Tamil Speaking Women Entrepreneur, from Vavuniya, Kohilathevi Asokumar recognized by Brampton’s Mayor Patrick Brown
The CEO, President and Managing Director of Kobithan Garments Pvt Ltd, Kohilathevi Asokumar – Vavuniya, Sri Lanka recognized as a “Women Entrepreneur” of the 2024 Year Award for the visitors, the recognition event proudly was organized by Langes, FCPA at the City Hall in Brampton in , Canada.
The award was presented to honour Women Entrepreneur Kohilathevi (Geetha) for her tenacity to scale and grow, and for her contribution and impact on the economy in Sri Lanka. His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton mentioned about Kohilathevi that the City of Brampton celebrates local entrepreneurs including any entrepreneurs from various countries whose ideas, passion and determination help make the community competitive and prosperous.
The Northern Sri Lanka which was drastically affected area by thirty year old war, which engulfed the area, now the region is gradually emerging from its long years of isolation and fighting. As a result of 30 years conflict situation, women lost their male relatives in struggle, and forced to take a responsibility of their family in order to look after their children, aged parents and their male relatives. Kohilathevi graduated from University of Jaffna and specialized in Management studies. Giving up a good paying Government Job, Kohilathevi has been involved in operating the Garments industries for the last 25 years and everyone calls Kohilathevi as a “Women Iconic” and as to date, Kohilathevi received over 25 prestigious awards.
Kohilathevi had a long conversation with city of Brampton Mayor Patrick and briefed about North of Sri Lanka and particularly the development of North of Sri Lanka. Kohilathevi stated that women in entrepreneurship have been growing up in developed economics to survive themselves and to help support their families. Therefore it can be seen that women entrepreneurship is a growing phenomena and has had a significant economic impact in all economics. However, women owned or headed enterprises have challenges and constraints that need to be addressed and specific needs that have to be identified to help them. More of households in Northern Sri Lanka are now headed exclusively by women. They still face numerous challenges in accessing education and health services, as well as economic developments. More women owned entrepreneurship found in Northern Province is handicraft, handloom, garments and textiles, dry fish marking, spices and concentrates products, retail business, manufacturing food and other products crop farming, and poultry farming. Some of prominent women entrepreneurs who are actively engaging various types of small businesses and Kohilathevi’s business is an example to everyone.
Mayor Patrick further said that the city of Brampton always celebrates the Small Businesses, we are proud to recognize our local entrepreneurs who bring so much to our community, including character, jobs, competitiveness and prosperity. In his very brief speech, PatrickBrown said ‘I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather! It is an exciting time in Brampton. We are a fast growing city, in fact we are the fastest-growing of Canada’s largest 25 cities. The City of Brampton continues to establish itself as a Leader in innovation that is dedicated to excellence in economic development and inclusivity.
Kohilathevi was interviewed by Langes, FCPA and she answered all the questions in more detail and Langes gathered the following message from her special interview. Langes questioned about the challenges and operating difficulties about the women entrepreneurship and small businesses, her response was that entrepreneurship becomes crucial role in the development of economy. But, Women entrepreneurs envisage many problems while operating their businesses. Lack of entrepreneurial qualities such as self-confidence, risk taking ability, need for achievement, dual role to play at business and at home, lack of awareness of facilities provided by the business development services institutions, competition with large scale units, problems related to marketing, lack of access to finance and lack of access to technology are some of them. The role of women entrepreneurship is inevitable in any country. Now a day, women enter in almost all professions such as trade, industry, engineering, technology. They are willing to take up business and contribute to the nation‘s development. Thus, there role is being recognized and steps are being taken empower and promote female entrepreneurship.
When Langes questioned about situation about Northern Sri Lanka and small Businesses, Kohilathevi’s response was that it is an imperative need to develop women entrepreneurship in North of Sri Lanka through the structured mechanism such as Vocational training, training on entrepreneurial skill development and educate women entrepreneurs in record keeping and marketing knowledge.
Kohilathevi also insisted that Sri Lankan government should create more favorable policies that stimulate women from the bottom level as an entrepreneur for sustainable development of their family. Proper well design counseling and Education system should be given more training to women to get awareness regarding women empowerment. Since, institutional support and pull factors such as confidence, independence, need to achievement are the key factors for the women empowerment. So policy makers should consider these factors as important tools to develop women from the grass root level. Empowerment of women has been recognized as a central issue in determine the status of women. Creating an environment through positive economic and social policies and education Knowledge, political participation also some of the ways to upward the women status from bottom to top. The entrepreneur herself benefits tremendously through this system as it focuses on individual needs. Such a method would include technological support, input linkages, business counseling, market links, and individual mentoring that will build up a successful enterprise.
In the end of the meeting , Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton recognized Kohilathevi’s hard work, dedication and business achievements. He also presented a golden jubilee medal as a special gift on behalf of City of Brampton. Brampton City Council’s , Regional Councillor, Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Michael Palleschi, Regional Councillor, Navjit Kaur Brar, and many others were attended the meeting and congratulated Kohilathevi for her great achievements in the Small business industry.
