-course dinner prepared by the hotel’s renowned chefs headed by Executive Chef Patrick Buttgereit. 

Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo General Manager and Vice President Timothy Wright said: “We are delighted to partner with this event. From the inception, Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo has endeavoured to improve gender balance in our workplace. We have understood the need to challenge stereotypes in Sri Lanka and support women in the delicate balancing act between work and family roles. In the ever-evolving landscape of tourism, women’s achievements are key for the industry to thrive.” 

The all-male panel discussion “Gender Equality is for everyone! #TogetherWeCan #EachforEqual” will feature key decision makers from diverse industries. They are MAS Holdings Founder Member Ajay Amalean, Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo Vice President and General Manager Timothy Wright, 99X Technology CEO Mano Sekaram, AIA Insurance CEO Nikhil Advani and Akbar Brothers Group COO Janek Jayasekara.

The panel will be moderated by Savithri Rodrigo an award-winning journalist with 30 years’ experience, primarily in male bastions. 

As part of the entertainment program, an unusual theatrical fashion show featuring leading Sri Lankan Designers; Sonali Dharmawardena, Aslam Hussein, l’Atelier Touche, Ramona Oshini, Charini and Limak. In collaboration with exclusive jewellers – Colombo Jewellery Stores, Bullion Exchange, Tiesh, Pearl Studio, Summer 67 and Precious Ceylon Gems & Jewellery will be a key highlight. 

The runway sponsors include; Ramani Fernando Salons, Official Hair and Make Up Partners; TRESemme, Official Hair Care Partners, Spa Ceylon, Official Make Up & Skin Care Partners and British Cosmetics, Official Nail Care Solution Partners. 

Other champions of good, responsible businesses officially supporting this event are AIA, Official Life Insurance Partner. AIA Insurance has been recognised as one of the ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in Sri Lanka, in the inaugural awards presented by Great Place to Work Sri Lanka. This was in recognition of AIA’s commitment to promoting gender parity while creating conducive environments for women, in the workplace. As a company that understands that gender parity is central in having a dynamic balanced workforce, AIA’s female staff play an integral part in their business success. 

Fairfirst, Official General Insurance Partner is a company that’s driven by values of empathy, authenticity, transparency and social responsibility; they are strong advocates of an inclusive and fair culture which promotes the golden rule of “treating others the same way you’d want to be treated”, Electronic Media, Lite87, Luxury TV Partner Hi TV, Digital Media Partner Hi Online, HI Magazine, Daily Mirror, Daily FT and Sunday Times. Print & Design Partner, Anim8. Grand Flora, Official Floral Decor Partners will create the ambience for the evening. Dynamic AV, Official Audio Visual Partner. Lanka Premium, Official Wine and Spirit Partner

Ladies VIP Night continues to press for progress by promoting Standard Holdings, as the Official Sustainable Door Gift Partner creating a step towards a better tomorrow by creating awareness for food packaging solutions made from biodegradable and eco-friendly products. 

Proceeds from the event will be spent on a Good Cause – Emerge Lanka Foundation: Empowering Sri Lanka’s Strongest Girls. 

Emerge Lanka Foundation works with girls 10-18 years of age who have survived sexual abuse and are placed in shelters for their protection. The Emerge program includes Life Skills, Mentorship and its unique Beads-to-Business curriculum, teaching girls to make high quality jewellery as well as the entrepreneurial and financial skills enabling them to become independent women as well as leaders of their communities. All the profits are deposited into the girls’ individual savings accounts, which they can use as adults to take care of themselves, and in some cases, their children. 

Emerge also runs a Reintegration Program designed to provide support for the girls after they have left the shelter for a new start on life in the outside world. Emerge aims to establish an empowerment centre designed to increase employability of the girls as well as support them in the crucial three-month period after leaving shelters. In the frame of a halfway house, the girls are enrolled in curricula that increase their employability as well as connected with resources such as educational and vocational training and business opportunities while providing them with emotional support as well as food and lodging. Emerge Lanka also actively assists them to find jobs and/or get further education.

Emerge continues to keep track of the girls even after they have left the nest however, the staff always available to offer advice, assistance or just talk, and meeting the girls every once in a while to make sure they are doing well, culminating in an annual reunion. In 2019 Emerge worked with 145 girl children ranging from 12 to 18 in four government shelters and 33 girls at the Emerge Reintegration Centre who have survived sexual abuse

Supporting Emerge Lanka Foundation means making a difference to the lives of these girls who have gone through immense trauma and been robbed of their childhood. The courage they have shown in taking action against their perpetrators and their efforts to get back on their feet is nothing short of being heroic.

Tickets are priced at Rs. 9,500 and are limited and can be booked early by calling the Ticket Hotline on 0778591846. Tickets include “Pink Tea” cocktails by TeaaBerry which is health conscious products rich in antioxidants, an Aperitif hour, a unique fashion show, a seated four-course dinner, luxury door gifts from Spa Ceylon and TRESemme, and jewellery giveaways – all for a good cause! 

There are many more surprises in store for you with luxury door gifts and jewellery giveaways; this is an event not to be missed! 

Participating sponsors will be profiled along with Event Updates on the Ladies VIP Night Facebook page, ladies.vip.night.colombo and Instagram page – @colombovip.