Empower Her: Celebrating International Women’s Day 2026 in Sri Lanka
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, Stichting Mission Lanka successfully organized an empowering community program in Ampara to support women entrepreneurs, promote gender equality, and strengthen leadership among women.
Empowering Women, Transforming Communities: International Women’s Day 2026
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, observed under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” Stichting Mission Lanka successfully organized a meaningful and impactful women’s empowerment program through its Empower Her Project.
This initiative was carried out under the visionary leadership of Mr. Shantha Dalugamage, Founder & CEO of Stichting Mission Lanka, with generous support from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka & Maldives, reflecting a strong commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Sri Lanka.
The program was successfully conducted in collaboration with the Divisional Secretariat Office and the Women’s Development Unit in Damana, Ampara District, ensuring strong local participation and community engagement.
Supporting Women Leaders and Entrepreneurs
The event was designed to inspire, empower, and uplift women entrepreneurs and community leaders, helping strengthen:
- Confidence and self-belief
- Leadership capacity
- Human rights awareness
- Social participation
- Community resilience
- Personal growth and well-being
Participants engaged in a supportive and encouraging environment focused on learning, collaboration, and empowerment.
Key Program Highlights
The event included several impactful activities, including:
- Awareness sessions on human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment
- Motivational discussions on building healthy communities and future generations
- Interactive activities encouraging teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving
- Recognition of outstanding women entrepreneurs
- Distribution of Certificates of Participation to all participants
Expert Contributions
Special appreciation is extended to Mr. W. Chandrasiri, Regional Coordinator (Ampara) of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, for delivering valuable awareness sessions focused on:
- Human Rights
- Gender Equality
- Women’s Empowerment
His contribution provided participants with important practical knowledge and inspiration.
Sincere thanks are also extended to Ms. Nalika Damayanthi, Cultural Officer of the Divisional Secretariat Office, Ampara, for her valuable support in ensuring the success of the program.
Mission Lanka Representation
Representing Stichting Mission Lanka at the event was Mr. Chamith Kulasekara, who actively contributed to the successful implementation and coordination of the program.
Beyond Empowerment: Building Well-being
Beyond awareness and leadership development, the program also created a valuable opportunity for participants to:
- Connect with one another
- Share experiences
- Recharge mentally and emotionally
- Build stronger support networks
This reflects the understanding that mental well-being is an essential part of empowerment and sustainable community development.
Continuing the Empower Her Mission
The Empower Her Project continues to play a vital role in creating opportunities for women across Sri Lanka to become:
- Leaders
- Decision-makers
- Entrepreneurs
- Community changemakers
Through initiatives like this, Mission Lanka Foundation continues strengthening communities and promoting a more equal and inclusive future.
Commitment to Equality
On this International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to:
Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
Together, we can build a future where every woman and girl is empowered, respected, and given the opportunity to reach her full potential.
