BOI empowers International Women’s Day in multiple zones

The Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka celebrated the International Women’s Day in multiple locations: Biyagama, Katunayake and Wathupitiwala. 

The important aspects of these collective efforts are the participation of all stakeholders, including all the BOI enterprises, members, law enforcement and civil society.

The theme for the International Women’s Day is ‘Collectively, we accelerate action for gender equality’. In the Sri Lankan context, the theme has further extended her role as a feminist: ‘For all women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.’

One of the salient features of the Women’s Day is the discussion of empowerment and equality. Celebrating this day reinforces the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment in economic development. The theme emphasises the need for swift and effective actions to support women’s further participation in the workforce, leadership roles and entrepreneurship.

The education and awareness sessions were organised with leading university academics to increase knowledge of present-day work ecosystems and further deliberated that engaging women in business and investment can significantly impact economic growth. By promoting initiatives that support women during the sessions, it reemphasised that the BOI can contribute to a more inclusive economy that maximises the talents and potential of all individuals.

The role of the BOI extended beyond serving investors; by taking a stand to further promote and facilitate women’s rights and gender parity, the BOI reemphasised its corporate social responsibility profile.

During the celebration, BOI Director General Renuka M. Weerakoon valued “the wonderful role of the women of the BOI, her multifaceted herculean task as a member of the enterprise, mother, wife and homemaker and her incredible talent for work-life balance.”

During the Seethawake zone speech she said, “We are also working to establish a Family Health Service Unit in the Seethawaka region and improve your health services and health education. In the future, we expect to provide care to your little ones through the day care centre proposed to be opened in the Seethawaka region. The facility will enable you to work as a mother with peace of mind and happiness. We have allocated a financial provision of Rs.33 million for this project and we plan to commence construction this year.”