SEB sets up networking platform for its women employees

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KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Leading Women Network (SELWN) was launched by Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) group chief executive officer Sharbini Suhaili during the company’s annual leadership conference here recently.

SELWN is a networking platform focused on leadership especially amongst potential women employees.

It facilitates and supports their development through networking, sharing sessions, forums and talent management.

As part of the talent management initiative, it also looks into identifying, redefining and strategising the career path of the women workforce within the organisation.

It is also a channel by which specific issues concerning talent management affecting women employees can be specifically addressed.

Speaking at the launch, Sharbini, who is also SELWN chairman, said as an organisation, it is important to have a diverse and inclusive environment that values people irrespective of gender, background and experiences.

“Diversity of thoughts and actions leads to innovation and a winning formula. Our female colleagues are an integral part of the SEB team in realising our vision to become an Asean Powerhouse. Their contribution enables SEB to chart its direction more effectively in our aim to be among the best in class energy provider and power utilities.

“However, if we do not take into consideration their concerns like having to assume multiple roles and balancing their career with their responsibilities at home, we will run the risk of losing our top female talents. I would like to see more ladies in higher positions at SEB and I believe SELWN can help look into developing their full potential taking into consideration the multiple roles they need to play.”

SEB Corporate Services executive vice-president and SELWN executive champion Aisah Eden meanwhile thanked Sharbini for his strong support in the setting-up of SELWN.

She said women represent 21 per cent of the total workforce in SEB and out of that percentage, about eight per cent form part of the leadership team in the company.

This number is still far from the national target of 30 per cent for the corporate sector in Malaysia which encompasses three main aspects comprising gender ratio, participation of women in management and the board.

“Since we first introduced this network through the various ‘Teh Tarik’ sessions with the ladies at headquarters and regional levels, there have been great interests and overwhelming support for this network.

“With the right attitude, behaviour and competence, our women colleagues will definitely succeed as leaders that SEB can be proud of to grow this company to the next level to become a world class organisation and global player. SEB should not only be known for its business success but more importantly for championing women empowerment and gender equality,” she said.

Maybank Group chief human capital officer  Nora Abdul Manaf also spoke at the launch where she shared her experience of being a corporate woman leader and the challenges  women leaders in the corporate sector are faced with.

SELWN council members Lau Kim Swee and Dr Mak Met, and head of Network Siti Aisah Adenan were also present.