Ms. Manique Gunaratne together with MIUSA (Mobility International USA) women with disabilities from the Asian region   attended the Beijing+25 Regional CSO Forum, at the UNESCAP, United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand in November 2019. The forum was organised by the Asia-Pacific Beijing+25 Civil Society Steering Committee with support from UN Women’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. The Beijing+25 review process begins in 2019 and will culminate in a global review at the 64th Session of the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW) in March 2020. The global review will

highlight the achievements and barriers to the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). It will also provide an opportunity to look at emerging issues which

have served to restrict women’s enjoyment of their rights.

Ms. Manique Gunaratne was a panelist at the side event on “Intersectionality: how to make it real” mainstreaming women with disabilities and their diverse realities organised by Rising Flames.

The “Brilliant & Resilient” photo exhibition by MIUSA was also held at the United Nations Conference Centre.

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

1 Group photograph.

2 Group of women with disabilities.

3 Group with the UN Logo.

4 Manique at the United Nations Conference Centre.

5 Manique at the CSO Forum.

6 Manique with the banner.

7 Manique with the photo at the photo exhibition.

8 Manique with the UN logo.

9 Sri Lankan participants.

10 Manique at the United Nations Conference Centre entrance.

11 At the conference.

12 Manique at the panel discussion.

Manique Gunaratne

Executive Committee Member – Internet Society Sri Lanka Chapter

Mobility International USA is an international exchange organization that has sponsored educational exchange and leadership training programs since 1981, to improve the lives of people with disabilities around the world. Ms. Manique Gunaratne participated in MIUSA’s Regional Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) – Asia program, as a Trainer at Pulman King Power Hotel  in Bangkok, Thailand in November 2019. Women with disabilities from China, India, Nepal, Mongolia, Thailand and Sri Lanka participated at this forum.

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

1 Participants at table.

2 Participants at table.

3 Group photograph of participants.

4 Group photographs with interpreters.

5 Manique with Susan with the certificate.

Manique Gunaratne

Youtube: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCMBhDQ516xwVr86zKLM1HUw?utm_campaign=upgrade&utm_medium=redirect&utm_source=%2Fdashboard

Women with diverse disabilities in all corners of Sri Lanka got the opportunity to speak for their rights at a programme organised by the Disability Organisations’ Joint Front at Hotel Sapphire in July 2019. Ms. Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon conducted the session on “Difficulties faced by vision impaired women and possible solutions”.

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

1 Manique conducting the session.

2 Manique and Rasanjali

3 Manique presenting.

4 Participants.

Manique Gunaratne

Viber: 0094779571918

UN Women together with The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon are trying to improve the quality of women with disabilities through employment in the private sector. UN Women Sri Lanka is supporting government’s ongoing efforts in addressing issues confronted by women with disabilities, especially disadvantages with respect to economic empowerment – an important dimension in disability rights. EFC shared the best practices which have been implemented to improve the quality of employability skills of women with disabilities and on gainful employment.

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

Ms. Manique Gunaratne with the team from UN Women.

Manique Gunaratne

Advisory Board Member – 18+ Alliance for Care Leavers (SOS Children’s Village)

International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world on 8 March every year. Unilever Sri Lanka Horana Factory celebrated the International Women’s Day with the factory staff. Ms. Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon was the guest speaker at this event. It was a different experience for women to realise that women with disabilities are also part of the society.

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

1 Audience.

2 Lighting the oil lamp.

3 Manique with the audience.

4 Manique presenting.

5 Manique at the head table.

6 Participants.

Manique Gunaratne

Viber: 0094779571918

The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women celebrated International Women’s Day in March 2019 with the theme ‘Inspiring Women’.  As a person who has inspired so many, the SLFUW invited Ms. Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon as the guest speaker. Everyone was so happy to hear a woman with a disability speaking to enrich the lives of both persons with disabilities and persons with non-disabilities.

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

1 Group photograph of pannalists and executive committee of Sri Lanka Federation of University Women.

2 Rukshan and Manique.

3 Manique speaking.

4 Manique making a presentation.

5 Pannel with participants.

Manique Gunaratne

Mobile – 0094779571918