A series of information sessions on legislation and other initiatives relating to women was held across the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Polonnaruwa as part of the second phase of the Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project, which is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy. The sessions were designed to address a crucial gap in the knowledge of women in the WOICE Super Group and Peer Group on laws affecting women’s rights and political participation.
The sessions discussed the Women’s Empowerment Act, the Gender Bill, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and relevant provisions in the Constitution as well as the 25 percent quota for women in politics.
Each district session was led by a female lawyer. The resource persons, many of whom were members of the Legal Aid Commission, ensured not only a thorough understanding of the legal framework but also provided participants with connections for future community work. The women were particularly inspired by the resource persons who shared their expertise and encouraged the participants to believe in their potential to effect change.
Each district session had 25 participants including members from the Super Group, Peer Group and Youth Group. The Youth Group participants emphasised the importance of passing on the legal knowledge to younger generations, ensuring a stronger foundation for future women leaders.
Ms. Sudharma Gunapala, Assistant Director of the Legal Aid Commission in the Sabaragamuwa Province, enabled the Kegalle Super Group members to form strong connections with the legal community, which they planned to use to extend legal education to women in their villages.
A participant from Piyapathagama village in Kegalle, which faces significant issues of gender based violence, shared how the lack of legal knowledge had hindered their fight against this problem.
The sessions provided the women with crucial legal insights and empowered them to stand confidently against unjust laws. Participants across all districts expressed enthusiasm for continuing their engagement with the legal sector, planning to use their newfound knowledge to educate others and bring about tangible social change.
Once equipped with legal knowledge, the women were no longer afraid to challenge the status quo. Their voices, amplified through their new connections, are set to resonate across their communities, inspiring others to stand up for women’s rights.