Samadhi Weerakoon (Senior General Manager EU Business & Synthetic Development, Corporate Communication & CSR) discusses Teejay Lanka PLC’s initiatives aimed at empowering women in both the workplace and the community, highlighting efforts to increase female representation and participation in the textile industry. She shares examples of specific programmes and strategies that support leadership development for women within the organization, emphasizing the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that empowers people to thrive in their careers.
Could you take us through Teejay Lanka’s initiatives to empower women in the workplace and the community?
While the apparel industry predominantly comprises women, the same cannot be said for the textile industry. During the initial period, women accounted for less than five per cent of the workforce in this sector, but with conscious steps taken by companies like Teejay, we see the representation has reached a better mark in the textile industry. Teejay Lanka, like many other key players in the industry, historically lacked significant female representation within our company, mirroring the broader industry trend.
In 2015, Teejay made a strategic decision to address this disparity by setting a goal to increase female representation within our company to at least ten per cent by 2023 or 2024. We embarked on a focused effort to enhance female participation within our organization, aligning with our broader commitment of promoting gender diversity in the textile industry. With a clear footprint in place, we have been driving empowering women in the workplace since 2015 and are in the process of annually evaluating these initiatives to keep increasing the numbers as well as creating more opportunities for women talent to be in the workforce. We have plans to double our women’s presence by 2025/26.
How does Teejay Lanka support and enhance the leadership capabilities of women within the organization?
At Teejay Lanka, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment that promotes efficiency and encourages our employees to embrace challenges, regardless of their gender or identity. Our values of fairness and equality extend beyond the workplace, shaping how we engage with women in various contexts. We have implemented a supportive system and a code of conduct that acknowledges and accommodates the diverse needs of women, recognizing the additional responsibilities they often shoulder outside of work, such as caregiving and household management.
Understanding the unique challenges faced by women, we strive to provide a supportive environment that offers reliability and assurance. We are dedicated to the growth and development of our female employees, both professionally and personally. In 2015, we initiated significant changes to enhance inclusivity within our company, recognizing the importance of increasing female participation in the textile industry. Building upon this foundation, in 2023, we reaffirmed our commitment to expanding opportunities for women, particularly in leadership positions.
Through our SheCan initiative, we have implemented tailored training programmes aimed at empowering women across all levels of the organization, from associate, and executive to C-suite roles. These programs equip women with the skills and confidence to tackle challenges they may encounter in their roles. Additionally, we offer emotional support and resources to help women achieve a healthy work-life balance. By investing in the professional development and well-being of our female employees, we not only enhance productivity and effectiveness but also contribute to creating a supportive ecosystem where everyone can thrive.
In what ways do you believe empowering and supporting women positively impacts the business, both in terms of organizational culture and bottom-line performance?
Women naturally bring diverse perspectives shaped by their roles in families, communities, and other networks. This inherent resourcefulness, unique to women, seamlessly translates into the workplace. We see this demonstrated across various spheres, from women in leadership positions at the highest levels of government to grassroots community organizers and corporate executives. Traits such as resilience, strategic acumen, risk appetite, and risk aversion exemplify the case for greater female representation and participation in workplaces.
From legal to areas like risk analysis, innovation, sales, marketing, communications, and finance, women are either leading these departments or holding significant positions within them. Their presence enhances relationships with stakeholders and significantly contributes to the cooperative and harmonious environment fostered at Teejay. We’ve observed firsthand how women develop enduring relationships with stakeholders, promoting sustainable business practices and ensuring Teejay’s lasting resonance within our external networks.
Take, for example, our Marketing department, where the majority of leadership and critical positions are held by women. Through their intentional relationship-building efforts, they have played a pivotal role in Teejay’s growth trajectory. Their creativity, nurturing approach, and commitment to fostering strong professional connections have been invaluable assets in navigating the competitive landscape of the textile industry.
Can you provide examples of the positive outcomes or successes as a result of the focus on empowering women?
In 2015, we made a deliberate commitment to champion inclusivity within Sri Lankan companies, embedding these values within the upper echelons of our organization. We believe this initiative has permeated throughout various levels of our company structure, fostering a culture of inclusivity and equality.
Furthermore, we have implemented a system to address department-level concerns raised by women employees, ensuring a supportive environment where they feel empowered and confident. Leveraging the insights and sensitivity of women in leadership roles, we proactively intervene to resolve any issues that may arise, particularly in male-dominated work environments.
On an annual basis, we evaluate the composition of department heads, paying special attention to the representation of women in leadership positions. Our focus extends beyond mere recruitment efforts; we strive to strategically position women in roles where they can drive meaningful change and wield influence in decision-making processes, thereby enhancing operational effectiveness and fostering a more inclusive workplace culture.
How does Teejay Lanka ensure that its efforts to empower women are sustainable and inclusive, and how do these initiatives align with the company’s broader goals and values?
We have been actively expanding our efforts to raise awareness and address the unique challenges faced by women in Sri Lanka, particularly through community outreach programmes. One such initiative focused on breaking the taboo surrounding menstruation and promoting menstrual hygiene among young school girls in the Sabaragamuwa province.
Research has shown that less than 30%of women in the Sabaragamuwa province are aware of sanitary ware and its support, largely due to the pervasive taboo associated with the topic in rural Sri Lanka. We have been working diligently with different industries to destigmatize discussions around menstruation, providing education on the risks of neglect and practical preventative measures to help women lead dignified lives. We are particularly targeting young female school children as they will be leading the future.
Looking ahead, Teejay Lanka PLC is committed to further empowering and developing women within our organization. We are exploring ways to establish networks among women in leadership positions, extending these networks to women across all levels of the organization and beyond, regardless of industry differences.
We believe that women possess a unique ability to understand, empathize with, and empower each other, transcending the boundaries of sectors or fields. By fostering these networks among C-suite executives, executives, and consultants, we aim to provide women with greater decision-making authority, leveraging their skills and expertise to drive our company forward.
In the ever-evolving fashion industry, where adaptability, innovation, and marketing prowess are paramount, the contributions of women are indispensable. From customer engagement, innovationand co-creation, sustainability, planning and production, and legal to corporate communications, CSR initiatives, and risk assessment, women are playing a vital role in Teejay’s growth and success. As we continue to navigate the competitive marketplace, we remain committed to harnessing the talents and capabilities of our female workforce to drive innovation, growth, and relevance in the fashion industry.