The International Women Day commemoration was organized by National Fisher Women Federation, Civil Society Collective on CEDAW Process and National Fisheries Solidarity Movement under the themes of “ Empower the women food producers” “ Ensure the women’s land rights” at the Mahaveli Center in Colombo on 25 March 2021. Mrs. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Member of Parliament representing National People’s Power party, Mrs. Sunethra Gunawardana, Secretary of the ministry of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control and Mr. Viran Fenandupulle, Privet Secretary of the Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control and Mrs. Champa Upsena, Director of Ministry of Women and Child Affairs participated in the commemoration as the chief guests .
As well as, representatives from civil society organizations, district staff and women leaders of network of National Fisheries Solidarity Movement, secretariat staff of NAFSO, religious leaders , wishers and media persons also participated in the event. The commemoration was started with the welcome dance of a young girl from Southern Fisheries Organization in Galle.
The dominant purpose of the commemoration was to build up a discourse in national level related to the Women Advocacy Paper which was prepared by National Fisheries Solidarity Movement with the wider consultation of community in the North, East and South. National Fisheries Solidarity Movement initiated to prepare the Women Advocacy Paper according to the social, economic, cultural and political situation of the women in the north, east and south. The advocacy paper basically has concerned the issues that women face relate to economic, social, culture and political situation on the country. As well as, it has given priority for the main three areas such as loan issues of women, technology o f women producers and market component.
Chief guests especially Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Mrs. Sunethra Gunawardana and Mrs. Champa Upsena basically accepted that there should be a structural change of the existing system to create a favor environment for the women development rescuing the women who have astringed in the micro credit dept trap. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya mentioned that they will raise this point in the parliament in order to take advocate the policy makers as well.
The women advocacy paper was presented to the chief guests, religious leaders and other representatives from different civil organizations. District women leaders of NAFSO network performed a short drama indicating the impacts of astringing women in the dept trap. Mrs. Lavina Hasanthi, Women Coordinator of NAFSO set the objective of the commemoration, Mr. Herman Kumara, National Convener of NAFSO explained the future advocacy process toward to implement the content of the women advocacy paper. Mr. Jayathilaka Bandara, Musician did the musical intervention to keep the audience live. There were around 150 participants in the event.
4:15 AM
