Seychelles Breweries launches ‘Spirited Women’s Network’ |09 March 2021

To coincide with International Women’s Day, Seychelles Breweries Limited yesterday launched its ‘Spirited Women’s Network’, which aims to bring forth a culture of empowerment, acceptance and a sense of belonging for all women so that they dare to dream and provide an avenue for all greatness.

The network, which has been founded on the values of inclusivity and diversity to which Seychelles Breweries Limited (SBL) operates, presently comprises employees of the organisation but will be extended towards the community in the near future, post-Covid-19.

During the brief launch on digital platform ZOOM, managing director Conor Neiland in speaking about this year’s theme ‘Women in Leadership’ said that it ties in with a lot of the values of the company which values inclusion and diversity.

“From a Diageo, an SBL point of view, we want to be recognised as a progressive company that is defined by its commitment to grow gender balanced and ethnically balanced talent. And actually if you look at Diageo particularly as a business, as a global business, we have one of the best records for gender progression among many of the top drinks manufacturers around the world, and you see that in terms of the representation of women across the business,” Mr Neiland stated.

He went on to note that diversity and inclusivity attracts the right talents towards a company, and creates more opportunities to obtain input, ideas, solutions and result from the right people.

“It is all about creating those inclusive, diverse cultures that allow people to thrive actually. […] Whether it be across recruitment, in terms of how we are recruiting more women into the business, that is vitally important for us, in terms of capacity-building to increase our capabilities across the business more generally, how we showcase women across SBL.

“It is all about creating a platform, a network so people can feel empowered, that they can support one another, it is very important for everybody, particularly at this time which has been particularly disruptive, but it is a great opportunity for us to showcase what we do, how we do. The launch of the ‘Spirited Women’s Network’ is something that we as a business feel very proud of. I have no doubt that we are only at the starting point and then it will develop over time, initially internally but we are hoping that we can build the network overtly and externally as we go forward,” Mr Neiland added.

Minister for Youth, Sports and Family Marie-Celine Zialor also had a video message for the network members, calling on them to be leaders and to strive towards self-empowerment and the empowerment of others.

“We do not need as women any formal title to lead, to influence anything positive, either for you, your sister or brother. Do not hesitate to move ahead and progress. You just need the desire to do it, the heart to do so, seek the right people who can guide you, who can advise you.”

“Despite all the odds and hard times, do not let it divide us or stop us from achieving what you want to. Do not let anyone tell you what is best for you, only you know what is good for you. Do positive things firstly for yourself, and then for others around you, and let’s together work to bring about a transformation in our society and to inspire those generations that are to follow behind us,” Minister Zialor said in her message.

Within the network, members have already started to organise activities, including book nights, series nights and buddy calls to other employees, a small gesture, but which has had a significant impact on morale.

Going forward, the vision is to stretch the calling to the community to address larger issues of gender inequality through educational and inspirational talks to inspire other young girls and women for greatness.

Furthermore, the network will be collaborating with non-governmental organisation ‘Les Li Viv’ on a programme directed towards young girls, of school age.

With the purpose of ‘Together we grow, we inspire and we are a circle of light’, the network will additionally provide a platform for women to inspire, leverage and uplift one another.

Laura Pillay