The Rehabilitation & Human Services of The Pennsylvania State University – Abington College in USA and World University Services of Canada (WUSC) is conducting a research on health, education, vocational training and employment for women with disabilities in Sri Lanka. Ms. Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre together with 15 women with disabilities (EFC trainees) contributed with valuable inputs for this research.

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

1 Manique and Prof. Abby from USA.

2 Manique and Puvaneswari.

3 Manique

Manique Gunaratne

Expert Body of the Sub Committee on Persons with Disabilities – Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka

Law & Society Trust, together with researchers from

the Institute for Culture and Society at Western

Sydney University, have collaborated in an innovative

report documenting the stories of hardship and

resilience of Sri Lankan women with disabilities living

in war affected areas.

Women with disabilities and advocates of their rights

were active participants in directing the course of

this project, assisting researchers to shape and

develop the final report recommendations as a starting

point for a social, cultural and legal transformation to

achieve the aspirations of women with disabilities in

Sri Lanka, who have thus far received minimal

recognition in the domestic context.

The official launch of the Law & Society Trust, and Western Sydney University’s collaborative report: ‘OUT OF THE SHADOWS’ A STUDY OF WAR AFFECTED WOMEN

WITH DISABILITIES IN SRI LANKA was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation in July 2018. Ms. Manique Gunaratne and Ms. Ayasana Gunasekera from The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon ICT Training & Disability Resource Centre Joined to hear from the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka in response to the findings and recommendations

presented.

Law & Society Trust is a not-for-profit organisation

engaged in human rights documentation, legal

research, and advocacy in Sri Lanka.

The Institute for Culture and Society researches

transformations in culture and society in the context

of contemporary global change. It champions

collaborative engaged research in the humanities

and social sciences for a globalizing digital age.

Manique Gunaratne

Manager – Specialise Training and Disability Resource Centre of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon

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Manique Gunaratne

Vice Chair Person – South Asian Disability Forum

The training came to an end with a closing dinner. The participants received the certificates from the MIUSA staff and the Trainers. All women with disabilities had an evening filled with fun, laughter and dancing.

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

1 Manique, ayasana, Devni and Nimalika.

2 Mr. Vajira Ellepola speaking.

3 Dancing.

4 Trainers.

5 Manique, Ayasana and Susan.

6 Manique speaking.

7 Awarding certificates.

8 Presenting certificates.

Manique Gunaratne

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon,

385 J3 Old Kotte Road,

Rajagiriya,

Sri Lanka.