The ninth edition of the ‘Top 50’ Professional and Career Women Awards 2019 organised by Women in Management (WIM) will be held in September on the theme ‘Empowered women for sustainable growth’. It recognises women who excel in their careers, businesses and everyday life, while inspiring others.
Founder/Chairperson of Women in Management, Dr. Sulochana Segera said, “This year marks the ninth year of the Top 50 Awards, and we will facilitate greater conversations and networking between women professionals and entrepreneurs. As part of this commitment, we will host a Breakfast Networking event for women professionals on the day of the awards.
“On September 7, we will host an artisan exhibition followed by the Women Top 50 Fashion Show where the Top 50 winners will walk the ramp in professional work-wear, designed exclusively by Sri Lankan designers and small business owners.
“Today, Sri Lanka needs more empowered women than empowered men as women’s leadership style is different to that of men. We wonder whether the country has a leadership when looking at the way things are moving,” she said.
This is the fifth consecutive year that IFC will co-host the Professional and Career Women Awards with WIM. 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.
Research shows that increasing women’s participation in the economy — as employees, entrepreneurs, and business leaders — boosts economic output and benefits future generations.
The DFAT-IFC Women in Work program aims to provide Sri Lankan businesses with strategies and tools to create more and better private sector employment and business opportunities for women, generating better business results. IFC Country Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Amena Arif said, “What started as a promising year for Sri Lanka has turned out to be among its most challenging. Now, more than ever before, it is vital to tap into the unrealised economic potential of our women to help drive the growth that Sri Lanka needs to rebuild.”
Nominations for the awards are open till July 15 and the ceremony will be held on September 6, at the Shangri-La, Colombo. - SJ