WIM hosts Professional and Career Women Awards 2013

Tuesday, 27 August 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Sarah Hannan Women involved in various professions and careers were recognised and felicitated at the second annual Professional and Career Women Awards conducted by Women In Management (WIM) which was held earlier this month at the Hilton Residences. The awards ceremony kept in line with WIM’s mission: ‘Further the professional development of managerial and entrepreneurial women currently employed in established careers, which include managerial responsibilities, through the association of its members, through educational and training opportunities, and through the exchange of knowledge and experiences. Promote higher standards and to increase the status, authority, and influence of managerial and entrepreneurial women. Establish new chapters and maintain a liaison among the individual members, chapters and organisation’. The event was graced by Members of Parliament, foreign dignitaries, leading women in management and other guests. Addressing the gathering, WIM MD and Chairperson R. Sulochana Segera explained the role WIM plays and its corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects which have made significant contributions towards mentoring women in the rural areas as well as the private sector. She touched on a CSR project that empowers single mothers. WIM has initiated the ‘Single Mother’ project in various areas including Samanthurai, Anuradhapura, Panama and Jaffna at present, empowering single mothers who were rape victims. Speaking on behalf of the panel of judges, Trainer, Consultant and Author Nalaka Hewamadduma reiterated that every woman is a professional, be it a housewife or an established professional, and said that women are considered to be human capital managers. Quoting from the Howard Report, Hewamadduma stated that 3% of the heads of Fortune 500 companies are women and 45% of the entire population of women is engaged in professional careers. High Commissioner of Australia Robyn Mudie and Head of National Portfolio Development Sri Lanka and the Maldives Rohantha Athukorala presented the Professional and Career Women Awards for various sectors including human resources, banking and finance, legal, marketing, defence, advertising, media, corporate communications, arts and aesthetics, and State sector and Government corporation. Amongst other awards given out that night were the Upcoming Women Entrepreneur Awards, Award for the Outstanding Non Profit Organisation, School Leadership Award, Woman for Women Award, Business Organisation Supportive Towards Women Leadership Award, Outstanding Business Entrepreneur Award (Small/Medium/Large), Career Role Model Award, Business Role Model Award, Inspirational Women Award, Power Woman Award and Judges’ Award.

Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe