Among the key issues faced by women and girls in Sri Lanka, a high rate of domestic violence, sexual harassment, early marriage and early pregnancy and unemployment are quite visible; especially in communities that are marginalised and below the poverty line in a post-war era laden with other contributory problems such as drug and alcohol abuse.

The project was co-created using a multi-stakeholder approach with an international cultural-relations organisation together with state, non-state actors and academic institutions using expertise in capacity building to create a more inclusive, open and prosperous society to benefit women and girls; through strategic partnerships between British Council and civil society organisation Foundation for Innovative Social Development (FISD)  and its implementing partners Jaffna Social Action Centre (JSAC), Janathakshan and Youth networks such as Hashtag Generation. So far, this project has been running for 18 months in Batticaloa, Hambanthota, Jaffna and Moneragala.

The aim of the project was to advance the lives of women and girls by addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG) in society by ensuring women and girls have the skills, confidence and networks to contribute and benefit economically, socially and politically. This project consists of 3 phases – capacity building, active engagement in communities and building connections for further engagement and intervention. The programme utilises our unique Active Citizens delivery model to engage men, women and youth to help identify issues within their communities and to challenge attitudes on violence against women.  The interventions through community action projects and social media campaigns are designed to engage women, youth and also men as allies, whilst strengthening the system through a holistic approach with support services and service providers.

The project contributes to achieving of the objectives of National Plan of Action (NPA) to address Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) of the Ministry of Women and Child Affaires and the Dry Zone Development. The National Plan of Action (NPA) to address sexual and gender-based violence has existed since 2016 and many organisations have contributed in the implementation process. However, it’s a collective responsibility to make sure that the resources are mobilised and capacities are developed at all ends to make the plan a reality. In the section on Prevention and Empowerment the plan of the NPA, it emphasises the need for community level empowerment and the divisional vigilant groups consisting of both community leaders and divisional level service providers This project has made connections with the Ministry both at national level and as well as at district levels as the women development officers at the district and the divisional level have been an active part of the implementation process.

Speaking at the national symposium on addressing VAWG in Colombo, Mrs. Dharshana Senanayake, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Dry Zone Development said, “We as the policy makers at the national level too have an important role to play. We connect the communities and the national policy together with our national, district, divisional and the community systems. I see that all these components have been taken into consideration in this project. I hope the learnings from this project will contribute further in the implementation of the National action plan and motivate and inspire others who would like to take a similar approach in empowering communities to address violence against women and girls.”

There’s also a strong focus in this project on engaging men and boys in the process of positive change. UK expertise and models in gender and women empowerment are utilised along with the local expertise to co-design the project, promoting the UK’s ability to collaborate with multiple local partners, building trust at all levels and creating opportunities between the UK and Sri Lanka. According to Gill Caldicott, Country Director British Council Sri Lanka, “We are committed to working with Sri Lankan society, its people and its government to foster relations between our two countries. Under social cohesion, nothing is closer to my heart than the issues of gender discrimination and especially the problem of violence against women and girls which is endemic in society.”

The impact so far has been through learning and action outcomes from workshops and through the ongoing delivery of community projects addressing VAWG. Through the awareness sessions, dialogues and community projects there has been direct engagement with 150 men, 150 women, 300 youth and 200 service providers across four districts. This has led to the recognition of 200 women and girls as community leaders initiating interventions and solutions to address VAWG. 40 community projects have been implemented to raise awareness on VAWG, addressing issues including domestic violence, violence related to alcoholism and drug abuse, child/forced marriages, online violence of youth (girls) and female economic empowerment.

Sharing her thoughts Thushyanthala (41 years), a community project leader from the Women’s Rural Development Society Atchuvely, Jaffna said, “Through this project we designed awareness campaigns among parents and identified solutions to create safer future for our children through educating them on how to protect themselves from SGBV.”

Reflecting on her project journey, Lakshika Piyumali (19 years) Community Project Team leader, Dikyaya, Monaragala said, “We are mobilising youth in Dikayaya (village) to replicate community action and broaden awareness, ensuring sustainability of our Social Media initiative - combating online violence against women and girls.”

Photo caption: (Above) A customised Active Citizen Facilitator Development training with a gender focus (left) and British Council Country Director at the Moneragala District Symposium

(From left) Active Citizen methodology to deliver VAWG for youth; an Active Citizen from Moneragala explains her community project at National Symposium and Dharshana Senanayake Secretary Ministry of Women & Child Affairs

(From left) Engaging male participant; project partners presentation at Jaffna Symposium and Samitha from Foundation for Innovative Social Development (FISD) at the National Symposium

National Symposium in Colombo stakeholder group

Project Showcase at the National Symposium (left) and Women's training in Batticaloa