2010
• Women's Convention, 2010WMC and 30 other women's organizations from around the country participated at the Women's Convention on the 7th and 8th of January 2010, The Convention which was held in Colombo was used as a platform to discuss women's concerns within the current political context of the country.
2009
• Meeting with Women’s GroupsOn the 24th June, 2009 women activists from a number of women’s organizations in Sri Lanka participated at a meeting organized by WMC. A total of 30 women from organizations participated at the meeting. The meeting was in the form of a discussion and sharing of ideas and experiences, where all participants discussed a number of issues of concern and strategies to face them.
June 2009
• Media Statement- Protest letter on abduction of journalist Krishni IfhamA number of women for civil society organizations issued a media statement to all media institutions condemning the abduction of journalist Krishni Ifham on the 24th of June 2009. Available in Statements and Related Documents.
June 2009
• Publication : Strategic Mapping of Women’s Peace Activism in Sri LankaThe Women and Media Collective undertook a Research Study with the support from International Alert to map Women’s Peace Activism in Sri Lanka for the strategic implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325. The project involved identifying women’s groups and women’s peace initiatives in Sri Lanka, conducting a mapping of the selected group of women’s organizations/networks and peace initiatives in Sri Lanka. The report is published in English , Tamil and Sinhala.
• Roundtable discussion on Women, Peace and Security in Sri LankaWMC organized a roundtable discussion on Women, Peace and Security in Sri Lanka, Using the framework on of the Un Security Concil Resolution 1325 and 1820. A Senior Programme Associate at the International Women's Tribune Centre also shared her experiences at the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss on the current peace and security situation in Sri Lanka and to share experiences on how we (can) work together using the frameworks of 1325 and 1820. Ms. Balleza gave a brief presentation on the Women Peace Builders Community of Practice (WPBCoP) - a network of NGOs and women's groups working on peace and security, to highlight the ways in which women’s NGO’s can engage in collective actions, to draw out the most effective outcomes of these resolutions. The key features, strengths and limitations, and recommendations of UNSCR 1820 and UNHCR 1325 were also discussed.
April 2009
A key point of the discussion was to understand how we can use these resolutions effectively and what the shortcomings are. Women from 13 organizations attended this meeting and each of them did a small presentation of the work they do at their organization in relation to these resolutions, in particular UNSCR 1325.
• Inter-generational MeetingAn intergenerational meeting of older and younger activists/feminists was held at WMC on the 23rd of March 2009. The objective of the intergenerational discussion between younger and older women was to share experiences and discuss possible strategies for dealing with common concerns of conflict, violence and impunity. The discussion was informal, interactive with many of the participants – both older and younger – sharing their own experiences of the conflict and discussing possible means of addressing this situation in a more proactive manner.
• International Women's Day
08.03.2009WMC celebrated International Women's Day 2009 at a meeting organized by the Praja Diriya Padanama of Puttalam. Click here to see photos of the event.
2008
• Human Rights Day
10th DecemberWMC along with other non-governmental organizations participated in a rally in commemoration of Human Rights Day 2008 at the Lipton Circus. It was followed by a meeting held at the Public Library.
• WMC along with other Women's Organizations, released a letter of condemnation on 03.10.2008 regarding the recent grenade attack on the residence of Mr. J.C. Weliamuna, well known and respected human rights lawyer.
Click here to see the letter.
• International Peace Day
21st SeptemberWMC marked International Peace Day on the 21st of September 2008 by sponsoring several television and radio musical programs to broadcast peace songs. The songs were broadcast in the following channels.
- Derana TV – Peace Day Musical Program
- Swarnavahini – Hada Randi Paya
- Sinhala Commercial Service - FM 93.3, 106.9, 96.9
- Thendral FM - FM 104.8, 105.6, 107.9
- English Commercial Service - FM 95.6, 96.4, 100.2
• People’s SAARC
JulyThe South Asian People’s Assembly (People’s SAARC 2008) was held in Colombo on July 18, 19 and 20 at the Viharamahadevi Park. Sine 1993, there has been a regular and ongoing process of collaboration, discussion, strategizing and action across South Asia parallel to the meeting of heads of government of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The Women and Media Collective co-ordinated the People’s Parade, which drew a crowd of over 5000 participants on the final day of the assembly.
Click here for photographs from People’s SAARC 2008
• Consultation on Strategic Mapping of Women’s Peace Activism in Sri Lanka
AprilThe Women and Media Collective undertook a Research Study to map Women’s Peace Activism in Sri Lanka for the strategic implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325. The study was conducted with the support from International Alert. The project involved identifying women’s groups and women’s peace initiatives in Sri Lanka, conducting a mapping of the selected group of women’s organizations/networks and peace initiatives in Sri Lanka, preparation of a report recording the findings and analysis of the mapping and conducting a stakeholder consultation to strategize on the use and implementation of Resolution 1325 in the context of the ongoing conflict, peace and security in Sri Lanka. The mapping was done with 17 organizations, including networks that have been involved in peace building work in Sri Lanka. Click here to see the draft report.
• International Women’s Day 2008
Women’s Organizations United to Celebrate International Women’s Day 2008A network involving more than 25 women’s organizations under the name “Women’s Organizations United to Celebrate International Women’s Day” organized a symposium, a protest march and a demonstration on 8th March 2008. The symposium was held at the Mahaweli Centre in Colombo and discussed issues concerning the current political situation, the war and its effect on women, the economic crisis and rising cost of living, increased violence against women and media repression. A Women’s Day statement was also issued in English, Sinhala and Tamil.
8th March 2008, Colombo
Click here to view statement in English / Sinhala / Tamil
After the symposium, the protest march which was attended by more than 2000 women activists began from Victoria Park, proceeded along Alexandra Road and culminated at the Lipton Circle, where a demonstration and picket was held. Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim women from all parts of the country attended this march.
Click here to see photos
• Encounter group-project
February, MarchSpearheaded and coordinated by Women and Media Collective (WMC), the proposed encounter group is a way of creating a space for people to address, discuss, confront, and mediate their ideas and experiences of subjective realities (of the conflict) in a genuine, truthful, and respectful manner. Initial discussions were conducted from the month of October to plan out the activities.
The encounter group provides people with a safe environment in which people can give a voice to their suppressed realities that are not welcome elsewhere, with the objective of addressing them and moving on to a different reality. Encounter groups have been conducted in several countries around the world dealing with decades of ethnic and/or civil war. It has been proven to be one of the most effective non-violent approaches to conflict mediation.
Twelve women were selected through interviews. The group participated in one workshop of introducing the concept of Encounter Groups and in six 1.5 hour encounter groups in the month of February and March 2008. The group met once every week for six weeks. Participants said they felt quite comfortable and were able to express their views openly unlike at other meetings.
• We Women campaign
JanuaryThe Women and Media Collective was part of the ‘We Women’ coalition in the month of January. ‘We Women’ is a coalition of individual women and women’s groups who came together in the event of Sri Lanka celebrating 60 years of independence in 2008. The objective of forming this coalition was to collectively and critically reflect on the achievements of the women’s movement in Sri Lanka in a context of civil war, economic liberalisation and globalisation, the continuing and emerging challenges to achieving substantive equality for women, to rethink our strategies for the future, and embark on some collective activities to rebuild solidarity amongst women’s groups. Some critical areas of concern for women in Sri Lanka on the 60th anniversary of Independence identified by this coalition were: War and militarization; women’s participation and representation in politics; feminization of unskilled labour; women’s health; the feminisation of poverty; and violence against women. Five of radio spots were conceptualized in Sinahla and English to be broadcast on Independence Day (February 4). The radio spots were broadcast on TNL radio network 35 times during the day. A declaration was prepared based on the critical concern areas mentioned above and was published in the Sinhala (Lankadeepa), English (Daily Mirror) and Tamil (Veerakesari) news papers on the same day.
Click here to view Declaration in English / Sinhala / Tamil
2007
• International Peace Day
September 21
To mark International Peace Day on 21st September 2007, a street exhibition of creative artwork designed by women was held. The artwork banners were based on the theme of peace, and were designed by women's organizations from different areas around Sri Lanka. The WMC organized this event. Click here to see photos
• Protest to stop eviction of Tamils from Colombo
June 8
A large number of concerned persons from civil society representing both organisations and individuals gathered at Lipton Circus, Colombo from 12.00 – 1.00 pm to protest against the government order to evict Tamils from Colombo lodges, and the forced transportation of over 300 Tamils who had been living in lodges to Jaffna and Trincomalee on the 7th of June. The WMC was among the groups that facilitated this event.
Click here to see photos
• Protest against abductions and the two Red Cross staff who were killed
June 6
To protest against the killing of two Red Cross staff members and recent abductions that had taken place, a peaceful protest was held at Fort railway station. About 200 people from the humanitarian aid community and others came together to express their concern. The WMC had banners and signboards stating "We share your grief", "Let's protect the right to live" and "Stop killing civilians", written in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Protesters wore black masks over their mouths to show their disapproval for the abductions and killings.
• International Women’s Day
March 8
International Women’s Day 2007 was celebrated by over 1,000 women from 40 women’s organizations belonging to the network Sri Lanka Women for Peace and Democracy. The women who attended were from Moneragala, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Hatton, Puttalam, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Mahiyanganaya, Wilpotha, Rajanganay, Welikanda, Singhapura, Hambantota, Galle, Buttala, Badulla, Matara, Ratnapura, Negombo, Kalutara, Colombo, Moratuwa, Ja-Ela, Katunayake, Ekala, Kandana, Nuwara Eliya, Nittambuwa and Kantale.
The picket and march was held outside the Fort Railway Station based on the theme “Let’s Protect our Right to Life and Peace” and was followed by a dynamic street play performed by the Praja Diriya Padanama, a women’s organization based in Puttalam.
The WMC has produced a card featuring a creative banner designed by the Women's Centre, Ekala, Sri Lanka. The banner was displayed at the 2007 International Peace Day Street Exhibition organized by the WMC in Colombo. The cards are blank inside and can be used for any occasion. Each card costs Rs. 25/-. Please contact Sulochana or Chithra on 2690201 or 5632045 to order cards.
View card - Front cover | Back cover
Click here to see photos
2006
• Women’s Peace Vigil for International Peace Day
September 21
To mark International Peace Day, a Women’s Peace Vigil was held on 21st September 2006 at Lipton Circus, Colombo. Women gathered from many parts of the island, including Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Puttlum, Kurunegala, Balangoda, Galewela, Galle, Buttala, Badulla, Hatton, Mahiyanganaya, Jaela and Colombo. The peace vigil was to commemorate International Peace Day and to convey to the government, the LTTE and the international community our commitment to peace in Sri Lanka, and to request that peace talks resume urgently. The vigil ended by releasing colourful balloons with messages of peace attached, and the group marched around Vihara Maha Devi Park with peace banners.
Click here to see photos
• Submission of “Human Rights and Humanitarian Concerns of Women”
September 8
The International Centre for Ethnic Studies, the Women & Media Collective and INFORM, jointly submitted a document, 'Human Rights and Humanitarian Concerns of Women' to the Co-Chairs Meeting which was held on 12 September 2006 in Brussels.
A submission on gender issues was also made by various women's groups to the Panel of Experts on Constitutional Reform appointed by H.E. The President Mahinda Rajapakse. View Statement
• Weekly Peace Vigils at Lipton Circus
August 4 – October 4
A peace vigil was held at Lipton Circus on Wednesdays, organised by women, humanitarian and human rights organisations including WMC. People from local and international communities came together to protest against war and political killings in the country.
Click here to see photos
• Media Statement- Women Condemn the Attack on Civilians at Kebithigollewa
June 16
The Sri Lankan Women for Peace and Democracy (SLWPD), of which WMC is a member, issued a Media Statement to all media institutions condemning the claymore attack allegedly by the LTTE on a passenger bus at Kebethigollewa on the 15th of June 2006.
Although it was sent to all media institutions, it was actually published only in the Daily Mirror on Saturday 24th June 2006 and in the Island on 25th June 2006.
View Statement
• Press Advertisement - “Women say No to War”
May 21
The WMC sent a statement to H.E. Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Sri Lanka, to the LTTE, the IGP and to the English, Sinhala and Tamil News papers calling for responsible behaviour and an appeal to stop the killings on both sides, the government and the LTTE. This statement was sent together with 118 women’s signatures. This statement was published on 21st May in the newspapers Sunday Times, Lankadeepa and Veerakesari and on the 24th May 2006 in the Daily News.
View Advertisement in English / Sinhala / Tamil• Peace Advocacy Radio Spots
May 11 – 14 (Vesak Week)
The WMC used the medium of radio to strengthen peace advocacy by placing a series of 10 second Radio Spot Advertisements during the Vesak Week. This was broadcast in Sinhala on Sha FM and SLBC 11th - 14th of May 2006. The messages appealed for an end to all violence and killings.
Click here to hear soundtrack of Spot Ad.• Vesak Month Banner Campaign
May 2006
A banner campaign for the Vesak month was launched by the Sri Lanka Women for Peace and Democracy (SLWPD), demanding an end to the war. All the slogans used were related to Buddihsm as it was the Vesak Month and 36 banners were designed in Sinhala (yellow banners with letters in Black). These banners were displayed near pandols, famous temples and at major roundabouts in Colombo, Anuradhapura, Katunayake, Polonnaruwa, and Galle. Click here for photos• Media Release - “Defend Women’s Right to Work”
April 2006
The Women and Media Collective issued a Media Statement with 65 women's signatures as a response to the ban on women working in NGOs in the North and the East. The same statement with signatures was sent to the President, District Secretary in Amparai and Batticaloa and the LTTE Heads in the North and East.
View Media Release• Radio Spot Advertisements to commemorate 4th Year of CFA
February 22
Twelve 15 second Radio Spot Advertisements, in Sinhala, English and Tamil were aired on Sirasa FM, Yes FM, Y-FM and Shakthi FM. The following message was aired through this advertisement:
"The Ceasefire agreement is four years old.
No more war!
Let's strengthen the ceasefire
Peace - not war
Life – not death
This is the appeal of women of Sri Lanka
By Women and Media Collective"
• Animated TV Advertisements
February 22, 23
A 30 second animated TV Advertisement was aired in all three languages, requesting that the CFA be protected. This ad was aired on Sirasa TV, MTV, Shakti TV and Swarnavahini• Katunayake Peace Vigil
February 20
The Sri Lanka Women for Peace and Democracy held a peace vigil on 20th February 2006 in Katunayake. Through this demonstration we hoped to convey our fervent desire for peace in Sri Lanka, to the Government and LTTE delegations that were leaving to Geneva for the Peace Talks, early morning on 20th February. More than 200 women took part from various organizations for this vigil. Click here to see photos
• Memorandum to the President and LTTE
February 10
On 10th February 2006, the Sri Lanka Women for Peace and Democracy submitted a Memorandum to H.E. Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Sri Lanka and to Mr. V. Prabhakaran, Leader of the LTTE, calling for “A Secure Ceasefire and the Resumption of Peace Talks.” A copy of this Memorandum was also sent to the Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and to the LTTE’s Political Wing Leader S.P. Thamilselvan as well as to all media institutions.
English | Sinhala | Tamil
• Peace Vigils
February 1 – 28
On 1st February 2006, the Sri Lanka Women for Peace and Democracy commenced a daily peace vigil, based on the theme “Life not Death; Peace not War” (Monday to Friday) at the Lipton Circus, between 12.30 pm and 1.00 pm. Every weekday, about 10-12 women from a number of Colombo based civil society organizations as well as women from the business community came together This vigil continued till the 28th of February 2006 in commemoration of the Ceasefire Agreement signed in February 2002.
• Peace Vigil to coincide with Norwegian Facilitator's visit to Jaffna
January 23
On 23rd January 2006, the Sri Lanka Women for Peace and Democracy (SLWPD) held its second peace vigil at the Vavuniya Town, to coincide with Norwegian Facilitator Erik Solheim’s visit to Jaffna. However, due to security reasons which came up as a result of a major attack at Adampan on Saturday 21st January, they were compelled to hold the vigil at Lipton Circus. More than 300 women from different districts, including Kurunegala, Puttalam, Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura gathered at the Viharamaha Devi Park and marched towards Lipton Circus, in a silent appeal to both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to resume negotiations and strengthen the Ceasefire Agreement. The SLWPD then proceeded to the Norwegian Embassy and handed over a petition to Mr. Solheim, urging an end to the escalating violence and a return to peace. The SLWPD then proceeded towards the Norwegian Embassy and handed over a petition to Mr. Solheim, urging an end to the escalating violence and a return to peace.
2005
• Peace Campaign - "Life not Death; Peace Not War"
December 20
In December 2005, the Sri Lankan Women for Peace and Democracy (SLWPD), a group of women’s organizations facilitate by the Women and Media Collective launched a peace campaign on the theme “Life not Death; Peace not War,” demanding that the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE resume negotiations and call for an end to the escalating violence and the disruption of the Ceasefire Agreement. Since then the peace campaign has continued every month, with women from various districts gathering together at Lipton Circus in Colombo, calling in one voice and one demand, for an end to the violence, an end to the killings, an end to the war and a return to peace
2002
• International Women's Mission to the North and East of Sri Lanka
October 12 – 17
WMC facilitated an International Women’s Mission to the Conflict Affected areas with the aim of promoting the establishment of a gender sensitive Peace Process in 2001. The Findings and Recommendations of this Mission were published in a booklet titled "Women's Concerns and the Peace Process" in 2002.