Ashvitha
What does life as a woman or girl look like in your part of the world? What roles do women play in your society?
The lives of women and girls in Sri Lanka would be seen as a spectrum. There are strong passionate women and girls following their dreams and passions, and some who are limited in terms of education or financial and/or cultural limitations.
Sri Lanka is a traditional little island where women are held to certain standards or norms and would follow the so-called society approved "normal life": go to school, get a job that is considered a suitable occupation for a woman, get married, have children, maybe quit working, run the household. These are all a part of the "normal life" but of course there will be many exceptional cases.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to women empowerment and/or gender equality today?
The idea of a woman/girl. The idea that they are supposed to look a certain way, behave a certain way. The idea that they are only suited to do certain jobs or certain sports. This idea that the world has of a woman or girl is what should change. Women and girls should be empowered to be who they are in order to bring gender equality to the world.
OK, tell us all about yourself. Who are YOU & what should the world know about you?
I am Ashvitha Wickrama, an automotive engineer by profession and a passionate racing driver and off-roader. I believe that it is important to follow our passions and to do them with all your heart.
I have always been passionate about motorsports. Ever since I was that little girl at the local race track, I dreamt of the day I could get into a racecar myself. From then on, I competitively started my racing career in karting, further graduating as an automotive engineer, and going on to competing internationally in extreme offroading.
Describe yourself in one word: "I am... Me.
What are some of the most notable events (milestones) that have happened in your life to date?
When I started karting, let's just say I wasn't very good. Being the only girl racing with the boys wasn't easy at the start. There were entire years of karting where I didn't even make it onto the podium and most of the time I finished last. But many races and an uncountable amount of laps later, I won my first race! And it was pure happiness, to feel that a girl can be good as boys.
What’s your general view on obstacles?
Sometimes you may not be good at what you are passionate about. That has been the biggest obstacle, which [it turned out that I] just needed hard work, perseverance and most of all the passion to just keep going.
Looking externally into the public sphere, what female public figure inspires you the most to achieve your dreams & why?
Inspiration comes from not one but many women breaking stereotypes. I am inspired by all the women and girls I come across out there who go beyond those boundaries.
What's your definition of success?
Being happy doing what you're most passionate about.
How have the women and girls around you helped you to get to where you are today?
The most important thing - support. They have been there through all the crazy adventures that I've taken and have been supportive in every way, whether it is a teammate sharing the entire experience with me, to friends and family who believed in me.
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today, is to be..."
a hardworking dream-chaser.
