Description

On 5th March 2025, the IEEE Women in Engineering Affinity Group of Sri Lanka successfully conducted an inspiring session titled "Empowering Future Leaders" at SLIIT Kandy. Organised under the WiNavigate program, the session aimed to motivate and guide the Prefects of Pushpadana Girls' School, Kandy towards leadership and careers in STEM. This session was conducted as part of WiNavigate, a program designed to mentor and guide women in STEM fields. This initiative focuses on empowering women and young girls to break barriers and innovate in fields traditionally dominated by men. Ms. Pipuni Wijesiri, Assistant Secretary of IEEE WIE Sri Lanka and Project Chair of WiNavigate, led this session, emphasising the significant contributions of women in STEM and how young girls can aspire to become future leaders and innovators. Participants learned about the importance of diversity and inclusion in technology and engineering, as well as strategies to build successful careers in these fields. Another key focus of the session was on building confidence and overcoming challenges in male-dominated industries. Through interactive discussions, Ms. Wijesiri provided valuable insights on handling challenges, self-doubt, and external pressures, empowering participants to step forward with courage and determination. To further inspire the students, the session featured real-life success stories of women in engineering, entrepreneurship, and leadership, showcasing the diverse career pathways available in STEM. By sharing examples of women who have made significant contributions in technology and innovation, Ms. Wijesiri motivated students to envision themselves as future engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A and discussion, where participants shared their aspirations, asked questions, and received valuable advice on how to take their first steps toward successful careers in STEM.