Inspiring future female professionals: AHK Sri Lanka hosts Girls’Day

The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) organised the second edition of Girls’Day Sri Lanka, bringing together schoolgirls, partner companies and institutions to encourage young women to explore diverse career paths and gain first-hand insights into professional environments.

Originally launched in Germany, Girls’Day has grown into the world’s largest career orientation initiative for schoolgirls. Each year, companies, businesses and universities open their doors to introduce girls to study programmes and professions in fields such as IT, skilled trades, natural sciences and engineering, where women remain underrepresented.

Through initiatives like Girls’Day, AHK Sri Lanka aims to broaden career perspectives for young women while supporting companies in attracting skilled talent for the future.

The programme was implemented in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Sri Lanka and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Sri Lanka. While the Goethe-Institut connected AHK Sri Lanka with participating schools, GIZ Sri Lanka, through its Vocational Training in Sri Lanka (VTSL) project, facilitated the participation of young women from the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) training programmes.

 A key highlight of the initiative were company visits hosted by the AHK Sri Lanka partner companies Aitken Spence Travels, Continental, DIMO, Häfele and Hilton Colombo Residences. Through workplace tours, hands-on activities and discussions with employees – including female professionals in technical and leadership roles – about 70 girls gained valuable insights into different industries and career pathways.

For the first time, a group of students also visited the AHK Sri Lanka office, where they explored the work of The German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) network through interactive activities, including an office scavenger hunt and discussions with female professionals.

DAAD Information Centre Colombo introduced the students to study opportunities connected to Germany and AHK Sri Lankas Vocational Training manager contributed through interactive discussions on various career paths. 

By connecting schools, companies and institutions, Girls’Day helps inspire young women to explore new professional opportunities and contributes to building a more inclusive future workforce in Sri Lanka. AHK Sri Lanka extends its sincere appreciation to Goethe-Institut Sri Lanka, GIZ Sri Lanka, DAAD Information Centre Colombo, the participating schools and organisations (Child Action Lanka, Jennings International, NAITA, Steiner College, The Magic Key Academy & Co.), as well as partner companies for their valuable support in making Girls’Day 2026 possible.

Source: Hiru News