International Women’s Day
March 8th 2009

Report from Sri Lanka

Geetha Lakmini
Task Force Rural and Indigenous Women

The women’s day event took place in Attalachchenai in Ampara district on March 9th, with more than 1000 women from the north east and the southern part of Sri Lanka. It was also attended by eastern province chief Minister Shivanesathurai Chandrakanthan also know as Pilleyan, southern provincial chief Minister, Minister of Highways and Road Development in northern provincial council, district secretary and many other government officials.

Five women raised the issues in the district in relation to the conflict situation and expressed their views.

Mrs Fathima Sakiras, a volunteer coordinator of women's activities in Ampara, Mrs. Asmiya, a leader of women's group in Nintavur, Mrs Wasanthi, a woman leader in Trincomalee district and Mrs. A. A. Jayawathi, a woman leader and coordinator of Puttalam lagoon fisher organisation spoke on the situation in their communities and the conditions which make women vulnerable in conflict situations. They also talked on how women are struggling to overcome the situation and assist each other by networking. 

Mrs Geetha Lakmini delivered the speech about the history of women's
day and the unchanging conditions women have to face both in the past and present. Women demand for food and peace for their survival both in ancient time and today in Sri Lanka and in the world .

Geetha also delivered the statement "War against Women" sent in solidarity with women in Sri Lanka by Rural and Indigenous Women Task Force of Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), which Geetha is part of. The statement calling for a Stop on human rights abuses of women, and to uphold gender equality and non-discrimination in Sri Lanka as a response to the current conflict situation in the country, impressed and inspired the participants, The statement will be forwarded to Sri Lankan governments and international mechanisms.