Human Rights Commission celebrates International Women’s Day 2019 on the theme “Mainstreaming Women with Disabilities for a Dignified Life”
The Commission organized a national round table discussion to commemorate International Women’s day on 8th March 2019 on the theme of “Mainstreaming Women with Disabilities for a Dignified Life” at the Sri Lanka Foundation. As a precursor to the national discussion, the Commission conducted a series of round table discussions at a regional level on four themes: education, health, employment and family affairs. In line with the Commission’s mandate to advise the government on policy and legal reform, recommendations were formulated and made to the relevant government entities.
The chief guest was Dr. Sasika Jayalath Medical Officer at the Panadura base hospital. Dr. Jayalath addressed the gathering and shared her experiences of overcoming challenges she encountered as a person with disabilities. The round table discussion was moderated by Professor Chandra Gunawardena and Attorney at Law Thanuja Navaratne.
In 2017 and 2018 to mark International Women’s Day the Human Rights Commission focused on the rights, needs and concerns of women working in the informal economic sector. Continuing its engagement on the issue, in 2019 the Commission recognized noteworthy contributions made by women’s organisations and activists who work to empower women in the informal sector. The Uva Wellassa Women’s Organization, based in the village in Handapanagala in Uva Province was selected due to the impact they have had on positively changing the lives and conditions of women employed within the informal economic sector.