Female-heads of households see their struggles compounded by pandemic

Date: Thursday, January 28, 2021

The pandemic has highlighted the urgency of economic empowerment for women and girls all over the world. But there is a particular urgency to address the challenges being faced by female-headed households, which make up over a quarter of Sri Lankan homes

Hidden Challenges: Addressing Sexual Bribery in Sri Lanka

Date: Friday, December 18, 2020

The economic empowerment model focused on a sequence of trainings – including product development, financial literacy, business management, business planning, marketing techniques and use of technology to further develop or upscale their businesses.

Take five: “We should have zero tolerance for sexual bribery.”

Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Shyamala Gomez is the Executive Director of the Centre for Equality and Justice (CEJ) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. CEJ supports war affected women from Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim backgrounds to advocate for their rights and for transitional justice and reconciliation in their communities.

Ending sexual bribery and empowering widows in Sri Lanka to bring peace to their communities

Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Sharmila* was 25 years old when her husband was abducted by an armed group. Despite several of her neighbors witnessing the abduction, Sharmila was not able to find her husband or receive help from authorities.

Government of Japan pledges USD 2 million to implement the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Sri Lanka

Date: Friday, September 20, 2019

The Government of Japan has committed USD 2 million to UN Women Sri Lanka to carry out the second phase of the ongoing programme titled “Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Sri Lanka”. This project is to be carried out with the integral support of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and will focus on women’s participation and empowerment in efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts.

TAKE FIVE: Beena Pallical

Date: Monday, July 9, 2018

Beena Pallical is the Executive Director at the Asia Dalit Rights Forum and the current Manager of a programme seeking to strengthen Dalit Women’s Economic Rights across South Asia . The Dalit community in this region is still considered the lowest of the historical castes and suffers widespread discrimination, despite recent legislation and initiatives. Within the community, the specific problem of women’s economic empowerment has received little attention, but is now the focus...

Bringing Women to the Forefront: President of Sri Lanka Launches National Campaign for Greater Women's Representation in Local Government

Date: Friday, December 8, 2017

As Sri Lanka heads to Local Government elections in 2018, the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, committed his support for increased women's political participation at the launch of a national campaign titled, "Women for Change". President Sirisena remarked that, "though women's representation in the government service is at a proper level, it is a critical issue that...

Women in the changing world of work

Date: Monday, March 27, 2017

Across the world, all women work. They occupy varying roles and spaces, in homes, factories, farms and shops. Many have challenged conventions and ste­reotypes and stormed traditional male bastions, in politics, sport business and technology. However, the world of work continues to be skewed in favour of men. Only 50 per cent of working age women are represented in the labour force globally, compared to 76 per cent of men. Women do most of the...

Statement for 5th Ministerial Consultation of the Colombo Process by Anna-Karin Jatfors, UN Women Deputy Regional Director

Date: Thursday, August 25, 2016

The Colombo Process has identified five thematic areas to guide its work: skills and qualification recognition, fostering ethical recruitment, pre-departure orientation and empowerment, remittances, and labour market analysis. They reflect the complex and often unpredictable global trends of labour mobility in the twenty-first century, especially here in Asia. They all speak to ... Your Excellency, Hon. Thalatha Athukorala, Minister of Foreign Employment of the Government of Sri Lanka, Chair in Office of the Colombo Process, H.E. William Lacy Swing, Director General, International Organization for Migration, Distinguished delegates from Colombo Process Member states, Representatives from the Abu Dhabi...

What Is a Real Man - A 'Mard'?

Date: Monday, January 4, 2016

None of this: Eighteen-inch biceps. A moustache that supposedly proclaims your virility. 'Showing appreciation' by leering at girls on the streets. And stalking and harassing a woman until she 'falls in love' with you or hitting your wife or your partner; none of this defines a 'mard', which is the Hindi word for 'man'. Here's what does define a 'mard', a real man, though. Showing respect. Supporting her choices. Standing up for a woman's right to live free from violence, from the fear of...