Women in Tech Sri Lanka partners with Mark and Comm to strengthen women’s participation in STEM

Seen here is Chathini Uduwana, Women in Tech Sri Lanka Chapter Ambassador exchanging the agreement with Thanzyl Thajudeen, Managing Director of Mark and Comm Ltd

Women in Tech, the world's foremost organization for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in STEAM, with a mission to empower 5 million women by 2030, entered into an agreement with Colombo-based leading PR agency, Mark and Comm Ltd with the latter as its Strategic Communications Partner for the Sri Lanka Chapter.

The agreement was exchanged on 26 August at Uga Residence between Women in Tech Sri Lanka Chapter Ambassador Chathini Uduwana who is also Vice President People & Country Head at Typefi Systems and Mark and Comm Ltd Managing Director Thanzyl Thajudeen. Also joining were Women in Tech Sri Lanka Chapter Director Partnerships Jezla Latiff and Mark and Comm Ltd Director Chamanie Nanayakkara.

Women in Tech launched its Sri Lanka Chapter in November last year, followed by an insightful panel discussion at Monsoon Colombo together with other sponsors. This marked a significant milestone as Sri Lanka is now a part of a global movement with chapters spanning 48 countries across six continents, boasting a membership of over 200,000 individuals.

Chathini Uduwana, Women in Tech Sri Lanka Chapter Ambassador, commented ‘‘We are excited to announce our official partnership with Mark and Comm given their rich and vast experience in working with diverse stakeholders in strategic communications. Together we hope to increase our visibility and advocacy in all our areas of interests and activities to not just empower women but also build a movement comprising of passionate members who will be the torchbearers in taking our vision and drive forward.’’

Thajudeen was instrumental in setting up the Women in Tech Sri Lanka Chapter, after months of discussion with the Women in Tech global expansion team and the initial correspondence with Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and CEO of Women in Tech Global, following his passion to encourage more female participation in STEAM related disciplines throughout the country, and a desire to make Sri Lanka a strategic talent hub in the APAC region. Thajudeen was also its Director, Marketing.

Commenting on the partnership, Thanzyl Thajudeen, Managing Director of Mark and Comm Ltd, said ‘‘Sri Lanka has a lot of potential when it comes to talent and more so in the STEAM area with an upward trend among females. We are truly humbled to be partnering with Women in Tech Sri Lanka Chapter to raise awareness of STEAM education and inspire the next generation through advocacy, mentoring and capacity building. We also collectively call out for appropriate reforms, measures and infrastructure in place to enable in achieving this.’’

Since its inception in 2018, Women in Tech have evolved into one of the world’s premier organizations supporting women in STEAM. To date, it has already made a significant impact on the lives of over a third of a million people worldwide, aligning with and contributing to the achievement of seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).​ For more information, please visit www.women-in-tech.org.