Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 2019

The 4th Annual Ring the Bell for Gender Equality event was held at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on 7th March 2019 in celebration of International Women’s Day.

 

Ring the Bell for Gender Equality is a joint initiative with the United Nations Global Compact, United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, UN Women, International Finance Corporation, The World Federation of Exchanges and Women in ETFs, in partnership with Australian Aid and Sri Lanka Institute of Directors. This event brings together stock exchanges from around the world to highlight the crucial role that the private sector can play in increasing gender diversity in the global economy and promoting sustainable development.

CSE Chairman Ray Abeywardane and SLID Chairman Preethi Jayawardena delivered the welcome address.

The keynote address was made by Dr. Asha De Vos who is a successful marine biologist and is the only Sri Lanka to be included in BBC’s 100 inspiring and influential women for 2018. She inspired many by her powerful speech on courage and perseverance.

 

She was followed by Rathika De Silva, Director of Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, who spoke about the role of business in gender equality and promoted the adoption of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). HE Jon Philip, Acting High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka, discussed the benefit of women in work and highlighted the need to promote gender equality in our everyday lives.

 

Amena Arif, IFC Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives, introduced the new publication titled titled ‘Realizing Sustainability Through Diversity: The Case for Gender Diversity Among Sri Lanka’s Business Leadership’. According to the research, “companies with gender-diversified boards perform better”. This publication builds on that finding by identifying a correlation between financial performance and gender diversity in Sri Lanka’s 30 largest companies. It also offers practical and relevant strategies to narrow the gender gap in the Sri Lankan context.

 

The second edition of ‘Women on Boards of Companies Listed at the Colombo Stock Exchange’ was launched as part of the event. It features messages from the CEO of the Colombo Stock Exchange – Rajeeva Bandaranaike, IFC Country Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives – Amena Arif, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors – Preethi Jayawardena, Chairman of the Global Compact Network Sri Lanka – Dilhan C. Fernando, and Deputy Representative UN Women Multi-Country Office for India, Bhutan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka – Nishtha Satyam. The Directory provides some key global statistics that includes a cross-sector list of women on Boards.