DILI, 18 november 2024 (TATOLI)— Timor-Leste’s first Women in Business Awards (WBA) in 2024 presents 17 finalists who will compete for 11 awards across five different categories.
The event is organized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Associação Empresarial das Mulheres de Timor-Leste (AEMTL), in partnership with the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand.
IFC Financial Institutions Group Senior Operations Officer Graeme Andrew Harris said the nomination period for the awards ran from August to September 2024, with a focus on inclusive participation across Timor-Leste’s municipalities.
“A total of 109 applications were received and reviewed by five independent judges. The judging process concluded with 11 winners and 17 finalists, including those from municipalities. WBA Timor-Leste will give eleven (11) awards in five separate categories,” Graeme Andrew Harris said at the World Bank office in Lecidere on monday.
He informed that the jury for the selection process itself has representatives from various agencies such as the Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL – Portuguese), the Australian Embassy, the Secretariat for Equality (SEI – Tetun), the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste (CCI-TL), and the IFC.
IFC Representative in Timor-Leste, David Freedman, explained that the main purpose of this award is to celebrate women who excel in their careers in business while being role models for others and showing appreciation for institutional and individual efforts, initiatives, and projects that target diversity and financial inclusion of women.
“This is to recognize women’s abilities, although the government has legislation; it must be done to inspire women in society that women can. This also supports women to contribute to change,” David Freedman stated.
It is also acknowledged to appreciate and encourage legislative authorities, public and private executives, as well as civil society for their contributions to gender equality, diversity, good governance, and financial inclusion.
Paula Godinho, AEMTL Vice Chair for Trade, on this occasion also once again appreciated IFC’s support to help AEMTL organize the award event for the next ten years.
“This is AEMTL’s dream, and IFC will support it for 10 years to motivate women, especially those involved in the business world. This is open to the public, not only for AEML members, but everyone can participate, and we do not take part in the jury,” she said.
It was said that the WBA winner would be awarded a trophy specially designed and manufactured in Singapore that embodies the essence of Timorese culture and the spirit of female leadership.
Although there is no cash award, the value of this trophy lies in its symbolic representation of excellence, making it a prestigious recognition of the contribution and impact of its recipients.
Here are the five different categories for the eleven (11) that will be awarded in the first Women in Business Awards (WBA) in Timor-Leste in 2024:
- Economic Empowerment
- Best Initiative Promoting Financial Inclusion for Women
- Best Initiative/Project Promoting Entrepreneurship for Women
- Professional Capacity Development
- Outstanding Mentoring/Coaching to Promote Women’s Economic Empowermen
- Women-Led Business
- Women-Led Business Owner of the Year – Established Business (Dili)
- Women-Led Business Owner of the Year – Established Business (other municipalities)
- Women-Led Start-Up of the Year (Product)
- Women-Led Start-Up of the Year (Service)
- Women in Management
- Women Corporate Leader of the Year (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer/Chairman/President of the Council of Administration)
- Career Role Model of the Year
- Women in Financial Services
- Outstanding Female Leader in Financial Services
- Best Gender-Focused Financial Innovation
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
