Women have shown more resilience than men in restarting their stalled business, said Founder and Chairperson of Women In Management (WIM), Dr. Sulochana Sigera.
She said during the Covid-19 pandemic many SMEs perished and women have been faster to restart them compared to men. She also said this is more evident in rural areas.
She said that this has to be highly lauded since women still find it more difficult to obtain funding through regular banking channels.
Asked to comment on the brain drain she said that one could see somewhat reduced numbers in this segment. “We also observe that it was mostly the mother and child that migrated during the economic crisis and this was because they did not see a future for their children in Sri Lanka during the time,” she said.
“But it was sad to note that sheer desperation forced women who did high quality jobs to sacrifice them for lower quality jobs when migrating,” Sigera said.
She said that due to social stigma issues today women try to move out of from housemaid jobs to ‘Elderly care’ jobs.
“However, institutions that provide training for this type of work is still not adequate in Sri Lanka and this area has to be addressed soon,” Sigera said.
Women in Management (WIM) also hosted a Breakfast Forum on Friday at Sophia Hotel, Colombo to unveil their ambitious future roadmap, drawing together professionals and business leaders for an inspiring event.
A booklet titled “Pioneering Paths: Women in Management Shaping The Future,” signaling WIM’s commitment to empowering women and driving positive change was also launched.
Chairperson of WIM, Dr. Segera, outlined the organisation’s journey from a local initiative to a global force, championing the strengths of Sri Lankan women on the world stage.
Dr. Segera also made an announcement regarding the opening of the WIM Safe House for Girls in Madurukatiya, Monaragala.
The “Pioneering Paths” booklet, encapsulating WIM’s vision and initiatives, is now available online offering a comprehensive resource for individuals and organisations committed to advancing gender equality and empowering women in the workplace. – SS
