Unilever Sri Lanka’s Project Saubhagya, a longstanding symbol of women’s empowerment in rural areas, awarded its top performers at the annual DiriyaPranama Awards at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel recently.
The awards celebrate the top 100 entrepreneurs of Unilever’s Saubhagya Channel across the island.
Currently in its 14th year, Project Saubhagya is Unilever Sri Lanka’skey initiative under its Unilever Sustainable Living Plan pillar of providing ‘opportunities for women’.
This project empowers women through entrepreneurialism, helping rural women become direct-to-home ambassadors of Unilever brands.
This year’s top entrepreneur for the third consecutive year was Mrs. R. N. Ranjani of the Monaragala district.
The chief guest was veteran actress Malini Fonseka.
Director General, Samurdhi Authority Neil Hapuhinna and Director Planning, Samurdhi Authority, J.K. Pathmasiri were also present.
Unilever Sri Lanka’s Customer Development Director, Aruna Mawilmada said, “The advancement of women’s rights and the economic inclusion of women in Sri Lanka is critical for our nation’s growth and future prosperity.
“By improving their livelihoods through opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, we are able to build stronger distribution networks and create a more sustainable business,also supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of creating gender equality.”
Project Saubhagya stems from a deep understanding of the difficulties faced by women in developing markets and the integral part they play within Unilever’s own distribution network.
It was implemented in 2003 with five brave women entrepreneurs
who took the first step towards economic inclusion and the program progressed from there to more than 5,000 Saubhagya entrepreneurs today.
On their journey to economic inclusion they are equipped with basic knowledge in sales, accounts and even in health and hygiene.