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UNDP exhibition highlights women’s struggles amidst economic hardships and calls for gender equality action

Published

3 years ago

2024/03/12

UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Azusa Kubota addressing the event

UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Azusa Kubota says that women in households have been at the forefront of taking the brunt of the hardships while trying their very best to protect the well-being of their families and communities, with fast-disappearing economic means.

She said so speaking at the Launch of UNDP’s Mobile Interactive Gender Exhibition‘A Journey of Transformation and Women’s Empowerment’ held from the 7th to 10th of March, 2024 at the National Museum, Colombo.

She said: Colombo is the 3rd destination for this exhibition. It first started in Kandy in November last year, followed by Kurunegala last week. We are thrilled to open the exhibition at this historic museum in the Nation’s Capital on the eve of International Women’s Day with the theme of ‘Invest in Women’. And we are deeply grateful for your presence to witness its opening.

We have come a long way as a global community, yet we know that gender bias persists, well into the 21st century.

No matter where women live, women are paid less, shoulder more unpaid housework, child and elderly care, and are wildly under-represented in leadership roles both in the public and private sectors. In 59 countries where women are now more educated than men, their income is still on average a staggering 39 per cent less. Women are better educated than ever before, including here in Sri Lanka, but this has not been enough to close the income gap.

Here in Sri Lanka, in the aftermath of a series of cascading crises, 31% of Sri Lanka’s population lives in poverty. Sri Lanka’s first Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), published last year by UNDP Sri Lanka and Oxford University, outlines that 55.7% of Sri Lankans are multidimensionally vulnerable.

Women in households have been at the forefront of taking the brunt of the hardships while trying their very best to protect the well-being of their families and communities, with fast-disappearing economic means.

Over and above the economic hardships, women continue to face violence. Even before the pandemic, the 2019 Women’s Wellbeing Survey, conducted by UNFPA and the government, revealed that in Sri Lanka, one in five ever-partnered women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. 1 in 4 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence since age 15 by a partner or non-partner.

It is not hard to imagine that the growing socio-economic pressures have resulted in increased incidents of violence against women, as witnessed globally during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gender equality is the 5th Sustainable Development Goal, and its principle is the foundation for all 17 Goals. It is because inequality hurts, and a sustained development process is not possible by leaving half of the global population behind in decision-making processes. A recent UN study estimated that if we continue at the current pace, we will need another 300 years to achieve gender equality.

Then we must ask the question – what would it take to accelerate our efforts towards gender equality? Certainly, we do not have 300 years to wait around.

And in UNDP we believe that the solution lies in shifting our mental models. UNDP’s most recent Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) 2023 quantifies biases against women, capturing people’s attitudes on women’s roles along four key dimensions: political, educational, economic and physical integrity. The report revealed that around 90 per cent of men and 87 per cent of women hold internal biases against women—roughly the same numbers as a decade ago. This means we are not progressing in changing our perceptions about gender roles.

The gender-based biases, which we carry into voting booths, board meetings, interview panels and beyond, are barriers to women achieving their full potential.

To bring about the necessary shifts in our biases, we wanted to tell stories of courage and inspiration led by women. There are role models whose stories challenge our biases. And they are often ordinary women you find in your family and communities.

In my travels across the country, I have witnessed first-hand heroines in action who are constantly trying their best to break these barriers. The stories of determination, resilience and kindness often remain unheard, yet serve as a reminder of the inherent core of what it means to be a woman leader in her own right.

After interacting with women across the country, I was firmly convinced of the importance of investing in women across Sri Lankan communities. And when we do that, the results will have an exponential impact because women invest in others – often the most vulnerable and marginalized members of the family and community.

While touring the exhibition, you will quickly see that achieving gender equality must go well beyond addressing the trends and symptoms that are visible.

We must go deep below the iceberg to understand the existing mental models and systems that give rise to what is visible and invest in women from all angles.

As evident from the spirit of the National Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy, attaining gender equality requires a broad-based approach and multistakeholder partnership. This is why UNDP has worked closely with all stakeholders across sectors, who share our collective vision for the betterment of the well-being of women in Sri Lanka and beyond.

These meaningful stories of transformation range from women’s contributions to food security, climate adaptation, community-led action and livelihoods. These efforts, supported by UNDP Sri Lanka in partnership with many of you in this room over the years, have been instrumental for us in achieving the Gold status of the Gender Equality Seal in UNDP.

The Gender Equality Seal is UNDP’s corporate standard for gender equality. UNDP Sri Lanka is proud to be one of the first countries in the Asia-Pacific region to receive the honour of a Gold seal for its commitment to Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. And we are determined to maintain the Gold Status in the years to come.

This requires a multi-dimensional approach that encompasses legal reforms, economic empowerment, access to education and healthcare, and the promotion of women’s leadership and participation in decision-making processes, to name a few. And all the work featured here, and other past, ongoing and future initiatives would not have been possible without support from many of our partners in this room, including the Government of Sri Lanka, civil society organizations, local government partners and development partners.

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Related Topics:Azusa Kubota Featured UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka

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ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi’ departs Colombo

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/12

Priyan

The Italian Naval Vessel ‘ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi’ departed the Port of Colombo today, 12 September 2026, after completing a replenishment stop for logistics and services.

During the ship’s stay, the Commanding Officer of ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, Captain Marco GUERRIERO, called on the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva, at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.

Members of the visiting crew also toured several tourist attractions across the Colombo area during their port call.

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Green Climate Fund (GCF) Regional Dialogue for East and South Asia will be held from 14 to 17 September 2026 at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Hotel, Colombo

Published

6 hours ago

2026/09/12

Priyan

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Regional Dialogue for Eastern and Southern Asia is scheduled to be held from September 14 to 17, 2026, at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Colombo.

The Dialogue is hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka. The Green Climate Fund is the world’s largest dedicated climate fund established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to assist developing countries in responding to the challenges of climate change.

The Green Climate Fund aims to promote a paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development
pathways by supporting developing countries in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

The Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka serves as the country’s National Designated Authority for the Green Climate Fund, playing a critical role in coordinating access to climate finance, nominating institutions for accreditation to the Green Climate Fund and approving funding proposals, and ensuring that activities supported by the Green Climate Fund are aligned with national development objectives.

More than 120 delegates from 10 countries are expected to participate. The participating countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, the Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, and Sri Lanka.

Participants will include representatives of National Designated Authorities of the above countries, Direct Access Entities, Accredited Entities, civil society organizations, the private sector, development partners, and technical institutions across the region.

Sri Lanka’s delegation comprises Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Environment, K.R. Uduwawala, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, and high-level government officials.

The Dialogue will provide a platform to:

Share challenges, experiences, and lessons learned from the implementation of climate change projects and programmes.

Strengthen regional cooperation and partnerships on climate finance.

Discuss the Green Climate Fund’s evolving strategies, policies, and approaches.

Identify opportunities to accelerate climate investments across East and South Asia.

Hosting the Regional Dialogue in Colombo will provide Sri Lanka with an important opportunity to engage with senior government officials, private-sector representatives, development partners, technical experts, and international climate finance institutions.

The event is expected to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to improve access to climate finance and international grants, showcase national climate action initiatives and achievements, and strengthen the country’s engagement with the global climate community.

The Dialogue will also offer a strategic platform for Sri Lankan institutions that have applied for direct accreditation to present their project concepts and engage directly with representatives of the Green Climate Fund. These engagements are expected to support the accreditation process and contribute to the expansion of Sri Lanka’s network of Direct Access Entities through stronger regional partnerships and increased cooperation on climate finance, the Regional Dialogue will
contribute to positioning Sri Lanka as a credible and reliable partner for climate investment.

Projects that Sri Lanka has received funding from this fund are:
• The main projects that Sri Lanka has received support from the Green Climate Fund at present include the Wevu Gam Pubuduwa Project (52.1 USD Million) and the GCF Knuckles Project (49 USD Million).

7.5 USD Million has been allocated from GCF for 5 National Designated Authority Readiness Projects (NDA Readiness Projects) and for the National Adaptation Plan Readiness Project (NAP Readiness Project).

Approval has also been obtained for 3 regional projects. (Cooling Facility Programme, Global Fund for Coral Reef Investment Window, PEEB COOL Programme)

Sri Lanka has also identified 5 project concepts as priority projects for the Green Climate Fund period 2024-2027 and has taken steps to submit those project concepts (Concept Notes) for
approval by the Green Climate Fund.

The “Climate-resilient Fisheries in Sri Lanka” project concept (USD 107.5 million) submitted by DFCC Bank has already received approval.

News

Prof. Pieris says Buddha Dhamma recognised as source of law under Constitution

Published

8 hours ago

2026/09/12

Thilina Walpola

G.L. Peiris

Former Minister and People’s Joint Opposition Convener Prof. G.L. Peiris has challenged the assertion that the Supreme Court’s determination on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution would be based solely on law and not Buddhist teachings, arguing that such a position is inconsistent with Article 9 of the Constitution and established judicial precedent.

In a special statement, titled “Buddhist Doctrine as a Source of Law in Sri Lanka”, Prof. Peiris has said the issue had arisen during the 22nd Amendment determination proceedings when Ven. Balangoda Kassapa referred to the Buddha Dhamma in his submissions.

According to Prof. Peiris, the Chief Justice responded that the determination would be made on the basis of the law and not Buddhist teachings.

Describing this as a “cavalier dismissal” of the Buddha Dhamma. Prof. Peiris has said it is contrary to Article 9, which gives Buddhism the foremost place and requires the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana.

Full text of the statement: In the 22nd Amendment determination proceedings, Venerable Balangoda Kassapa, in his submissions, made reference to the Buddha Dhamma. His Lordship the Chief Justice, in reply, made the strong assertion that the determination would be made on the basis of the law and not Buddhist teachings. This cavalier dismissal of the Buddha Dhamma is totally inconsistent with Article 9 of the Constitution and its authoritative interpretation in judicial decisions.

I. Authoritative Sri Lankan Judicial Authority A few examples may be cited.

In the Antiquities Amendment Bill, the Supreme Court, in its determination, observed: “The expression Buddha Sasana is wider than Buddhism and includes the entire establishment, together with objects and places of religious practices and worship of Buddhists”.

In Re the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution and the Provincial Councils Bill, 1987 2 Sri Lanka LR 312, Wanasundera J, referring to the term Buddha Sasana, said that it was “a compendious term encompassing all ancient, historic and sacred objects and places which have from ancient times been associated with the religious practices and worship of Sinhala Buddhists”.

It is clear that the Buddha Sasana is not confined to matters of ritual or practice, but includes the substance of Buddhist teachings. This is borne out clearly in other judgments of the Supreme Court.

An explicit example is the determination of the Supreme Court in the Ayurveda Amendment Bill, SCSD, numbers 22-35/2023, where the Court declared: “We hold that Buddha Sasana in Article 9 of the Constitution includes the dhamma, principles and teachings of Buddhism, including in particular recognized and undisputed codifications of the teachings of Lord Buddha”.

There are several other passages in the judgment which offer strong authority on the point.

The Court declared: “We determine that the word Buddha Sasana in Article 9 is a compendious term and includes the entire establishment of Buddhism as defined above. We conclude that the Tripitaka, consisting of the Vinaya Pitaka, the Sutta Pitaka and the Abhidhamma Pitaka, falls within the word Buddha Sasana. Hence the State has a duty inter alia to protect and foster the Tripitaka”.

The Court was uncompromising in its declaration that “While retaining the word Buddhism to denote the religion to which foremost place has been accorded in the Republic, the word Buddha Sasana was used to impose a duty on the State to protect and foster the entire establishment of Buddhism”.

The Court’s approach is very clear from the following passage: “We must proceed to interpret Article 9 of the Constitution on the basis that this change was intentional on the part of the legislature. It was meant to cover an area wider than Buddhism”.

II. International Judicial Authority

There is valuable material in the jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

Judge C. G. Weeramantry, in his dissenting opinion in the ICJ’s 1996 advisory opinion on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons, said that Buddhism could provide an important humanitarian perspective when considering the legality of nuclear weapons. The judge cited as his source the work by Walpola Rahula, entitled What the Buddha Taught, 1959.

Similarly, Judge Weeramantry, in his separate opinion in the maritime delimitation in the area between Greenland and Jan Mayen case, 1993, commented on the international legal concept of equity. In this connection, he referred to “the elaborately researched concept of fairness and justice in Buddhism”.