Every year, the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka (WCIC) orchestrates the Leadership Forum, aimed at empowering women as pivotal contributors to the nation’s progress. This gathering unites women from diverse sectors to exchange knowledge, forge connections, and advance collectively under a distinct theme each March. In 2023, the forum convened on March 15th under the theme “Empowered Women, Empower Sri Lanka,” spotlighting women’s resilience and resourcefulness in navigating the post-pandemic landscape. Distinguished speaker Marini De Livera, a legal practitioner and the brain behind “Sisters-at-Law,” shared her personal journey as an entrepreneur and advocate for women’s rights. The event also featured insightful panel discussions with industry experts and showcased inspiring narratives of female entrepreneurs driving change. With over 250 attendees, the forum provided a platform for interactive learning and networking. As the pioneering women-only trade chamber in Sri Lanka, WCIC champions the Leadership Forum as its flagship initiative, envisioning a future where women catalyze economic transformation. This forum serves as a catalyst for inspiration, empowerment, and excellence.
Empowering women in leadership roles is not just about breaking barriers but also promoting a culture of inclusion and growth. The upcoming Women Leadership Forum 2024, organized by the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka (WCIC), exemplifies this ethos, themed ‘#InspireInclusion – Count Her In.’ Set to take place on March 14th at the Grand Ballroom of the Galadari Hotel in Colombo, this event stands as a guiding light for women striving to excel in the business world.
Central to the success of such initiatives are strategic partnerships, and WCIC proudly acknowledges McKinsey & Company as the Knowledge Partner and the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) as the Collaborative Partner for this forum. These alliances highlight a joint commitment to nurturing inclusion and leadership among women, laying the foundation for a more equitable business landscape.
“The WLF 2024 of WCIC will focus on inclusion. We will focus on some critical areas that hamper inclusion in organisations. One such area is GBVH at workplace. The chamber actively drives the agenda to create workplaces free from GBVH in collaboration with CIPE. We intend to share some very interesting research findings through extensive qualitative research the Chamber conducted. The event will also consist of a centred leadership workshop by McKinsey and Co, which will be extremely valuable to all participants,” said the Project Chair Tusitha Kumarakulasingam.
The event’s agenda boasts enriching sessions, including a keynote speech on ‘Inspire Inclusion for Economic Prosperity’ by Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe, Chair and Senior Professor of English, and Founder Director of the Centre for Gender Studies, University of Kelaniya. Additionally, a centered leadership workshop by McKinsey & Co promises to equip participants with valuable skills to navigate the challenges of leadership in today’s dynamic business landscape.
The agenda also features a significant presentation by CIPE Director Barbara Langley, centering on establishing a workplace environment devoid of Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH). Her discourse is anticipated to resonate with WCIC’s extensive involvement in this domain.
Moreover, WCIC will impart research insights to the audience concerning GBVH and the existing challenges within organizations regarding workplace safety. Attorney at Law and Activist Naushalya Rajapakse will delve into the current scenario in Sri Lanka concerning GBVH.
Additionally, the official launch of the WCIC website, backed by the USAID CATALYZE Sri Lanka Private Sector Development (PSD) activity, forms an integral part of the agenda.
As the afternoon progresses, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a centered leadership session led by Vidhya Ganesan, Partner/Managing Partner at McKinsey Malaysia, along with Suchita Prasad. This workshop is based on the unique ‘Centred Leadership Model,’ which underscores the importance of self-awareness and decision-making. It enables leaders to align with their purpose and vision, adapt habitual behaviors to a learning mindset, foster collaborative relationships, take intentional actions, and sustain growth through transformation.
WCIC Chairperson Anoji De Silva said: “The WCIC – Women Leadership Forum is a much looked forward to event by our entrepreneurs as well as the corporates that engage with us. It is a flagship event for the Chamber. We structure this event around the IWD theme applicable for the year and ensure the content relevant to the theme unfolds, keeping the audience completely engaged, so that they walk back into their respective workplace with a wealth of knowledge, to enhance personal and business performance. We are honoured to have Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe deliver the Keynote address.”
The event’s strength is enhanced by strategic partnerships with USAID and Eva, as well as Gold Partners including Commercial Bank, Oxford College of Business, and Sunshine Holdings, alongside Daily FT serving as the Print Media Partner. Annually, WCIC hosts the Leadership Forum, bringing together women from various backgrounds to provide them with a platform for learning, sharing, networking, and personal growth.
Scheduled to occur at the Grand Ballroom of the Galadari Hotel from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., registrations will commence at 8:30 a.m. Tickets for this empowering event are available for Rs. 9500, and reservations can be made by contacting 076 684 8080.
The Women Leadership Forum 2024 stands as a testament to WCIC’s dedication to encourage inclusion and leadership among women in business. By addressing critical issues, forging strategic partnerships, and offering enriching sessions, the forum paves the way for a more equitable and prosperous future, where women thrive as leaders and change-makers.