Change Makers - Sri Lanka
Jessy Ariaratnam: From The Shadows to the Spotlight
Fifty four-year-old Jessy Ariaratnam of Mannur Women Development Federation in Mannur, Sri Lanka, says, “Women and men have organised to expose and counter violence against women under ‘We Can’. They have brought the violations out of the shadows and into the spotlight. This initiative may not put a complete halt to violence against women. But it will enable women to stand up and speak out. We need more voices to support the urgent struggle to stop violence against women as acts of violence against women also feed on and reinforce other forms of discrimination.”
Srichitra Kadirawen: A Quiet Revolution
Thirty five-year-old Srichitra Kadirawen, a teacher in Batticaloa district in Sri Lanka, has been involved with ‘We Can’ for over two years. “I grew up in a society where social roles in society were clearly defined with the sense of a ‘good girl’ deeply ingrained. A ‘good girl’ was supposed to remain indoors, walk with eyes downcast, keep to strict routines, do most of the housework and obey the rules laid down. But a quiet revolution is taking place. Women are beginning to ask for equal rights and equal space in the social sphere.
Chaminda Ruwan Pathirana: Teaching Tolerance
Twenty five-year-old Chaminda Ruwan Pathirana, a teacher, in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, says, “Children learn to discriminate at an early age. As a teacher I see my responsibility to be making them aware that both girls and boys are equal in every way. This way they learn to be sensitive and respect each other’s views without having to unlearn socialised behaviour as we have had to.”
Vanie Simon: Easing Mobility Constraints for Women
Forty three-year-old Vanie Simon of Ampara district, Sri Lanka, says, “Women in Sri Lanka still face restrictions on their mobility. As a child I was forbidden to ride bicycles but I defied everybody. Today, through the ‘We Can’ I hope I can overturn such restrictions and work for a free society for women, more so a violence-free one.”
Inpbaraja: Defining Moment
Inpbaraja who is as yet in school participated in the comics material development workshop in Polunarruwa recently. The aim of the workshop was to help participants use comics for communicating ideas on gender discrimination and violence. During the workshop, Inpbaraja commented that a husband is justified in beating his wife if she disobeys him. The other participants reasoned with him and explained that violence cannot be justified -- whatever the circumstances be. They argued that all forms of violence against women degrade not only the victim but the perpetrator as well.
P.T. Jamal: Making Positive Changes
P.T. Jamal is a 49-year-old Chief trustee of the Grand Mosque of Islamafath village in Kalmunai. Apart from his day to day activities, he has chosen to be an active part of ‘We Can’. “ I try and speak out against early marriages, girls dropping out of schools, restricting the mobility of girls and laws that discriminate against women. I see women who work with NGOs being pressurized by the community members to give up their work. I am trying to lobby with the local authorities to help stop this harassment.
Women Take the Lead
Geetha of Periyakulam, Ampara, Sri Lanka, has dedicated her life to working with women affected by violence in her area. She has been able to take on this difficult task because she herself has survived violence inflicted upon her by her husband and her in-laws. Geetha enlisted the help of Affected Women's Forum to set up a poultry rearing enterprise and become self-reliant. Her dream is to enable other women who suffer violence to find their feet.
Pearl Stephen: Crossing Boundaries
"The award I accept today belongs not so much to me as to my colleagues who steadfastly help multitudes of women find a better life – one free of fear and violence." These were Pearl Stephen’s words when she was honoured with the ZONTA award for two decades of tireless work to help women in distress in Sri Lanka.
Thimilai Thimulan: Poet Extraordinaire
In the eastern Sri Lankan town of Batticaloa nearly a 1,000 women, men and youth had gathered for a cultural programme organised by the District Action Group, a partner of the campaign. They were enthralled by the young vocalist Janani who stirred them with a song of a woman victimised by her husband and other family members. "The song brought back old memories, “said an extremely moved 50-year-old lady in the audience.
Gnantheepam Shanmugam: Rebuilding Lives
An ever-smiling face, soft voice and a very firm resolve -- these are some of the qualities that Getsie displays when she is with her trainees in the remote areas of the north, central and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
Nobody has ever heard Getsie (short for Ganantheepam Shanmugam) raise her voice. There is a smile on her face always. People particularly comment on her equanimity when she was stranded in the northern Kilinochchi town because of the breakdown of a ceasefire between the government and the rebels in 1995. Even then she did not lose her smile.