CEJ collaborated with the Canadian High Commission of Sri Lanka and Maldives to observe International Women’s Day with the coordination support of Muslim Women’s Development Trust. A half-day advocacy dialogue on ‘Women and Inclusion during the Economic Crisis: A Call to Action’ was organized on the 6th of March in Puttalam. The objective of the dialogue was to discuss preventing and addressing SGBV to raise awareness and advocate for more resources to be provided at the provincial and local level to this issue by the central government, at the provincial level, and Pradeshiya Sabhas in the North Western Province. The Canadian High Commissioner, His Excellency Eric Walsh delivered introductory remarks, and Shyamala Gomez, Executive Director at the Centre for Equality and Justice moderated the panel discussion. The panelists Juwairiya Mohideen, from Muslim Women’s Development Trust, Women Chief Inspector from Chilaw, L.D.N Subhashini Herath, and Women Development Officer for District Secretariat, Jayasundara Mudiyanselage Bhashini Menaka Jayasundara shared their experiences of ground realities. 50 participants from CSOs, government officials including child rights protection officers, WDOs, probation officers, and Legal officers attached to Legal Aid Commission, Counsellors and Marriage Registrars attended the event.
