"For the wellbeing of the Nation" It is Time to Build the Nation with a Women’s Perspective.

Report of the media discussion held regarding the necessity of Women’s intervention in womens problems to mark the International Women’s Day.

The above media discussion was organized by the “Womens’ Action for Social Justice” (WASJ) and was held at the Nippon Hotel, Colombo , Sri Lanka on 15.03.2012 from 1400 hrs – 1600 hrs. Six audio visual and print media Institutions (VFM, BBC, MTV/SIRASA, Asia News, Daily News, Divaina and Dinamina) participated in this discussion.

 The objective of this media discussion was to apprise the Civil Society and those in authority to combat the existing social, economic and political process in the Country based on power force and violence and what was required was a procedure with a human approach in lieu, based on womenly qualities ie. love and kindness. 

Some of the questions addressed at the media discussion :-

• The necessity of a procedure to confirm the good governance in the Country and in it’s absence the existence of a series of problems.

• Cost of living, indebtedness and taxation placed on the masses should be prevented. As regards wastageand corruption which have become the order of the day, the masses have to bear the brunt of it. Suppression of those who speak regarding the existing situation in the Country.

• The new development process in the country was not for the general public. This had contributed to the deterioration of the production process. Grabbing of lands too was discussed.

• Women in the Country should not be treated as cheap labour, Although the women contribute immensely as foreign exchange earners no attention paid to their problems and grievances.

• The security of Women in the country and the Women’s position in the Country’s politics.

Those present discussed in detail that the present social, economic and political situation which pressurizes especially the women should be avoided.

At the conclusion, the media document formulated by the Womens Action for Social Justice was handed over to the media representatives.

 

The meeting adjourned at 1600 hrs. 

Procedure for the establishment of a peace bridge linking the North, the East and the South – Stage II

For the above purpose 20 persons representing the South (represented by 12) North – Jaffna represented by 03, East – Batticaloa represented by 03 and Vauvniya represented by 02 participated at the meeting held on 01.11.2011 at village Development foundation, Mannar Road Vauvniya commercing at 0930 a.m.

Miss Padma Pushpakanthi of the Savisthri Movement representing the South pointed out :-

That in view of the fact that women had been greatly inconvinced by the various problems that cropped up as a consequence of the long drawn war, time had come for women to take the lead in preserving peace in the country.

 This was an attempt made to collect the views, feelings and expectations of the women in the North and the South for the establishment of sustainable peace amongst various ethnicities.

She further emphasized that the aim of these women is to solve all the issues that arise socially, economically, politically with the intervention of women and contribute to the creation of a strong Womens’ Movement in the country.

 Most of the programmes implemented with the initiative taken by the males are of a violent nature. Experience shows that contrary to such notions women interfere with loving kindness in any activity and such activities are full of love and kindness. This fact should be accepted and action taken accordingly by both the men and their counterparts. It is such intervention that is required today and a strong Womens Movement has the ability to solve any issues that crop up in the country in the future.