WCIC partners Alliance for Sustainable Infrastructure

• To provide a framework for non-exclusive cooperation, facilitate and strengthen collaboration

The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce joined the Alliance for Sustainable Infrastructure to work on the mandate to cooperate and collaborate in enabling a multi-stakeholder approach in creation of sustainable infrastructure by:

•Ensuring that public expenditure on large-scale infrastructure reflects the interest of the local communities

•Reinforcing the principles of participatory governance by holding projects accountable to communities and best practices

•Supporting progressing policy and law reforms that ensure infrastructure transparency, consequential land and livelihood rights of poor and marginalised people and protects the environment

The Chamber engaged in a pilot project in collaboration with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) which observed the progress of two identified large-scale infrastructure projects to track the progress.

The Project Manager for the Pilot Project undertaken by WCIC, Tusitha Kumarakulasingam stated, “In addition, given the scope of the Women’s Chamber, we are exploring the involvement opportunity for women in such projects and if adequate attention is given in the process to be inclusive. The WCIC has commissioned a qualitative research study, among women entrepreneurs and professionals to assess the awareness levels related to the existence of such initiatives, their experience in the past if involved, challenges and barriers preventing them from engaging or considering involvement. We plan to use the findings to create awareness among decision makers on the existing limitations and invite greater opportunity for involvement of women.”