Empowerment of Women Local Government Councilors- Program of SAPRI- Brief Introduction to the Program

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.