Women in Management, IFC launch Seventh Professional and Career Women Awards 2017

From left: Maldivian High Commission in Colombo Head of Mission Zahiya Zareer, Women in Management Founder/Chairperson Sulochana Segera, IFC Gender Secretariat Head Henriette Kolb and Lanka Sathosa Chairman and 2017 Panel Judge Dr. Rohantha Athukorala

Women in Management (WIM) and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, are inviting nominations for the ‘Top 50’ Professional and Career Women Awards 2017. Now in its seventh edition, these awards recognise women who inspire others with their successes in career, business, and everyday life.

IFC and WIM work together in Sri Lanka to provide skill-building and training opportunities for women who lead, or work in, micro and small businesses. This is the third consecutive year that IFC will partner with WIM to host the Professional and Career Women Awards.

Women in Management Founder/Chairperson Sulochana Segera said: “It is fitting that the theme for 2017 is Beyond Parity–Developing Tomorrow’s Women Leaders. Sri Lanka is at a cross-roads, with many local companies on the verge of evolving their leadership for a new age of equal opportunity. Now in its seventh edition, we want to continue to shine a light on the achievements of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable women, which will also help inspire the next generation of women leaders.”

Nominations for these prestigious awards are open from 25 February to 30 May. The awards ceremony itself will be held on 14 July, at the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo. Last year, around 50 women received the awards for achievements across multiple categories. Nominations can be made by visiting www.womeninmanagementawards.org.

Dr. Rohantha Athukorala, Chairman of Lanka Sathosa and a 2017 Panel Judge said, “The WIM top 50 career awards has become one the most respected events in Sri Lanka, attracting the highest number of entries and high-powered professionals as judges.” 

This year’s judges include Amena Arif from IFC, Kumar Samara-singhe from Singer Sri Lanka, Lilamani Benson of Lowe LDB, Nadija Thambiah from John Keells Holdings, Tania Polo-nnowita Wettimuny from Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, and Farzana Jameel of the President’s Counsel.

Women’s employment is vital to driving economic growth and development. However, the chances for women to participate in the labour market worldwide remain almost 27 percentage points lower than those for men.  “No country can afford to lose half its talent pool. When female employees are unable to realise their full economic potential, businesses, communities, and economies are affected,” said Henriette Kolb, Head of the Gender Secretariat at IFC. 

“We are proud to continue supporting the work done by WIM through these awards and other training programs to help create new opportunities for women across Sri Lanka.”

Globally, IFC works to reduce gaps between men and women in the private sector, enabling companies and economies to improve their performances. Societies can reach their full economic potential, only if men and women alike are allowed to make decisions, pursue employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Dedicated to the success of women, Women in Management (WIM) unites Sri Lanka›s women professionals and entrepreneurs through a unique networking platform, leveraging their skills into global success. 

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with 2,000 businesses worldwide, it uses its six decades of experience to create opportunity where it’s needed most. In FY16, its long-term investments in developing countries rose to nearly $19 billion, leveraging its capital, expertise and influence to help the private sector end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity.