MAS Holdings felicitates its empowered women

In a ceremony at the Waters Edge Grand Ballroom, MAS Holdings celebrated its heroines in the annual Empowered Women of the Year awards. Housing and Common Amenities Minister Ferial Ashraff was the chief guest at the event which felicitated 31 award winners. MAS Holdings Chairman Mahesh Amalean, senior representatives and key customers of the company were also in attendance.

At th awards ceremony. Picture by Niranjan Konthasinghe

MAS' annual Empowered Women of the Year awards highlights and recognizes MAS women who have faced and overcome great challenges in their lives all the while balancing successful careers and personal lives. The women serve as role models within the organization and are a source of motivation for female employees who identify with the empowered women's stories and lives and are thus encouraged to success themselves.

Minister Ferial Ashraff spoke positively about the natural empowerment of the Sri Lankan woman, citing as an example woman's ability to successfully run a home and raise a family without any training or help. Minister Ashraff urged Sri Lankan women to enhance their empowerment by extending their skills beyond the family circle and lauded MAS Holdings for giving them the tools to do so. "Credit must be given to MAS Holdings for giving Sri Lankan women a platform to elaborate on their skills and to develop their empowerment by creating a path for women to go beyond," she said.

The awards are separated into two categories: one for machine operators and staff and another for executives and managers. Each MAS business unit contains an internal judging panel that shortlists their nominees. Final winners are selected via an external panel of judges that includes some of the island's leading personalities.

The winner of the awards is awarded a commemorative plaque and a cash award. The first and second runners-up receive certificates and cash awards. Past winners have utilized their prize money as start-up capital for home industries or to support community programs.

The Empowered Women of the Year awards is part of MAS Holdings' award-winning Women Go Beyond program. Launched in 2003, Women Go Beyond collates best practices within the group to empower and enhance the quality of life of its female employees.

The program is now conducted in 23 business units, 20 of which are in Sri Lanka and the rest in India. MAS Holdings Chairman Mahesh Amalean commented on the special position Women Go Beyond holds in the company.

"Out of our employee base, over 72 percent are female. And it is their strength, will and character that shapes this organization.

I am proud of their contribution, from a machine operator who works just a few years in a factory, or one who rises through the ranks, all their contributions to this company are highly valued.

This is what Women Go Beyond is for me. A way to value the effort of women employees of MAS, and give back something valuable, something that stays with them longer and enriches their lives," he said.

Women Go Beyond is divided into four broad categories, under which a number of initiatives are conducted. Thus, programs under Career Advancement equip employees with essential skills such as English and IT that prepare them for progression within the organization.

Work-Life Balance teaches women the importance of maintaining both their personal and professional lives via programs that educate on health issues and provide opportunities for showcasing creative talent.

Skill Enhancement initiatives provide women with education in different trades such a beauty culture, sari painting and entrepreneurship that women might expand their skill set. The Empowered Women of the Year awards is classified under the final category Rewarding Excellence.

Women Go Beyond is an internationally recognized best practice which has been featured in the UN Global Compact. MAS has garnered a number of accolades for the program, including the American Apparel and Footwear Association's 'Excellence in Social Responsibility' award in 2005. Women Go Beyond was featured as a cover story - 'Reveal Your Ethics' - in the prestigious World Business magazine and has also been showcased in two case studies by leading business school INSEAD, one of which - 'MAS Holdings: Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility in the Apparel Industry', written in March 2006 - recently won an European Case Award.

MAS Intimates Managing Director Dian Gomes and overseer of the MAS group's corporate social responsibility, traced the unassuming beginning of the Women Go Beyond program and explored the roots of MAS Holdings' corporate responsibility.

"Our approach was simple - imagine that these are our own daughters and sisters. How would we care for them, and by extension help them thrive in this organization, and within their families and communities," he said.