All Different Ways You Can Style a ‘Classic White Shirt’
August 22, 2023
No Comments
Creating a women friendly workplace isn’t a tick box exercise. It’s a promise you need to work on day in and out.. At Hemas, the promise is clear: to build safe, supportive spaces where women can thrive, lead, and shape their own futures.
It’s a journey the company is deliberately on. Guided by the UNGC-TGE Women’s Empowerment Principles, Hemas has moved from an “Improver” last year to an “Achiever” this yearand is aiming to become a recognised “Leader” in the years ahead.
Hemas has consistently been recognized for their commitment towards creating a supportive environment for women. They were awarded as one of Sri Lanka’s Most Outstanding Women Friendly Workplaces at the 2024 Satynmag Women Friendly Workplace Awards. The focus at Hemas is on real women and real families.
“We Empower Families to Aspire for a Better Tomorrow”
That’s the Hemas promise. It’s a recognition that empowering women goes far beyond the workplace. When you give women opportunities, safety, and respect, you strengthen entire families and communities.
“Women play a vital role in society. Empowering them means empowering everyone,” says Chathurani Kulatunge, Senior Manager for Wellness, Diversity & Inclusion at Hemas. “That’s why this matters so much to us.”
Creating a Culture Where Everyone Belongs
At the heart of Hemas’ approach is a simple idea: performance through people.
It means fostering a culture where people feel safe—physically and psychologically. Where they’re encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Where they’re celebrated for who they are, not forced to fit into someone else’s mould. Because when people feel seen, valued, and supported, they bring their best—and that’s what drives real performance.
It’s paying off: over 1,300 women work at Hemas today. Nearly 40% of all new recruits this year are women, a testament to a culture that genuinely draws female talent.
Safety and Respect: No Compromise
What does a women friendly workplace actually look like? For Hemas, it’s built on non-negotiables—like safety.
Just ask Saila, who works through a third-party manpower agency.
“In 30 years, I’ve never seen a company act like this,” she says. “They actually took action against one of their own employees for harassing a girl from our agency. It was the first time I felt someone was really looking out for us.”
For Hemas, that’s the standard. No tolerance for harassment. No excuses.
Supporting Women Through Life’s Challenges
Life doesn’t stop at the office door. Hemas knows this—and has chosen to stand by its people through the hardest moments.
Take Chammika. A 36-year-old widow, she’s raising three young children after losing her husband.
“Hemas has been supporting my children’s education every month,” she says. “We’d be lost without that help. Thanks to them, my children still have hope for a better future.”
She’s not alone. Through its Care Beyond Loss programme, Hemas supports the families of late employees until their youngest child turns 18. Right now, six families receive this vital lifeline.
Recognising Women’s Unique Needs
Hemas understands that being truly inclusive means recognising that women’s needs are not identical to men’s.
Dr. Dhushyanthan Subramaniam, who chairs the company’s POSH Committee and is a vocal male ally, explains:
“Women experience real physiological and psychological changes throughout life, especially around childbirth. This isn’t about weakness—it’s about understanding and support. True allyship is creating space for women to speak for themselves, and being there to back them up.”
Enabling Women to Lead
Hemas knows representation matters. That’s why it created ElevateHer, a leadership programme specifically for women. It’s designed to close the gaps that so often hold women back from stepping into senior roles.
The company also actively supports the Voice of Women (VOW), a voluntary, employee-led resource group that aim to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace where women are empowered. Interestingly, this group includes male allies, at the most senior level, committed to bringing women’s perspectives and concerns to the fore, making sure they’re heard and addressed.
Stories of Strength and Resilience
The impact of this culture is easy to see.
Championing Women in Sport and Beyond
Jayamini Waduthanthri, a Medical Delegate at Hemas Pharmaceuticals, knows first-hand how important employer support can be.
“I’m the athletics captain at Hemas and also represented Sri Lanka at the 2025 Kho Kho World Cup. We finished 6th globally. Hemas gives me the flexibility, funding, and encouragement to do both my career and my sport.”
Over 100 women at Hemas actively participate in sports like netball, basketball, swimming, and badminton—proving that being an employee doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams.
Prioritising Health and Wellbeing
Hemas also takes women’s health seriously.
In the last six months alone, 120 employees have accessed free counselling services—90% of them women.
Reproductive health is front and centre:
It’s About More Than Work
Ultimately, Hemas believes that being a women friendly workplace isn’t about policies on paper—it’s about the impact it has on people and their families.
It’s about listening. Supporting. And taking decisive action. And understanding that when women thrive, everyone thrives.
SatynMag empowers women with inspiring stories, expert advice, and uplifting content to fuel their strength and dreams
Welcome to Satynmag S Suite, online knowledge platform for career and personal growth. This is where you can empower yourself with cutting edge knowledge, latest know-how and grow.
