Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is in the process of submitting a comprehensive National Action Plan for Women Headed Households to the Cabinet for approval, prior to the initial hearings of the 2018 Budget.
In Sri Lanka, one in four households are headed by women, of which more than 50% are widowed. Social stigma in male-dominant societies brings about many challenges for women headed households, including increased incidents of gender-based violence, poverty through denied access to land rights, and limited opportunities for livelihood development.
The three-decade conflict in Sri Lanka is a leading contributory factor to this socio-economic issue.
The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has drafted a National Action Plan for Women Headed Households, with the technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Sri Lanka. The National Action Plan provides interventions in six priority areas:
(1) health and psychosocial support,
(2) livelihood development,
(3) support services systems,
(4) protection,
(5) social security and
(6) national level policy formulation.
Minister for Women and Child Affairs, Hon. Chandrani Bandara, says, “Due to the lack of opportunities and services aimed at uplifting livelihoods of women headed households, these women remain vulnerable to conditions of poverty, violence and social exclusion. A comprehensive programme to empower women headed households is a must. It should include efforts to reform policies that contain gaps and limitations.”
Seventeen related Ministries participated in the sectoral discussions regarding the action plan held earlier this year.
High-level meetings with key Ministries such as the Ministry of Rural Economy, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Land and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, and the Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare were held in order to make the plan more comprehensive, a press release issued by UNFPA mentioned.
Furthermore, stakeholder consultations and sub-regional consultations are being conducted around the island, with the engagement of sub-national government officials, representatives from civil society, and women directly affected by the issue.
Senthini, a participant of a sub-regional consultation in Kilinochchi said, “It is important that women who are engaged in livelihood activities are also given adequate training. If they receive training and gain access to proper marketing channels, they can establish their products in any market and sustain their livelihoods.”
Another key challenge that was identified through discussions was the issue around land rights and ownership, the press release further says. "The Ministry of Land and Parliamentary Affairs highlighted that existing land laws give preference to men and male children, in line with customary law. It was mentioned that necessary action should be taken to address this issue in the National Action Plan for Women Headed Households."
Ms. Ritsu Nacken, UNFPA Representative in Sri Lanka, says, “The challenges faced by women-headed households in Sri Lanka must be addressed as a priority. In the journey towards achieving the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development it is important that the needs of these women are addressed and that they are given opportunities to contribute to the national development and peacebuilding processes, in ensuring that no one is left behind.”
Photo: Sub-regional consultation on Women Headed Households held in Kilinochchi
iVoice Idea Competition
iVoice is an online platform that encourages youth to discuss social issues and to drive innovative solutions. The platform features stories relating to social issues in Sri Lanka, which are submitted by iVoice contributors and the general public.
The objective of the iVoice Idea Competition is to encourage youth to play a participatory role in solving social issues. After reading a story featured on iVoice, youth can submit their ‘idea’ to help to address the social issue that is highlighted in the story. The ten best ideas will receive seed capital of Rs. 100,000/- each, and mentoring, to support in implementing their ideas.
The majority of articles featured on iVoice relate to a social issue. These stories have a ‘Submit Your Idea’ button at the end of the article, inviting youth to share their innovative ideas on how to address these social issues.
Submitted ideas must be innovative and unique. The ideas must also be practical and implementable by 31 December 2017.
The deadline for submitting an idea is 3 September 2017.
To submit an idea, the following details must be provided through the online form:
Note: Participants can submit any number of ideas; however, only one idea per article is permitted.
Ideas will be evaluated through a competitive process.
03 Sept 2017: Closing of submissions at 23:59 on 3 September 2017
06 Sept 2017: Shortlisting of 20 ideas
13 Sept 2017: Shortlisted applicants to present their ideas in further detail to the judging panel
21 Sept 2017: The ten winning ideas will be announced at the Award Ceremony at which Rs. 100,000/- seed capital will be granted to each of the winning applicants
Evaluation criteria includes creativity of the proposed idea to address the given social issue, and feasibility of implementation within the stipulated budget and timeframe.
The number of votes received per idea will not be a deciding factor.
The judging panel’s decision will be final.
iVoice Idea Competition
iVoice is an online platform that encourages youth to discuss social issues and to drive innovative solutions. The platform features stories relating to social issues in Sri Lanka, which are submitted by iVoice contributors and the general public.
The objective of the iVoice Idea Competition is to encourage youth to play a participatory role in solving social issues. After reading a story featured on iVoice, youth can submit their ‘idea’ to help to address the social issue that is highlighted in the story. The ten best ideas will receive seed capital of Rs. 100,000/- each, and mentoring, to support in implementing their ideas.
The majority of articles featured on iVoice relate to a social issue. These stories have a ‘Submit Your Idea’ button at the end of the article, inviting youth to share their innovative ideas on how to address these social issues.
Submitted ideas must be innovative and unique. The ideas must also be practical and implementable by 31 December 2017.
The deadline for submitting an idea is 3 September 2017.
To submit an idea, the following details must be provided through the online form:
Note: Participants can submit any number of ideas; however, only one idea per article is permitted.
Ideas will be evaluated through a competitive process.
03 Sept 2017: Closing of submissions at 23:59 on 3 September 2017
06 Sept 2017: Shortlisting of 20 ideas
13 Sept 2017: Shortlisted applicants to present their ideas in further detail to the judging panel
21 Sept 2017: The ten winning ideas will be announced at the Award Ceremony at which Rs. 100,000/- seed capital will be granted to each of the winning applicants
Evaluation criteria includes creativity of the proposed idea to address the given social issue, and feasibility of implementation within the stipulated budget and timeframe.
The number of votes received per idea will not be a deciding factor.
The judging panel’s decision will be final.
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