Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre organised a programme on Mobilizing Women Leaders with #Disabilities for Inclusive Responses to Gender-Based Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic in North Central Province in February 2021. The programme was held at the Sahana Association for the Disabled in Anuradhapura.
Among the areas covered were:
Mechanisms behind how violence intersects with gender and disability.
Reflection on caregiver’s experience on gender-based violence faced by women with disabilities and awareness on the role and responsibilities of caregivers during pandemics.
Challenges and methods to overcome these barriers during the pandemic by women with disabilities concerning gender-based violence.
Educating on the support systems available for women with disabilities related to gender-based violence locally.
Group PhotographGroup Photograph Group Photograph Introduction of the ProgrammeTrainer & The Sign Language InterpreterAwarding CertificateAwarding CertificateThe participant with TrainerAwarding CertificateAwarding CertificatePreparing the Action PlanPreparing the Action PlanAwarding CertificateAwarding CertificateAwarding CertificateAwarding CertificateSession on the services available on GBVParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsRole PlayRole PlayRole PlayRole PlayRole PlayParticipants and Resource PersonsAwarding CertificateAwarding CertificateSign Language Interpretation
Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre organised a programme on Mobilizing Women Leaders with #Disabilities for Inclusive Responses to Gender-Based Violence During the COVID Pandemic in Eastern Province in February 2021. The programme was held at the National Institute for Social Development (NISD) in Ampara. Women with and without disabilities and men with and without disabilities were trained as training of trainers (Tot). Some of the areas covered during this programme were:
Introduction to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH).
Understanding on SRH and Sexual violence for women with disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Educating on Family Planning, Subfertility and Abortion for women with disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prevention of Sexual Violence for women with disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic and instructions for legal assistance.
Preparing the Action PlanParticipantsParticipants at the session on GBVParticipantsInteractive SessionGroup PhotographGroup PhotographGroup PhotographWelcoming of ParticipantsAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesLighting the Digital Oil LampSharing Experiences Sharing Experiences Awarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesSign Language InterpretationsPreparing the Action PlanPreparing the Action Plan
Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre organized a programme on Mobilizing Women Leaders with #Disabilities for Inclusive Responses to Gender-Based Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Northwestern Province in January 2021. The programme was organized with the support of the District Disability Forum in Puttalam and was held at the District Secretariat Office in Puttalam. This project is conducted at the provincial level and the national level. A support network was built with 82 organizations to support during an emergency or in a similar type of pandemic situation in the future.
51 women with disabilities and 10 men with disabilities were introduced among 30 women with non-disabilities and 10 men with non-disabilities under the “Best budding” concept (companion) to ensure the safety and well-being of persons with disabilities against gender-based violence. Women with disabilities received the opportunity to join and get eligibility for the ‘Be-Safe’ mobile app via the Android operating system. 280 hygiene kits which consist of sanitary essentials such as masks, sanitisers, sanitary pads, washing powder, soap etc. were distributed with the sponsorship of UNFPA and Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka.
Group PhotographParticipants Participants Sign Language InterpretationSign Language InterpretationSign Language InterpretationAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesParticipantsDonating a White Cane to a Visually Impaired PersonDonating White Canes to Organisations to be Distributed Among MembersSession in ProgressSession in ProgressSession in ProgressAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesSession in ProgressWelcoming the ParticipantsWelcoming the ParticipantsIntroduction to Gender-based Violence SessionParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsGroup ActivityGroup ActivityGroup ActivityIcebreaker ActivityIcebreaker ActivityParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsLighting the Virtual Oil LampGroup ActivityGroup ActivityParticipants
#Manique Gunaratne Country Representative – World Disability and Rehabilitation Professionals’ Association (WDRPA)
Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre organized a programme on Mobilizing Women Leaders with #Disabilities for Inclusive Responses to Gender-Based Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Southern Province in January 2021. The programme was held at the Equality Based Community Support & Training (ECSAT) in Galle. Exceptional accomplishments of these programmes are; 51 women with disabilities, 30 women with non-disabilities, 10 men with disabilities and 10 men with non-disabilities (total of 101) ToTs were trained in the physical environment on mobilizing women leaders with disabilities to for inclusive responses to Gender-based Violence during the COVID pandemic. It was conducted in all 09 provinces of Sri Lanka and 01 national-level programmes to reach precise grass root levels within communities of Sri Lanka.
27 women with disabilities, 13 women with non-disabilities, 05 men with disabilities & 04 men with non-disabilities were trained virtually on the same topic as well.
Group PhotographAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding Certificates Group ActivityGroup Activity
Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre organized a programme on Mobilizing Women Leaders with #Disabilities for Inclusive Responses to Gender-Based Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sabaragamuwa Province in January 2021. The programme was held at Sri Ramya Reception Hall in Ratnapura. The provincial-level programmes were structured to have consultations with stakeholders and resource persons, Promoting “Be-Safe” App (This app will help women with disabilities to be safe and get information and peer support in Covid period and emergency), Production of GBV video, Communication materials: leaflets, social-media posts & videos, radio programs, capacity building of TOT in Sexual and Reproductive Health to minimize the Gender-Base Violence and building a network support system.
35 women with a physical disability, 22 hearing impaired women, 2 women with a learning disability, 17 vision impaired women and 2 women with psychosocial disability benefitted through physical and virtual training from the grassroots level. 43 women with non-disability and 15 men with non-disability were also sensitized on the prevention of gender-based violence during the Covid-19 pandemic. Organizations working for Persons with Disabilities, Civil Organizations, Government Departments, Ministries, Women Ministry, Human Rights Organizations, Women Networks, Women’s Organizations, Universities, Research Institutes, Police Department, Embassies, Legal Organizations, Mental Health Organizations, Media, Sexual & Reproductive Health Organizations, USA Organizations, UN Organizations, Rural Development Organizations andSchools supported this initiative to support women with a disability during Covid-19 pandemic.
ParticipantsParticipantsStanding for the National AnthemHearing-impaired Participants with a Sign Language InterpreterAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesGroup ActivityGroup ActivityGroup ActivityGroup PhotographGroup PhotographSexually Transmitted Diseases During the Covid-19 Session in ProgressResource Person and Sign Language InterpreterAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesWhat is Gender-based Violence Session in ProgressCause of Gender-based Violence Session in Progress ParticipantsParticipantsAwarding CertificatesAwarding Certificates Awarding CertificatesWelcoming the ParticipantsParticipants
Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre organised a programme on Mobilizing Women Leaders with #Disabilities for Inclusive Responses to Gender-Based Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Central Province in January 2021. The programme was organised with the support of the “We for Our Rights” organisation in the Kandy district. The programme was held at the Centre for Handicapped in Kandy. These provincial-level programmes aim to build or strengthen partnerships between non-disability specific development organizations, government, and women leaders with a disability to promote inclusive GBV services and programmes in COVID-19 pandemic responses.
Group Photograph Group PhotographStanding for the National AnthemThe Lighting of the Oil LampSRHR Session in ProgressIntroduction to GBV SessionGroup ActivityThe Group at the End of the TrainingAwarding the CertificateAwarding the CertificateAwarding the CertificateAwarding the CertificateAwarding the CertificateThe Project Team with the Sign Language InterpreterParticipantsIntroduction by ManiqueAwarding the CertificateAwarding the CertificateAwarding the CertificateAwarding the Certificate Awarding the CertificateCauses of GBVParticipant SpeakingParticipant SpeakingParticipant SpeakingParticipantsSexually Transmitted Diseases SessionParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsGroup Photograph Group Activity
Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre organized a programme on Mobilizing Women Leaders with #Disabilities for Inclusive Responses to Gender-Based Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Uva Province in January 2021. The programme was organized with the support of the Wellassa Organization for the Disabled in Monaragala district and was held at Little Rose Inn Hotel in Vallawaya.
The programme was organized to strengthen the inclusivity of community and government COVID responses to protect the fundamental freedoms of women and girls with disabilities. The objective was to Mobilize disabled women in leading efforts to promote inclusive gender-based violence (GBV) services and programming during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Introduction on “mobilizing women leaders with disabilities for “inclusive responses to gender-based violence during the Covid-19 pandemic” and “Briefing on what is GBV for women with disabilities during Covid-19 pandemic” were some of the areas covered at these training at the provincial level. The programme was conducted under the leadership of Ms. #Manique Gunaratne.
A Participant With A Physical Disability Speaking Partially Sighted Participant Speaking Hearing-impaired Participant Speaking Introducing Participants Conducting the Session Training MaterialsTraining MaterialsSession in ProgressSession in ProgressAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesLighting Virtual Oil LampLighting Virtual Oil Lamp Introduction of the Programme With Sign Language Interpretation Introduction of the ProgrammeAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesConducting a Session with Sign Language Interpretation Conducting a SessionOnline Session in ProgressResource Person Connecting OnlineConducting a Session OnlineAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesFeedback SessionParticipantsParticipantsAwarding CertificatesAwarding CertificatesGroup ActivityGroup ActivityGroup Photograph with Participants Holding Certificates Group Photograph of the ParticipantsStanding for the National Anthem
Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre jointly organised the webinar on Mobilizing Women Leaders with #Disabilities for ‘Inclusive Responses to Gender-Based Violence During the COVID Pandemic’ in November 2020.
Community and government responses to the global
COVID-19 pandemic are further perpetuating domestic violence against women and
girls with disabilities by the exclusion of women and girls with disabilities
in decision-making processes, and denying women and girls with disabilities
access to timely and vital communication, information, services, and protection
measures.
This webinar was focused on the situation of women with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges they face, particularly on the issue of gender-based violence. Participants were encouraged to join this call to explore information on existing efforts and opportunities to work collaboratively to address this issue going forward.
The Guest Speaker was from the US Embassy – Mr Adam Smith. Project introduction was done by #Manique Gunaratne. common forms of GBV among persons with disabilities, Role of Mainstream Women Organisations and women with non-disabilities in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) for women with disability, Importance of Sexual and reproductive health concerning GBV, Protection and Support systems available for GBV, What is GBV and How does violence intersect with gender and disability? Were discussed.
Session on Sexual and Reproductive Health Manique Conducting the Session Presentation on Screen Session on Causes for GBV UNFPA Presentation Session on the Inclusion of Women with Disability into Mainstream Women OrganisationsMIUSA Conducting the Session
