Second Programme of the Eighth District Chapter Empowers Women Through Legal Awareness and Leadership
Vavuniya, Sri Lanka – 17 July 2026 – The second programme of the Vavuniya District – Eighth Chapter under the “Empower Her: Ensuring Equal Rights for Every Woman and Girl” initiative was successfully held at the Vengalacheddikulam Divisional Secretariat Auditorium in Vavuniya.
The Legal and Human Rights Workshop for Women was organised under the leadership of Mr. Shantha Dalugamage, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Stichting Mission Lanka, with generous financial support from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The programme aimed to strengthen women’s understanding of their legal rights, promote gender equality, and encourage active participation in community leadership.
Promoting Women’s Rights and Access to Justice
The workshop focused on several key themes designed to empower women through knowledge and awareness, including:
- Women’s Rights
- Gender Equality
- Legal Protection
- Access to Justice
- Gender Sensitivity
- Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality
Participants explored practical approaches to protecting their rights and learned about available legal mechanisms and support services.
Human Rights and Environmental Responsibility
A key feature of the programme was an introduction to the global advocacy work of Stop Ecocide International, highlighting the important connection between environmental protection and human rights.
The session encouraged participants to become active community leaders committed to promoting justice, environmental responsibility, peace, and sustainable development.
Building Stronger Communities
More than 50 women actively participated in the interactive workshop, engaging in discussions, sharing personal experiences, and strengthening mutual support within their communities.
The programme provided a platform for participants to increase their confidence, expand their legal knowledge, and develop leadership skills that contribute to positive social change.
Expert Legal Guidance
The workshop featured Mr. N. L. A. Kalam, Attorney-at-Law and Regional Coordinator (Puttalam) of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, as the Resource Person.
Through practical presentations and discussions, he provided valuable insights on:
- Women’s legal rights
- Legal protection mechanisms
- Access to justice
- Human rights responsibilities
- Practical legal guidance for everyday situations
His expertise enabled participants to better understand their rights and the legal support available to them.
Certificates and Educational Resources
At the conclusion of the workshop:
- Certificates of Participation were awarded to all participants.
- Educational book packs containing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) were distributed through the generous support of United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights International.
These resources will continue to support participants in expanding their knowledge and leadership within their communities.
Collaborative Community Partnership
The programme was successfully coordinated by Mr. Sanka Jayanath and Mr. Anusha Indrajith, Programme Coordinators of Mission Lanka Foundation.
Special appreciation is also extended to the staff of the Vengalacheddikulam Divisional Secretariat for providing the venue and supporting the successful implementation of the programme.
Continuing the Empower Her Journey
The Empower Her initiative continues to expand across Sri Lanka, strengthening women’s rights, promoting gender equality, and increasing access to legal education and community empowerment.
Through collaboration with local communities, government institutions, and international partners, Mission Lanka Foundation remains committed to building a society where every woman enjoys dignity, equality, justice, and opportunity.
