Economic and social growth:

Women the driving force - WCIC

Call to recognize women workforce

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

The driving force of economic and social growth is found to be women in the world and women power has become a force to reckon with the world over. Developing countries have made amazing social progress through empowering women, said Chairperson, Womens’ Chamber of Commerce (WCIC) Ramya Weerakoon.

She was speaking at the Key Persons’ Forum organized by the WCIC and the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sri Lanka (FCCISL) on Friday at the Galadari Hotel. The Chairperson said that from time immemorial women have been ambassadors of peace, guardians of tradition and society, champions of art and culture, leaders in economic management and administration.

However, until recently most countries did not recognize the contributions made by women either to the economic sector or in shaping the vast human resources or in safeguarding natural resources.

As the emphasis today is on future leaders who will change people’s lives and organizations for a better world it is necessary to recognize the women workforce, provide a platform for sharing their knowledge and celebrate their achievements, she said.

The WCIC has planned a series of activities focusing on educating and developing women in business. The Chairperson drew attention to rural areas where many women earned their living by working in factories or in plantations.

She proposed to build a Creche for the children of those families to help them. As a sustainable project for rural women it will be ideal to take off the ground, she said.

Country Director, World Bank in Sri Lanka Naoko Ishii spoke on ‘Training and Supporting Women into Business’ at the Key Persons’ Forum under the patronage of the Freidrich Neumann Stiftung Foundation.