WCIC observes International Women's Day

The Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC), the world's 1st trade chamber to be set up exclusively for women, under the leadership of the present chairperson, Saroshi Dubash, observed International Women's Day with an insightful event recently, at Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo.

The WCIC is a non-profit organization comprising of professional women who promote the special interests of female entrepreneurs with the objective of incorporating them into the heart of business in Sri Lanka.

The theme for International Women's Day 2013 was "A promise is a promise" with a firm resolve to take remedial steps to end violence and discrimination against women and to seek equal rewards as their counterparts in business, politics and other fields. International Women's Day is celebrated univerasally. It is the day when women are recognized for their achievements, regardless of any division. It is a chance for all women to reflect on obstacles they faced and plan for great achievements in the future.

The Chief Guest for the event was Rita O'Sullivan, Country Director of Asian Development Bank and the Guest Speaker was Meher Padumjee, Chairperson of Thermax Limited, India. Padumjee arrived in Sri Lanka specially to address the members of WCIC and the distinguished gathering under the theme "Women in Leadership, The Delicate Balance." She kept the large audience spellbound with her experiences in a mega company, with a US dollar 1 billion turnover, that leads the way in energy and environment management. It is one of the few companies in the world that offers total integrated solutions for the increase of heating, working power, water and waste management, air pollution control and chemicals.

The other distinguished invitees who graced the occasion were Greta Lochen, Ambassador for Royal Norwegian Embassy, Christine Lobichon, Ambassador of France, Robyn Mudie, High Commisioner of Australia, Constance Jouberd, Deputy High Commissioner of South Africa, Nelum Gunasekera of Asian Development Bank and Manohari Dharmadasa of the Economic Section of US Embassy in Colombo.

The India-Sri Lanka Foundation Care of the Indian High Commission was the the main sponsor of the event.

The Chairperson of WCIC Saroshi Dubash and the Board of Management of WCIC organized the event as part of WCIC's vision to ensure that an increased number of women are able to reap the fruits of their hard work, which they so richly deserve.