Keynote speaker at the ceremony Professor MaithreeWickremesinghe said: “No doubt this a very symbolic event, as each year in March stock exchanges across the globe commit themselves to promoting gender equality in businesses, markets and in the private sector. People think that gender equality means women’s equality but it doesn’t, it’s so much more.”
She emphasised on the fact that equality involves accepting commonality, considering the common rights of men and women. It involves ensuring equal employment, promotion and opportunities for both men and women, equal access to credit, resources, concessions, markets and benefits.
While 42% of the workforce at the CSE are women, World Economic Forum statistics show that female talent is among the least utilised economic and business resources not only in Sri Lanka but around the globe. Making even small inroads in closing the world gender gap could lead to the potential increase of the global gross domestic product by $5.3 trillion over the next seven years. Professor Wickremesinghe speaking on this matter noted: “These initiatives need to be supported by gender sensitive institutional policy reviews, by consistent action on gender equality and gender equity that can eventually turn into gender responsive institutional practices, by establishing and achieving gender related work targets and goals and by gender based annual appraisals and evaluations that would reflect the success of the initiatives.”
This year a total of 59 stock exchangers across the world will ring the bell to mark gender equality out of which Sri Lanka was the second to ring after Egypt which celebrated the day on 6March. The initiative is a partnership of IFC, the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, the UN Global Compact, UN Women, Women in ETFs and the World Federation of Stock Exchanges.
CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike said: “At the Colombo Stock Exchange, we encourage companies to prioritise diversity in their own corporate structures by implementing gender-friendly workplace policies, developing female-oriented investment products, reporting on diversity objectives, policies and practices and increasing the number of women holding board and senior leadership positions.”
The event stressed that society needs to look at gender beyond gender equality, beyond entry and participation. Gender equity involves at looking at the differences between men and women but most importantly between men and men and women and women. There is also a need to acknowledge gender micro aggressions and policies in workplaces. Corporate entities must work towards providing a more agreeable work-life balance for both female and male employees.
“Women across emerging markets like Sri Lanka are making vital contributions to private sector growth through strong corporate leadership,” said IFC County Manager for Sri Lanka and MaldivesAmenaArif in a statement. “We are excited to work with our partners though the DFAT-IFC Women in Work program to expand the discussion on board diversity and help more companies retain and attract senior women to serve on their boards,” she added.
IFC said In Sri Lanka, latest research indicates that about 8% of listed company board directors are women. While this compares well with the rest of Asia, more can be done. To generate a conversation on women’s leadership, this year’s event in Sri Lanka debuted a film celebrating the diversity of female leadership amongst CSE-listed companies and a women-on-boards directory.
Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Bryce Hutchesson said: “In Australia gender security is still very much a work in progress and we are working towards making a difference in these areas. We need more women as researchers, innovators entrepreneurs and in all sectors in society. It’s not only the right thing to do but the smart thing to do. We can all make a difference together.”
“Rights of men, women and children form our very existence and equality from any stance is corrosive and ultimately as self-destructive as armed conflict. We need greater participation of women in the workforce not only in factories but in corporate seats as well. ” added United Nations Global Compact in Sri Lanka Chairman-designate Dilhan Fernando.
