We are pleased to announce that, the decision has been taken by South Asian Women Development Forum (SAWDF), a regional organization accredited by the UN Economic and Social Council to introduce our Chairperson/ Director of IRSD Mrs. Shirani Weerakoon as a member to their advisory board considering the nomination submitted by Ms. Shirley Jayawardena – Vice President of the SAWDF Chapter Sri Lanka and Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs (CCWE).

The Advisory Board of SAWDF has a distinguished group of advisors from Nepal, India, and the Maldives, and they introduced me to the advisory board to expand this network with Sri Lanka.

This esteemed organization promotes women’s entrepreneurial spectrum in Nepal and South Asia and is actively engaged with different UN bodies with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It has a long-standing experience and recognition in successfully fostering cross-border trade networks, capacity building, replicating, and implementing successful projects in South Asia by introducing cutting-edge tools and technology and advocating with the government for the adoption of gender-neutral trade policies for women SMEs.

With her experience and knowledge in women's development, we believe that, there are numerous opportunities to address women's needs, interests, and aspirations through action in areas such as leadership, decision-making in business, sustainable agriculture and food security, technology and innovation, renewable energy initiatives, environmental conservation, and financial inclusion towards the economic empowerment of women in South Asian countries.

She is particularly excited about the prospect of creating innovation hubs and incubators tailored specifically for women entrepreneurs and advancing the green economy and sustainability efforts to economically empower women in South Asian countries.

Further she will be able to share her expertise and strategic insights for the economic advancement of women in South Asia and get the opportunity to request their excellent support towards the women empowerment in Sri Lanka while contributing effective service to reach SAWDF' objectives.