Dr. Sulochana Segera is a woman who has dedicated her life to the empowerment of other women. As a Sri Lankan social entrepreneur, she has worked tirelessly to promote gender equality in her country and beyond. Her work has been recognized by many international organisations, and she has received numerous awards for her contributions to women empowerment and women in work.
Dr. Segera’s journey towards becoming a women’s rights activist began when she was a young girl. Growing up in a rural village in Sri Lanka, she witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by women and girls in her community. Despite these challenges, she was determined to pursue an education and achieve her dreams. She worked hard and eventually earned a Ph.D. at the Global University of Lifelong Learning California, USA on 28th November 2016.
After completing her education, Dr. Segera began working as a social entrepreneur specializing on women and education, focusing on issues related to gender-based violence, Women Headed Households, Youth Empowerment and women’s economic empowerment. She founded Women in Management in Sri Lanka, an organisation that provides training and support to women and youth in areas such as leadership development, entrepreneurship, Personality development and health.
She then went on to establish Women in Management in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Canada, and the UAE, as well as the Women in Management Top50 Professional and Career Women Awards in Sri Lanka, Canada, UAE and the Maldives. Dr. Segera is also the founder of the New Generation Awards Sri Lanka, which recognizes the achievements of young entrepreneurs. Her mission in life is to find “diamonds in the rough” in the most rural villages across Sri Lanka and to transform them into successful entrepreneurs.
Dr. Segera’s efforts have had a significant impact on organisations in the country, encouraging more inclusive leadership in their top-tier management. As a certified Personality Development Trainer in Asia and a trainer for IFC, a World Bank subsidiary, on “Sustainable Private Sector Investment,” Dr. Segera is well-equipped to empower and guide women in all aspects of their lives. She also hosts a popular online talk show, “Plain T with Sulo,” aired on Lankadeepa Online and Daily Mirror Online. Dr. Segera is the Managing Partner of Women in Management and a Member of the Advisory Committee for the Private Sector and Women Empowerment Grant Project, Skill Sector Development Programme (SSDP) at The Ministry of Education
She believes that empowering women and children worldwide, beginning with Sri Lanka, is her ultimate goal in life. Her days are spent motivating and guiding women to succeed in their careers. Changing their lives and seeing them succeed brings a smile to her face. Dr. Segera’s entire life has been dedicated to helping women succeed in their careers.
WIM has been making strides towards expanding women’s links to each other by providing free local and global networking opportunities for Sri Lankan women. Additionally, the organisation provides a once-a-year international mentorship and coaching program for its EXCO and active members.
To empower women on a broader scale, Dr. Sulochana highlights the need for institutional and societal changes. For instance, there should be proper mechanisms implemented in public transport to eradicate the abuse of women. She also emphasizes empowering women police officers in Sri Lanka and providing sex education in schools to make people aware of their bodies and responsibilities.
Dr. Segera’s approach to empowerment is unique in that she believes no one can empower another person unless she/he is being empowered. Her own way of life makes it easy to empower people whom she believes need a small push. She walks the talk and does not have two personalities, which helps her empower others as she does not feel insecure about sharing her knowledge or opportunities.
Dr. Segera’s organisation, Women in Management, has been actively involved in promoting women in decision-making roles for the past 15 years. This has had a significant impact on corporate leadership and women’s organisations, encouraging them to rethink their objectives and agendas. While women are already empowered, corporate leaders should understand the benefits of diversity in their leadership. Dr. Segera believes that leadership has no gender, and it is the leadership styles that include gender.
Dr. Segera’s work has been instrumental in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Sri Lanka and beyond. Her tireless efforts have inspired countless women to stand up for their rights and pursue their dreams, and she has shown that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.
In conclusion, Dr. Sulochana Segera is a shining example of what it means to be a champion for women’s rights and empowerment. Her work has made a real difference in the lives of countless women and girls, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of women to fight for their rights and pursue their dreams.