The Fortude team at the Satynmag AICPA & CIMA Women Friendly Workplace Awards 2024

Fortude, an enterprise and digital technology solutions provider, was felicitated as one of the Top 10 Women-Friendly Workplaces in Sri Lanka at the Satynmag AICPA & CIMA Women Friendly Workplace Awards 2024, recognizing its strong commitment to fostering a diverse and equitable work environment.

 “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are more than just corporate initiatives at Fortude; they’re rooted in our personal journeys and core values. Over the years, we have continuously evolved our strategies to provide the best resources and frameworks, enabling the women at Fortude to thrive both professionally and personally. 

We take great pride in receiving this award, marking a significant milestone in our journey. From starting with just one female employee to achieving this recognition, our progress is a testament to our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all,” stated Fortude Managing Director Arjuna Sirinanda, when commenting on this achievement. 

Fortude drives numerous initiatives to create an equitable workplace, working towards its goal of achieving a gender target of 50/50 by 2027/28 across its global operations. Women-focused learning and development initiatives, inclusive leadership practices, flexible work policies, a team dedicated to driving diversity, equity and inclusion, mentorship programs, women-only focus group discussions and an internship programme exclusively for women are some activities that fuelled the company’s win during its first year of applying for the award.

The outcomes of these initiatives reflect their success, which include a 50:50 promotion ratio among females and males, a 100 percent return to work rate among mothers at Fortude, and 20 percent female representation on Fortude’s board of directors and C-suite (in comparison to the current global average of 16 percent and 10 percent respectively). 

“Our continuous focus on gender equality, alongside our strategic partnerships and commitment to fostering increased female participation in decision-making roles, has positioned us at the forefront of creating a truly female-friendly workplace within the tech landscape with promising career opportunities. This accolade not only validates our efforts but also fuels our determination to push the boundaries of diversity and empowerment in the industry,” noted Anjalie Jasenthuliyana, Head of Global Talent Development and Culture at Fortude.

In the worldwide and Sri Lankan tech sector, there remains a noticeable disparity in female representation in the workforce, despite a considerable number of women graduating in STEM subjects. Statistics from the Institute of Policy Studies reveal that merely 34 percent of ICT positions in Sri Lanka are occupied by women. 

This underscores the critical need to address gender equality within the domestic and global tech landscape. The initiatives spearheaded by Fortude are specifically designed to advance this cause, as we collectively strive to ensure equal opportunities for all individuals and foster the development of a sustainable talent pool.

The Satynmag AICPA & CIMA Women Friendly Workplace Awards honour organisations that actively promote gender inclusivity and women’s empowerment in the corporate world, making them key contributors to advancing women in the workplace across the country. Since their launch in 2021, the awards have rapidly gained traction, attracting a growing number of companies committed to creating a women-friendly work environment. These awards recognize businesses that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to gender equality, diversity, and inclusivity within their organizations. This initiative strongly resonates with companies, aligning with the increasing recognition of the critical role women play in the workplace.