Under Phase 3 of NPC’s Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project, 21 needs based training sessions were conducted in the Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Polonnaruwa Districts to strengthen the capacity of Super Group, Peer Group and Youth Group leaders to address community issues identified through earlier stages of the project. Each district held three focused sessions with each session tailored to the unique challenges faced by local communities.
The training topics were grounded in the lived realities of participants. In several districts, issues of caste based discrimination and the exclusion of marginalised communities emerged as recurring themes. Communities from estate sectors and certain villages reported feeling neglected both socially and in terms of services. In response, a training session on how to engage with excluded communities was conducted to help participants reflect on their own perceptions and build empathy driven, inclusive approaches. The session was facilitated by Mr. Asanka Fernando who encouraged participants to recognise internalised biases and understand the structural roots of exclusion.
A woman participant in Monaragala said, “Although we were trying to address the issues, sometimes we carried discriminatory thoughts. Now we understand how to be empathetic and see people properly.”
Environmental concerns were a key focus. Many communities, particularly those in semi-urban and estate areas, reported serious garbage disposal problems and pollution of local water sources. To address these, training sessions on legal regulations and environmental laws related to garbage disposal were held led by Mr. Ruchira Rosa, a lecturer from the Department of Law at the Open University of Sri Lanka. Participants learned about environmental protection laws, the responsibilities of local authorities and the power of legal tools such as the Right to Information Act.
A youth participant in Kegalle said, “We now understand that addressing issues without documentation or proof won’t work. This session taught us how to act legally and sustainably.”
In the Kandy District, participants had the opportunity to engage directly with a Public Health Inspector to discuss the poor condition of public washrooms in a central town area. The session highlighted how even basic needs like sanitation were linked to rights, dignity and accountability. It also emphasised the importance of proper complaint mechanisms and follow ups through local councils. A woman leader explained, “We often avoid using public toilets because they are unsafe and unhygienic. This session made me realise we can and should demand better.”
These needs based trainings not only equipped participants with practical knowledge but also helped them shift their perspectives from feeling powerless to becoming active agents of change.
Whether addressing social exclusion, environmental degradation or public health concerns, women and youth leaders were empowered with the tools, confidence and connections needed to lead effective, inclusive interventions in their communities.