Women with disabilities in monaragala district get the opportunity to celebrate international women’s day
Hundreds of women with disabilities walked from Monaragala bus stand to the Library auditorium holding boards with rights of women with disabilities. Sri Lanka Foundation of the Rehabilitation of the Disabled organised the International Women’s Day in Monaragala. DHR Organisation in Sweden funded for this project. Delegates from Sweden, members of SLFRD, Provincial Council Ministers, Government Officials, District Secretary, men and women with disabilities and Deputy Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena participated for this event. The walk was from Monaragala bus stand to the Public Library auditorium in Monaragala. There after the gathering was held.
Welcome and objective of the Symposium was done by Secretary, Wellassaa Organization. Mrs. D. A. Padmakulasooriya, District Secretary, Monaragala spoke on Women with Disabilities and the Responsibility of the State.Ms. SwwarnaMalkanthi from Wellassa organization shared her Experience of being a Woman with a Disability. The key note address on Disability and Society was done by Ms. Manique Gunaratne (Vice President, South Asian Disability Forum, SLFRD and The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon Network on Disability). Leading women with disabilities in Monaragala district was recognised and awarded certificates on this day.
Empowering Women with Disabilities and the Role of the Provincial Ministry was done by Hon. Kumarasiri Rathnayake – Provincial Minister, Social Services & Women Affairs. The Monaragala declaration of women with disabilities was handed over to the Provincial Council Minister. Deputy Minister, Ms. Sumedha G. Jayasena also addressed the gathering. Mr. Tikiri Kumara Jayawardena fromWellassa Organization moderated the panel discussion. The following panelists spoke on different topics. Evolution of Women Development & Women Rights in Sri Lanka was by Mrs. U. D. N. Seelawathie – UvaWellassa Women Farmers Organization. Swedish Experience of Women with Disabilities was by Ms. Asa Kristina – Society without Borders’s (DHR) Sweden.Ms. KanchanaPradeepa De Silvafrom the Disability Organization Joint front and Secretary, Sri Lanka Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled spoke on Importance of Social Inclusion of Women with Disabilities. Exploitation of Girl Child & Women and the Role of Sri Lanka Police was delivered by IP Mrs. Chamila Priyadarshanee – Officer in Charge, Divisional Child & Women Bureau. Smiling faces of women with disabilities in Monaragala district showed their courage and how empowered they are to face challenges.
Picture descriptions:
1 Banner of the programme.
2 Key note speech by Manique.
3 Manique and Kanchana joined the walk together with women with disabilities in Monaragala.
4 Manique in the audience.
5 Manique, Kanchana and Subhani.
6 Manique with Asa and Fedrik from Sweden at entrance of the auditorium.
7 Walk.
8 Happy bunch of ladies in the walk.
Manique Gunaratne
