To recognise the contribution made by the women in the socio-economic development of the country and to mark International Women’s Day 2018, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) organised the opening bell ceremony at the CSE last week.
The event was held in collaboration with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group and the Government of Australia.
The bell ringing ceremony highlighted the women participation in the listewd companies while emphasizing the fact that encouragement is needed to attract more women to the high level of management.
“The practice of using social media platforms to disseminate information without any restraint or responsibility is creating a harmful trend and it will be detrimental to the stability and the movement of the stock exchange activities,” said Prof. Maithree Wickremasinghe.
“The Stock exchange depends on stability and today one of the greatest threats to the stock exchange comes from social media. Any individual who possess a laptop or a mobile with an internet connection has the power to receive and disseminate news without any restraint or responsibility,” she said. Prof. Wickremasinghe also noted it is unfortunate that the law enforcement authorities are not well equipped with technology or capacity to curtail the impact of fake and hateful content that harm the mutual trust, diversity and harmony among local communities.
“Sometimes, we do not adequately condemn these activities. There is a need to identify the citizen’s rights and civic responsibilities to prevent commotions and violence of this nature and to prevent any politically heightened differences. Only then, will we be able to celebrate diversity, unity and peace,” she said.
It is important at this juncture to keep in mind that none of us has a singular or essential identity. We may have an identity as women and men. And also, we may have other identities in terms of profession, sexual orientation, language, class, education, geography, age, politics and so on.”
Prof. Wickremasinghe also noted that equality involves accepting commonality, considering the common rights of men and women and ensuring equal employments, promotions and opportunities for women. “Primarily it involves looking at numbers in terms of nomination, domination, representation and participation within the labour force and employment structure, industries and horizontal and vertical work sectors and structures and so on.”
She also stressed that it is important to look at gender beyond gender equality, entry and participation.
“We need to look at gender equity, as gender equity involves looking at differences between men and women, and more importantly between men and men and women and women.”
Prof. Wickremasinghe also stated that Sri Lanka is still battling for gender sensitive and gender appropriate work spaces, work facilities and work infrastructure. “Gender equity is presumed to fulfill these gender expectations of women and leads to social justice,” she noted.
There is an enhanced amount of compelling evidence for the importance of gender diversity and equality both on board level and in suitable positions. Gender diversity is the right thing to do; not just because it is the right thing to do, because it will immensely contribute towards the growth of the private sector, IFC Country Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Amena Arif said.