Leading Liyo – Roaring for Female Empowerment
SLIM, as the National Body for Marketing in Sri Lanka, has recognised the importance of encouraging women to come forward and become equal stakeholders in leading the Economy into the future. Following this objective, the Leading Liyo Development Programme was launched in March, 2021 in collaboration with International Women’s Day.
The programme aimed at empowering and guiding women leaders to take on corporate and leadership roles in their respective fields, either locally or on an international scale.
The programme commenced on the 7th of August 2021 and concluded with a virtual certification ceremony on the 5th of September 2021, in which Ms. Himalee Madurasinghe, Director/ Country Head of Kantar Sri Lanka was the Guest Speaker and Ms. Debra Mosel, Deputy Mission Director USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives was present as a Special Guest to deliver a congratulatory statement from the
Embassy of USA.
Recognising that Sri Lanka could add approximately 20 Billion US dollars to the GDP by 2025 simply by improving gender equality, as shown in a research by McKinsey & Company in 2018, Thilanka Abeywardena, President of SLIM, highlighted the need to motivate the female workforce saying, “SLIM initiated this project to focus on the development of women and enhance their opportunities for a better future.
Women have a lot to offer towards the economy of the country, yet we see educated women leave the workforce due to personal challenges such as childcare. Influencing positive change in the society and workplace to break gender barriers will allow women to go forward on their journey without hesitation while encouraging innovation and leadership.”
According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2020 by WEF, Sri Lanka is at No. 1 in Health and Survival. However, the country is rated at 73 and 88 in Educational attainment and political empowerment respectively, as well as in the position of 126 in economic participation and opportunity. This indicates a serious gap in female involvement in the areas of economy and politics.
Even as Sri Lanka records over 60% of females graduating annually from the university system, it is not reflected in the senior management nor the political system. The Future of Job Survey by the World Economic Forum indicates that this gap is amplified by unconscious bias, lack of work-life balance and lack of role models. Thus it is of paramount importance that women have to be encouraged to remain in the work force through empowerment and by inspiring and guiding them.
In line with their vision to “Lead the Nation’s Efforts towards Economic Prosperity”, SLIM aims at unlocking massive economic opportunity by making a conscious effort in gender equality in both the public and private sector, by taking necessary measures to prevent educated women from leaking out of the pipeline.