Seychelles hosts women networking event to influence and connect women in leadership |28 March 2022

The Minister for Youth, Sports, and Family, Marie Celine Zialor, in collaboration with the Women Pavilion of the Dubai Expo2020 and international organisation ‘Femmes du Monde’, hosted a panel discussion and interactive session on Wednesday under the theme: ‘Exploring the life journeys and challenges of women leaders’.

The event, at the EXPO, falls within activities to commemorate International Women’s Day – March 8 and celebrated throughout March.

This activity was also reflecting the theme adopted locally which is ‘Celebrating women’s achievements’.

“The EXPO served as a global networking point and will close its doors next week. One of Seychelles' takeaways will be to continue this chapter and bring this gender platform to our islands and affirm that we are not just a paradise destination but we are making significant contributions to the human Revolution,” Minister Zialor said.

The proposed network is expected to focus on inclusivity and “paving the way for those behind”.

Minister Zialor was speaking after the panel discussion where conversations with other women leaders, explored the roles and journeys of women in leadership, as well as the importance of sisterhood in supporting success as academics, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

The other panelists included the senior vice-president participant management and Women’s Pavilion at Expo2020, Hind Alowais; the President of Femmes du Monde, Maite Bruneaud; Japanese entrepreneur - President of Janat Tea Paris, Machiko Gozen; and Seychellois and founder of Belliche, Ingrid Saurer. The entrepreneur is also showcasing her beauty products ‘Naturally Seychelles’ at the Seychelles Pavilion at the EXPO.

The event is a follow-up initiative after Minister Zialor was invited by the Women Pavilion to be a key speaker in a women’s networking event held in October last year for the Seychelles National Day at the EXPO.

Minister Zialor reiterated her ambition to continue these conversations and address women's issues such as economic empowerment and justice, social justice, and for both men and women to have a better relationship and live better with each other.

The other participants expressed great interest to support Seychelles’ initiative to create a women’s platform and agreed to also look at possibilities on how they can assist with projects.

The Femmes du Monde is an international organisation supporting creative and ambitious women of all ages by establishing added-value platforms and open paths for them to succeed without impeding them.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the networking event.

Press release from the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Family