The Canadian High Commission in Sri Lanka together with the Asia Foundation launched their flagship development initiative in Sri Lanka, ‘Women’s Voice and Leadership’ (WVL) at the official residence of the Canadian High Commissioner recently with participants representing other missions, development partners, women’s rights organisations, civil society organisations, government and non-governmental participants.
The Asia Foundation will implement the WVL project with a CA$3-million contribution from Global Affairs Canada until 2023.
Canadian High Commissioner David McKinnon told the gathering that promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls is the most effective approach to building a more peaceful, inclusive and a prosperous world. This project would also build upon Canada’s previous support to Sri Lankan women’s rights organisations (WROs).
Twenty seven WROs representing all provinces of Sri Lanka have been shortlisted to receive funding through a competitive selection process.
Sri Lanka has achieved notable gains in women’s empowerment and gender equity. Yet women’s lives are hindered by continuing challenges. The WVL is unique in its design where the project’s goal is to support the capacity and activities of Sri Lankan WROs and movements seeking to empower women and girls. Its focus is not thematic but one of supporting WROs to make their own choices about what they want to do to advance women’s and girls’ rights and achieve greater gender equality.