Women in Management (WIM), in partnership with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has launched, and is inviting nominations for, the ‘Top 50’ Professional and Career Women Awards 2019. Now in its ninth year, these annual awards recognize Sri Lankan women who excel in their careers, businesses and everyday life, while inspiring others.
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.
Dr. Sulochana Segera, Founder/Chairperson of Women in Management, said, “This year marks the ninth year of the Top50 Awards, and we want to facilitate greater conversations and networking between women professionals and entrepreneurs. As part of this commitment, we will be hosting a Breakfast Networking event for women professionals on the day of the awards. Subsequently, on the 7th of September, we will host an artisan exhibition followed by the Women Top50 Fashion Show where the Top50 winners will walk the ramp in professional workwear, designed exclusively by Sri Lankan designers and small business owners.”
Research shows that increasing women’s participation in the economy—as employees, entrepreneurs, and business leaders—boosts economic output and benefits generations to come. 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.
“What started as a promising year for Sri Lanka has turned out to be amongst its most challenging. Now, more than ever before, it is vital to tap into the unrealized economic potential of our women to help drive the growth that Sri Lanka needs to rebuild. Participation of women in the economic recovery will make it both sustainable as well as inclusive,” said Amena Arif, IFC Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives. “The Professional and Career Women Awards brings to the fore the important contributions that Sri Lankan women make each day, and we are proud to partner with WIM in celebrating their achievements.”
Nominations for these prestigious awards are open till 15th July 2019. The awards ceremony itself will be held on September 6, at the Shangri-La, Colombo. Nominations can be made by visiting
This year’s judging panel also includes Panel Chairperson Kasturi Chelleraja Wilson, Managing Director – Hemas Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd. and Hemas Logistics and Maritime Cluster; Amena Arif – Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives, IFC; Dr. Rohantha Athukorala – President/CEO, Clootrack Sri Lanka & Maldives; Kumar Samarasinghe – Director, Marketing, Singer Sri Lanka; Nisthar Cassim – veteran journalist; Rose Cooray – Director, HNB; and Jayanthi Dharmasena – Managing Director, Hayleys Agriculture.
The private sector is increasingly recognizing that advancing gender equality through business operations and value chains means better talent, higher productivity, more customers, and a stronger bottom-line. However, there is still a long way to go. IFC believes that women—as consumers, employees, business leaders, and entrepreneurs—have the potential to transform the global economy, supporting job creation, raising per-capita incomes, and promoting sustainable development. IFC works with companies in developing countries to generate opportunities for women while contributing to companies’ bottom-lines, productivity, and growth.