The program for the “Empowerment of Women Local Government Councilors” launched by the South Asia Policy and Research Institute (SAPRI) , partnered with the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands aimed to capacitate Women Local Government Councilors, following the Local Government Election held in February, 2018, which saw the enforcement of a 25% quota for Women Councilors, as a measure to encourage women’s participation in active politics.
In recognition of the
need to enhance the skills and capacities of Women Councilors, SAPRI’s Program
selected Ampara, Colombo, Gampaha and Vavuniya Districts, to cater to a diverse
socio-ethnic and political-economic setting. Approximately 200 women councilors
representing a variety of political parties as well as ethno-religious and
linguistic backgrounds, from over 25 local governing bodies participated in the
program that spanned for a year, from May 2018.
Capacity Building
Workshops conducted in each district; which were followed by Awareness Raising
Workshops; Sessions with Diplomats and Leaders of Private Sector held in the
districts, on the home turf of the Councilors; and a meeting with members of
Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus bringing them to Colombo were the significant
activities of the Program. In order to carry forward the objectives of the
effort after the conclusion of the Program, a National Advisory Panel of
Experts to provide guidance and advice to the Women Councilors was set up, as
the concluding item of the Program, to charter a way forward.
It was gratifying to see
the Women Councilors taking the lead and with guidance from the Experts,
prepare a road map for the forthcoming year. The Councilors formed their own
District Working Committees to plan, design, and implement projects in their
districts, which included ‘Shrama Daana’ by school children and parents; Health
Clinics for the elderly; raising awareness programs for pregnant and other
mothers; dental Clinics for students; informal education for the elderly; and
activities such as street drama. All events would include participants from all
religions and ethnicities, thus raising the concept
of harmony and co-existence in the districts.
