NPC, through its ongoing Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project, implemented a two day national level campaign in Kandy, bringing together 120 women leaders representing the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, marking a significant milestone in advancing women’s political participation, leadership and social equity.
The national campaign comprised a peaceful march followed by two rounds of scholarly panel discussions. The central theme focused on advocating for a 25 percent women’s quota in the upcoming Provincial Council elections and addressing the rising concerns related to verbal violence against women in political and public spaces.
Women leaders held a peaceful demonstration carrying advocacy messages and awareness raising slogans, demonstrating an united call for structural reforms to strengthen women’s representation in regional governance. Following the march two academic discussion forums were held, stimulating dialogue and reflections on women’s political empowerment.
The first panel discussion featured distinguished speakers, including Chamindrani Kiriella MP and lawyer, Chandana Udagedara lawyer and Dr Nayana Premasiri former Medical Officer of Maternal and Child Health in the Kurunegala District. Their contributions provided multidimensional perspectives on the intersection between women’s political participation, gender-based violence, legal safeguards and community level challenges.
The second panel discussion brought together local political leaders and women representatives who entered politics as a direct result of empowerment initiatives under the WOICE Project. The forum created a platform for emerging women leaders to articulate their views, identify barriers and propose practical solutions to increase women’s participation in decision making roles. Participants displayed the enthusiasm and critical engagement of women leaders from grassroots communities.
During the discussions, Ms Kiriella emphasised the significance of enhancing women’s representation in political institutions. “The female population in Sri Lanka is approximately 52 percent. Therefore, women have a significant responsibility within the country's electoral process. We must bring more women decision makers into leadership. It is not something that can be achieved instantly but it can begin at the smallest electoral levels. For that, empowerment is essential. Programmes like these help women to identify community issues and generate solutions. This social intervention by NPC deserves appreciation,” she said.
The women leaders visited the Temple of the Tooth, the Meera Maccam Mosque, the Kataragama Devalaya and a Christian church. They also organised a fellowship session at the Peradeniya Botanical Garden during which they shared ideas and reflections.
A cluster intervention organised in Kandy and Kegalle for 60 women leaders who participated in a scholarly dialogue advocating for gender equality and political inclusion through peaceful engagement and public discourse.
The Kegalle WOICE Women’s Group and Youth Group organised an intervention activity that created a common platform for women entrepreneurs from marginalised communities to market their products, promoting economic empowerment and amplifying the voices of women who often remain excluded from mainstream economic opportunities.
Preparations have been initiated for a cluster intervention involving the Matara, Monaragala and Polonnaruwa districts to ensure continuity of momentum and reinforce NPC’s commitment to promoting inclusive governance, strengthening women’s leadership capacities and fostering long term community reconciliation.
Through the WOICE Project, NPC continues to advance a transformative agenda that recognises women not only as beneficiaries but as active agents of social change, capable of shaping more peaceful, equitable and democratic futures for their communities.
