CASE STUDIES OF TRANSFORMATIONAL WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP … · organisational support from JSSK1, a community based organisation in Dimbulagala, Polonnaruwa by way of trainings, awareness

CASE STUDIES OFTRANSFORMATIONALWOMEN'S LEADERSHIPIN SRI LANKA

Contents mgqk

1. Claiming Land Rights; the Strength of Collective Action – Polonaruwa, Manampitiya bvï whs;Ska ,nd .ekSu( iduQysl l%shdldß;ajhl iúh – fmdf,dkakrej" ukïmsáh

fhzp chpikia NfhUjYk; xd;wpize;j nraw;ghl;bd; typikAk; – nghyd;dWit kd;dk;gpl;b 1-7

2. Fight Against Substance Abuse Among Children – Anuradhapura <uqka w;r we;s u;a øjH wjNdú;h je<elaùu Wfoid flfrk igk – wkqrdOmqr

rpWtH kj;jpapyhd Nghijg;nghUs; J~;gpuNahfj;jpw;F vjpuhd Nghuhl;lk; – mDuhjGuk; 8-13

3. Collective Action for Equal Land Rights – Vaharai iu bvï whs;Ska i|yd iduQysl m%h;akh – jdyrhs

rkj;Jt fhzp chpikf;fhd xd;wpize;j nraw;ghL – thfiu 14-19

4. A Woman’s Bravery Halts Unauthorized Land Acquisition - Hambantota ldka;djlf.a ks¾NS;lu yryd kS;s úfrdaë bvï w;am;a lr.ekSug yria fjhs – yïnkaf;dg

Jzpr;ry;kpF ngz; xUtuhy; jLj;J epWj;jg;gl;l rl;lj;jpw;F Gwk;ghd fhzp RtPfhpg;G – mk;ghe;Njhl;il 20-25

5. Women Leaders Pioneering System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for Economic Empowerment – Polonnaruwa

wd¾Ól n,.ekaùula lrd SRI l%ufhka îQlaIu ù j.d ;laIKh& mqfrda.dó;ajh ÿka

ldka;d kdhsldjka – fmdf<dkakrej

nghUshjhu tYT+l;lYf;fhf Rw;whly; Neakpf;f = (SRI) gapw;nra;ifapy;

Kd;NdhbfshFk; ngz; jiytpfs; – nghydWit 26-31

6. A Journey of Transformation – Komari mßj¾;kd;aul .uka uÕla – fldaudß

xU epiykhw;wkile;j gazk; – Nfhkhup 32-35

7. Weekly Markets a platform for Women’s Economic Empowerment – Ampara i;sfmd,( ldka;djkag wd¾Ól n,.ekaùula ,nd§fï ixêia:dkhla f,i – wïmdr

thuhe;j re;ij ngz;fspd; nghUshjhu tYt+l;lYf;F xU mbg;gilahFk; – mk;ghiw 36-39

1

CASE STUDIES OFTRANSFORMATIONAL WOMEN'S

LEADERSHIP IN SRI LANKA

Claiming Land Rights; the Strength of Collective ActionPolonaruwa, Manampitiya Jatheen Athara Sahayogitha Sanwardhana Kamituwa (JSSK)

Context

In a small village in Manampitiya, Polonnaruwa, 54 Sinhala and Tamil families lived in harsh conditions, with minimal facilities and without proper title to their land for years. Their fundamental needs were not being addressed by officials and they were greatly inconvenienced in accessing basic services of health, education and safe roads. They faced the continuous threat of wild elephants approaching their properties causing destruction to lives, houses and crops. Majority of the residents earn their living through daily waged manual labour and many of these families are yet to experience the basic amenities of electricity and access to clean water.

Yamuna, a resident of the area emerged as a young woman leader and played a pivotal role in approaching various officials and offices demanding for basic needs and facilities for her village. Like many other members of her community, Yamuna received organisational support from JSSK1, a community based organisation in Dimbulagala, Polonnaruwa by way of trainings, awareness raising programs and capacity building for community empowerment. There was no office left unattended, no official unmet in a daunting crusade to win over basic rights for the residents of this village. Even though little or no progress had been made, Yamuna had earned the support and commitment of the community and was recognized as a progressive leader in the area.

In mid-2011, Yamuna was informed that the properties in their village were to be arbitrarily acquired, demarcated and distributed for the use of military personnel. Such plans are symptomatic of the current trend of arbitrary land acquisition purportedly for development work, in the absence of comprehensive and transparent Environmental and Social Impact Assessments. The Director at the Mahaweli Department2 was to execute this said process in Manampitiya which would result in these families who already faced hardships, being left destitute and homeless.

Process and outcome

Upon hearing this Yamuna informed and mobilized the villagers at a community meeting and explained the fate that would befall the village and residents. Walking from door to door, Yamuna explained to the villages the planned actions, as well as their rights and entitlements in the face of injustices being meted out by officials. The forethought and strategic thinking of one public spirited individual mobilized the support of all affected residents.

Having been briefed about the proposed plans, the community realized the effect this would have on their families and unified to stand up for what was rightfully theirs. These individuals, majority of them courageous women, were fearless and found strength in numbers. They awaited the arrival of the officials who were to execute the plan with unbending courage and determination to disallow further injustices.

Protests were staged in front of Mahaweli Officials, Pradeshiya Saba3 Officials and military personnel, with the collaboration of the media. By presenting their case directly, in a meeting between Yamuna, women leaders

1. ‘JatheenAtharaSahayogithaSanwardhanaPadanama’translatedasInter-ethnicCo-operationandDevelopmentFoundation.

2. TheMahaweliAuthorityisdedicatedtoruraldevelopment,irrigationandagriculture.Itgovernsthelandsurroundingtheagriculturaltanks.

3. Localgovernment

‘For over 15 years we have been facing extreme hardships, living in these thatched-roof huts with our children. In our village the Sinhalese and Tamil live in harmony and with equality. But we do not have clear title for these lands. We do not have basic facilities of water or electricity. We urge the authorities and relevant government officials to come to our mercy and help us. This is our birthplace and the birthplace of our children – how can we ever leave? Where can we go?’ - Lal (37)‘During election campaigning political representatives promise to address our difficulties if voted into power. These promises are broken time and time again. This village is the birthplace and home to more than fifty families who have for over fifteen years lived with minimal facilities. We have been to every authority and official asking for our basic facilities, but have made little progress. I urge the President of this country to hear our plea and help us, Sinhalese and Tamil alike’. - Yamuna (27)Extracted from a thought provoking article written by Nimal Jayaratne, staff member of JSSK and regional journalist committed to women’s leadership in the area.

2

CASE STUDIES OF TRANSFORMATIONAL WOMEN'SLEADERSHIP IN SRI LANKA

and senior Mahaweli officials, the planned project was temporarily halted. Through community organizing and collective pressure exercised on respective officials, the first hurdle was overcome. Unstoppable in their pursuit, these exemplary women leaders visited the Mahaweli Office to extract information about the plans for their village and exposed these details to the media.

Community involvement for collective opposition was possible due to community organizing through a rights based approach, where multiple small village groups (referred to as kuda kandayam) form the local community based organisation, JSSK. Yamuna initially a leader of a small village group spearheaded the process of expansion of these groups, and provided her leadership through holding positions in various village committees. Through this a sustainable mechanism was established to face continuing injustices faced by the village.

Results and beyond

The campaign initiated by a single woman leader and supported by the community faced ultimate success, when all 54 families were able to obtain legal rights to their land. This was possible due to a combination of collective and strong opposition and media exposure. The community did not stop there. They continued their engagement with the relevant officials and were able to get access to water for the village.

A fundamental success was the recognition and respect earned for the collective effort of individual women leaders. They were recognized as key stakeholders with public interest, working to seek redress and demand authorities to address issues faced by the community. If authorities demonstrate a belief in the affected groups to understand their own situation and identify solutions to the problems they face, the most marginalised of groups can rise to this challenge and be supported to be agents of their own change.

To this date the people of this village in Manampitiya continue to enjoy due title and access to water, with a spirit of unity as a community that can come together to face any future injustices or challenges. This story is not only an achievement of one individual, but an exceptional story of collective victory that all women of the area can take pride in.

3



bvï whs;Ska ,nd .ekSu( iduQysl l%shdldß;ajhl iúh

fmdf,dkakrej" ukïmsáh

cd;Ska w;r iyfhda.s;d ixj¾Ok moku (JSSK)

fï, Ys% ,xldfõ fmdf<dkakrej Èia;s%lalfha ukïmsáh kï l=vd msáir .ïudkfha jikakka ;uka uqyqK fok widOdrKlï iy wudrelï ms<sn|j k`.k y`vhs' fuu fmfofia ldka;d kdhl;ajh flfrys lemú isák ksu,a chr;ak kï l,dmSh udOHfõÈhd úiska ,shk ,o is;=ú,s fmd,Ujk ,smshl1 fuu y`vj,a u.ska jir lsysmhlg fmr fuu fmfofia jHdma; ú ;snqKq ìh iy Woafõ.hka .%yKh lr fmkajk ,§' miq.sh jir lsysmh ;=< l:d jia;=j fufia È. yef¾'

ikao¾Nhfmdf<dkakrefõ ukïmsáh kï l=vd .ïudkfha isxy, iy øúv mjq,a 54 la lgql ;;a;Ajhka hgf;a, wju myiqlï iys;j iy jir .Kkdjla ;=< ish bvïj,g ksYaÑ; ysñlï fkdue;sj Èú f.jk ,§' ks,Odßka úiska Tjqkaf.a uQ,sl wjYH;d imqrd fkdÿka w;r, fi!LHh, wOHdmkh iy wdrlaIs; ud¾. jeks uQ,sl fiajd ,nd.ekSfï§ Tjqyq úYd, wmyiq;djkag m;ajQy' Tjqkaf.a Ôú;j,g fukAu, ksjdi iy j.d jeks Tjqkaf.a foam< j,go ydks lrk j,a w,s ;¾ck j,g ksrka;rfhka uqyqKq§ug Tjqkag isÿúKs'

mÈxÑlrejkaf.ka nyq;rhla ffoksl jegqma ,nk Y%ñlhka jk w;r, fuu mjq,a fndfyduhla úÿ,sh iy msßisÿ c,h jeks uQ,sl myiqlï j;a ,eî ke;'

fuu fmfofia mÈxÑldßhla jk hfYdaOd, ;reK ldka;d kdhsldjla f,i u;=ù, úúO ks,OdÍka iy ld¾hd,hka fj; f.dia ish .%duhg wjYH lrk uQ,sl wjYH;djhka iy myiqlï b,a,ñka m%Odk N+ñldjla r`.mEjdh'

hfYdaOd úiska fmdf<dkakrej, ÈUq,d., msysgd we;s m%cd uq, ixúOdkhla jk cd;Ska w;r iyfhda.s;d ixj¾Ok moku yryd m%cdj n,.ekaùu i|yd mqyqKq, oekqj;a lsÍfï jevigyka iy yelshd j¾Okh jeks ixúOdkhsl iydh ,nd .kakd ,§' ish .%dufha mÈxÑlrejkaf.a uQ,sl whs;sjdislï Èkd .ekSfï ks¾NS; igfka§ weh fkd.sh ld¾hd,hla fyda yuqfkdjQ ks,Odßfhla fkdue;s ;rïh' fuhska ,o m%.;shla ke;;a, hfYdaOd m%cdfõ iydh iy lemùu Èkdf.k m%foaYfha m%.;sYs,s kdhsldjla f,i m%isoaêhla ,enqjdh'

2011 jir ueo Nd.fha§, Tjqkaf.a .%dufha foam< w;a;fkdau;sl f,i wh;a lrf.k, udhsï kshu lr yuqod fiajl msßia j,g fnod §ug hk nj hfYdaOd yg oekqï fok ,§' fujeks ie,iqï u.ska, meyeÈ,s iy úksúo fmfkk mdßißl iy iudÔh n,mEï we.hSï fkdue;sj Ys% ,xld rch u.ska ixj¾Ok hk uehska w;a;fkdau;sl f,i isÿlrk bvï w;am;a lr .ekSfï ,d mj;sk keUqre;dj fmkakqï lrhs' oekgu;a mSvdjg m;aj isá fuu mjq,a wkd: lr ksjdi rys; ;;a;Ajhlg m;aflfrk fuu ls%hdj,sh uyje,s wêldßfha2 wOHlaI úiska ukïmsáfha ls%hd;aul lsßug fhÈ ;snqKs'

1 ,laìu mqj;am;" 2009 cqks 12'

2 uyje,s wêldÍh .%dóh ixj¾Okh" jdßud¾. iy lDIsl¾uhg lemjQjls' th lDIsld¾ñl c,dY jgd we;s bvï md,kh lrhs'

“jir 15 lg wêl ld,hla ;=<, orejka iu. fuu fmd,a w;= fiú,s l< uvq ;=< Èúf.jñka, w;sYhska wmyiq ;;a;ajhkag wms uqyqKq ÿkafkuq' wm .ïudkfha isxy, iy øúv ck;dj iu.sfhka iy iudkd;au;djfhka Èú f.j;s' kuq;a, wmg fuu bvï i|yd meyeÈ,s ysñlï whs;shla ke;' wmg c,h iy úÿ,sh jeks uQ,sl myiQlïo fkdue;' fuh wmf.a fukau wm orejkaf.ao Wmka ìuhs' wms fïjd flfia w;yer hkako@ wms fldfya huqo@” Ô'fla' ,d,a ls;aisß ^37&

“Pkao jHdmdrj,oS n,hg meñKqkfyd;a wmf.a wudrelï .ek fidhd n,d lghq;= lsÍug foaYmd,k ksfhdað;fhda fmdfrdkaÿ fj;s' fï fmdfrdkaÿ kej; kej; jdrhla lv flf¾' fuu .ïudkh mjq,a 50 lg wêl ixLHdjlf.a Wmka ìu jk w;r, Tjqka wju myiqlï iys;j jir 15 lg jvd ld,hla fuys Èú f.jd we;' wfma uQ,sl myiqlï b,a,d wms iEu n,Odßfhla fj;u, iEu ks,Odßfhla fj;u f.dia we;s kuq;a, tu W;aiydhka wid¾:l úh' wfma wdhdpkhg weyqïlkaoS, wmg, tkï, isxy, iy øúv ieug, tl iudkj Wmldr lrk f,i wm rfÜ .re ckdêm;s;=udf.ka b,a,d isáuq'” hfYdaOd ^27&

4


ls%hdj,sh iy m%;sM,h

fï .ek weiq hfYdaOd m%cd /iaùula mj;ajd Tjqka oekqj;a lr iÔúlrKh lr, .ug iy tys mÈxÑ lrejkag isÿùug hk brKu .ek úia;r lr ÿkakdh' hfYdaOd fodßka fodr hñka ie,iqï lr we;s ls%hdjka .ek fukau, ks,OdÍka úiska Tjqkag isÿlsÍug hk widOdrKh bÈßfha Tjqkaf.a whs;Ska iy ysñlï .ïjeishkag meyeÈ,s lr fok ,§' tla mqoa.,fhl=f.a ¥ro¾YSNdjh iy Wmdhud¾.sl l,amkdldÍ nj ksid mSvdjg m;ajQ ksjeishkaf.a iydh ,nd.; yels jQfhah'

fhdackd lr ;snQ ie,iqï .ek oekQj;aù, tu.ska Tjqkaf.a mjq,aj,g isÿjk úmdl .ek wjfndaO lr.;a m%cdj Tjqkaf.a ks;HdkQl+, whs;Ska i|yd tld fuka ke.S isáhy' fuu mqoa.,hska w;r nyq;rhla tä;r ldka;djka jQ w;r, ks¾NS;j Tjqkaf.a ixLHdj,ska Yla;sh ,nd.;ay' fkdkefuk iq`M tä;r njlska iy ;jÿrg;a wlghq;= j,g bv fkd§fï wêIaGdkfhka, ie,eiau ls%hd;aul lsÍug ks,OdÍka meñfKk;=re TjQyq n,d isáhy'

udOH iydh we;sj, uyje,s ks,Odßka" m%dfoaYsh iNd ks,OdÍka iy yuqod fiajl msßia bÈßmsg Tjqka úiska úfrdaO;d mj;ajk ,§' hfYdaOd" wfkl=;a ldka;d kdhsldjka iy fcHIaG uyje,s ks,OdÍka w;r meje;ajq /iaùul§ Tjqkaf.a .eg`Mj iDcqj bÈßm;a lsÍfuka miq" ie,iqï l< jHdmD;sh ;djld,slj k;r lrk ,§' m%cdj ixúOdk .; lsÍfuka iy ks,OdÍka flfrys fhdok ,o iduQysl n,mEu yryd m%:u ndOlh ch .kakd ,§' Tjqkaf.a W;aiydh fkdkj;ajd" fuu wdo¾Yu;a ldka;d kdhsldjka ish .%duh i|yd iE¥ ie,iqï ms<sn| f;dr;=re ,nd .ekSug uyje,s ld¾hd,hg f.dia" tu úia;r udOHhg ksrdjrKh lrk ,§'

iduQysl úfrdaO;djhla i|yd m%cd iyNd.s;ajh ,nd .ekSug yels jQfha whs;Ska mdol lr.;a m%fõYhla yryd m%cdj ixúOdkh ùu ksidh' cd;Ska w;r iyfhda.s;d ixj¾Ok moku kue;s m%dfoaYSh m%cd uQ, ixúOdkh fuu m%cdj ;=< we;s nyq úO l=vd lKavdhï j,ska iE§ we;' wdrïNfha§ fuu l=vd lKavdhul kdhsldj f,i lghq;= l< hfYdaOd fuu lKavdhï jHdma; lsÍfï ld¾hdj,sfha fmruqK f.k úúO .%dóh lñgqj, ;k;=re orñka wehf.a kdhl;ajh imhd fok ,§' fï yryd .%duh flfrys ksrka;rfhka mj;sk whqla;shg uqyqK§u i|yd ;sridr hdka;%Khla msysgqjk ,§'

m%;sM, iy bka Tíng

mjq,a 54 gu TjQkaf.a bvï i|yd ffk;sl whs;sjdislï ,eîfuka ;ks ldka;d kdhsldjla úiskA uQ, msrE m%h;akh m%cdfõ iydho iu. wjidk id¾:l;ajh lrd ,`.d jqKs' m%n, iduQysl úfrdaO;ajh;a, udOH fy<ssorõj;a tlaùu ksid fufia lsÍug yelsúh' m%cdj fuhska k;r jQfha ke;' Tjqka wod< ks,OdÍka iu. È.gu lghq;= lsÍfï m%;sM,hla f,i .%duhg c, myiqj ,nd.ekSug yelsúKs'

uQ,sl id¾:l m%;sM,hla jQfha ;ks ldka;d kdhsldjkaf.a iduQysl m%h;akhka i|yd ,enqKq ms<s.ekSu iy f.!rjhhs' fmdÿ hym;la wruqKqfldg f.k .eg`M j,g ms<shï fidhk iy m%cdj uqyqK fok .eg`M wduka;%Kh lsßug n,OdÍkag n, lrk m%Odk md¾Yajlrejka f,i TjQka y÷kd.kakd ,§' mSvdjg m;a lKavdhï yg Tjqka isák ;;a;Ajh wjfndaO lrf.k, Tjqka uqyqK fok .eg`M j,g úi÷ï y÷kd .ekSug yels njg Tjqka ;=< úYajdihla n,Odßka fmkakqï lrhs kï, m%n, f,i fldkalsßug ,lajQ lKavdhï yg fuu wNsfhda.hka fjkqfjka ke.S isàug yelsjk w;r, Tjqkag wjYH fjkialï j, ksfhdað;hska ùug Tjqkag iydh Èh yel'

wo olajd ukïmsáh .%dufhys ck;dj TjQkaf.a bvï whs;sh N=la;s ú|sk w;r c, myiqjo mj;S' fuh bÈßfha§ uqyqK fokakg jk widOdrK ;;a;Ajhka fyda wNsfhda.hka bÈßfha m%cdjla f,i tluq;=ùfï .=Kdx.h úoyd mdhs' fuh tla mqoa.,fhl=f.a ch.%yKhla ms<sn| l:d jia;=jla muKla fkdj, tu fmfofia ish,qu ldka;djkag wdvïnr úh yels iduQysl ch.%yKhl iqúfYaIs l:d jia;=jls'

5



jdpegu;fspd; ,ufrpaj;jd;ikia ghJfhf;Fk; nghUl;L midj;J ngau;fSk; khw;wg;gl;Ls;sd.

fhzp chpikia NfhUjYk; xd;wpize;j nraw;ghl;bd;

typikAk; – nghyd;dWit kd;dk;gpl;b

nghyd;dWit> kd;dk;gpl;bapYs;s xU rpwpa fpuhkj;ijr; Nru;e;j 54 rpq;fs kw;Wk; jkpo;

FLk;gq;fs; ; kpfTk; Fiwe;j trjpfSlDk; mtu;fSila

fhzpfSf;F Kiwahd fhzp cWjpfs; ,y;yhkYk;

kpfTk; fbdkhd #o;epiyapy; gy tUlq;fshf tho;e;J

te;jhu;fs;. mtu;fspd; mbg;gilj; Njitfs; vJTk;

rk;ge;jg;gl;l cj;jpNahfj;ju;fspdhy; ftdj;jpy;

nfhs;sg;gltpy;iynad;gJld; mtu;fspd; Rfhjhuk;>

fy;tp kw;Wk; ghJfhg;ghd ghij trjpfs; Nghd;w mbg;gil

trjpfis ngw;Wf;nfhs;tjpYk; ngUk; mnrsfupaq;fis

vjpu;Nehf;fpdu;. fhl;L ahidfspd; njhlu;r;rpahd

mr;RWj;jy;fSf;F mtu;fs; Kfk;nfhLj;Jld; ,e;j fhl;L

ahidfs; mt;tg;NghJ mtu;fspd; tho;tplq;fSf;Fs;

Eioe;J mtu;fspd; tPLfisAk; gapu;fisAk; ehrk;

nra;J capu;fisAk; fhTnfhz;ld. ,q;F trpg;gtu;fspy;

ngUk;ghyhdtu;fs; ehshe;j tho;ifia ehshe;j

rk;gsk; ngWk; $ypj; njhopypd; mbg;gilapy; elhj;jp

tUtJld; mNefkhd FLk;gq;fs; kpd;rhuk; Rj;jkhd FbePu;

Nghd;wtw;iwf; $l ,d;Dk; mile;Jnfhs;shjtu;fshfNt

,Uf;fpd;wdu;.

,e;j gpuNjrj;jpy; xU ,sk; ngz; jiytpahf Njhw;wk;

ngw;w aKdh mtSila fpuhkj;jpw;fhd mbg;gilj;

NjitfisAk; trjpfisAk; ngw;Wf; nfhs;tjw;fhf

gy;NtW cj;jpNahfj;ju;fisAk; mYtyfq;fisAk;

mZFk; eltbf;ifapy; gpujhd nghWg;Ngw;W gzpahw;wpdhs;.

aKdhtpw;Fk; mtSila r%fj;jpYs;s kw;iwa

mq;fj;jtu;fSf;F fpilj;jijg; NghyNt nghyd;dWit

khtl;lj;jpd; jpk;GyhfiyapYs;s r%f mbg;gil

epWtdkhf tpsq;Fk; JSSK epWtdj;jpypUe;J rKjhaj;ij

tYT‹l;Ltjw;fhd gapw;rpfs;> tpopg;Gzu;it mjpfhpf;Fk;

epfo;r;rpj;jpl;lq;fs; Mw;wy; tpUj;jpf;fhd epfo;r;rpj;jpl;lq;fs;

Nghd;wtw;wpw;fhf epWtd uPjpapyhd cjtpfs; fpl;bd.

,e;j fpuhkj;ijr; Nru;e;j kf;fspd; mbg;gil cupikfis

ntd;nwLg;gjw;fhf nry;yhj mYtyfq;fNsh re;jpf;fhj

cj;jpNahfj;ju;fNsh ,y;iynaDk;; mstpw;F Kaw;rpfs;

Nkw;nfhs;sg;gl;ld. ,it midj;jpypUe;Jk; ve;j tpjkhd

Kd;Ndw;wKk; Vw;glhtpbDk; aKdhtpw;F mtspd;

rKjhaj;jpd; xj;jhirAk; <Lghl;bidAk; <l;bf;nfhs;s

Kbe;jJld; mts;; ,g;gpuNjrj;jpYs;s xU Kw;Nghf;fhd

jiytpahf mtu;fspdhy; milahsg;gLj;jg;gl;lhs;.

2011 Mk; Mz;bd; eLg;gFjpapy; ,e;j fpuhkj;jpd;

fhzpfs; jhd;Njhd;wpj;jdkhf RtPfupf;fg;gl;L vy;iy Fwpf;fg;gl;L ,uhZtj;jpdupd;

gad;ghl;bw;fhf gfpu;e;jspf;fg;gltpUf;fpd;wjhf aKdhtpw;F mwpaf;fpilj;jJ. mgptpUj;jp vDk;

‘fle;j 15 tUlq;shf ehq;fs; ,e;j

Xiyf;$iufisf; nfhz;l tPLfspNy

vq;fs; gps;isfisak; itj;Jf; nfhz;L

nrhy;nyhd;dh Jd;gij mDgtpj;J

tUfpd;Nwhk;. vkJ fpuhkj;jpy;

rpq;fstu;fSk; jkpou;fSk; xw;Wikahf

tho;tJld; rkj;JtkhfTk; tho;e;J

tUfpd;wdu;. MapDk; vkJ ,e;j

fhzpfSf;F Kiwahd fhzp cWjpfs;

,y;iy. vkf;F FbePu;> kpd;rhuk; Nghd;w

mbg;gil trjpfs; $l ,y;iy;. MfNt

rk;ge;jg;gl;l mjpfhup fisAk; mur

cj;jpNahfj;ju;fisAk; vk;kPJ jia

$u;e;J cjTkhW Ntz;L fpd;Nwhk;. ,J

vq;fsJ gpwe;j kz;. ,J vq;fSila

Foe;ijspdJk; gpwe;j kz;zhf ,Uf;

fpd;wJ. ehq;fs; ,e;j ,lj;ij vg;gb

iftpl;Lr; nry;tJ? ehq;fs; ,jid

iftpl;L vq;F nry;tJ? – yhy; (37)

Nju;jy;fspd; NghJ murpay;thjp fs;

jq;fSf;F thf;fspj;J Ml;rpf;F tUtjw;F

toptFj;jhy; vkJ f~;lq;fis eptu;j;jp

nra;J jUt jhf $Wfpd;whu;fs;. MapDk;

,e;j thf;FWjpfs; njhlu;r;rpahfNt

ngha;ahfp tpLfpd;wd. ,e;j fpuhkk;

50f;Fk; Nkw;gl;l FLk;gq;fspd;

gpwg;gplkhfTk; tho;tplkhfTk;

,Ug;gJld; 15 tUlq;fSf;F Nkyhf

Mff;Fiwe;jsT trjpfs; $l

,y;yhky; tho;e;JtUfpd;Nwhk;. ehq;fs;

midj;J mjpfhupfsplKk; cj;jp

Nahfj;ju;fsplKk; vkJ mbg;gil

trjpfis ngw;Wf;nfhs;tjw;fhf nrd;wp

Uf;fpd;Nwhk;. MapDk; mile;Jnfhz;l

Kd;Ndw;wnkd;W vJTk; ,y;iy MfNt

vkJ Fiwfis mwpe;J rpq;fsth; jkpoh;

Mfpa midtUf;Fk; xNukhjpupahf cjt

Ntz;Lnkd ,e;j ehl;bd; rdhjpgjpia

ehk; Ntz;Lfpd;Nwhk;

aKdh (27)

JSSK cj;jpNahfj;jUk; ngz;fs;

jiyikj;Jtj;jpw;fhf ,g;gpuNjrj;jpy;

jd;id <LgLj;jpf;nfhz;ltUkhd epky;

[auj;dtpdhy; vOjg;gl;l rpe;jidiaf;

fpsWk; xU fl;LiuapypUe;J gpupj;njLf;

fg;gl;lJ.

6


Nghu;itapy; jhd;Njhd;wpj;jdkhf fhzpfis RtPfupj;J Rw;whlYf;Fk; r%fj;jpw;Fk; Vw;glf;$ba

jhf;fq;fis tpupthd KiwapYk; ntspg;gilj; jd;ikahfTk; kjpg;gPL nra;ahky; eltbf;iffs;

Nkw;nfhs;sg;gLjy; jw;Nghija Nghf;fpy; gutyhf fhzf;$ba tplakhfNt ,Ue;J tUfpd;wJ.

kfhtyp jpizf;fsj;jpd; gzpg;ghsupdhy; eilKiwg;gLj;jg;gltpUe;j Nkw;gb jpl;lk; Vw;fdNt

gy;NtW ,d;dy;fSf;F kj;jpapy; tho;e;J tUk; kd;dk;gpl;b tho; kf;fis tPLfsw;w mehjuthd

kf;fs; $l;lkhf khw;wpaikf;Fk; xUKaw;rpahfNt ,Ue;jJ.

nrad;KiwAk; ngWNgWfSk;

,jid Nfs;tpAw;w aKdh ,jid kf;fSf;F mwptpj;J mtu;fis mzpjpul;b xU rKjha

$l;lnkhd;iw elhj;jp ,t;tplaj;jpd; %ykhf fpuhkj;jpw;Fk; kf;fSf;Fk; Vw;glf;$ba

tpguPjj;ij tptupj;jhs;. cj;jpNahfj;ju;fspdhy; mePjp ,iof;fg;gltpUf;Fk; ,e;epiyapy; aKdh

tPLtPlhfr; nrd;W mtu;fSf;Fs;s cupikfisAk; cupj;Jf;fisAk; gw;wp tpsf;fkspj;jJld;

jpl;lkplg;gl;Ls;s nraw;ghLfis gw;wpAk; tpsf;fkspj;jhs;. nghJkf;fs; kPJ fuprid nfhz;l xU

jdpegupd; Kd;dwpTk; cj;jpAld; $ba rpe;jidAk; ghjpf;fg;gl;l midj;J FbapUg;ghsu;fspdJ

MjuitAk; mzpjpul;baJ.

cj;Njrjpl;lq;fisg; gw;wp RUf;fkhd tpsf;fkspf;fg;gl;lij mLj;J jq;fSila

FLk;gq;fSf;F Vw;glf;$ba jhf;fq;fisg; gw;wp mtu;fs; tpsq;fpf;nfhz;lJld; ePjpahd Kiwapy;

jq;fSf;FupaitfSf;fhf mtu;fs; xd;wpize;J epd;whu;fs;. Jzpr;ry;kpf;f jdpegu;fshf

,Ue;j ,e;j ngz;fs; xd;W jpuz;L epd;wjpdhy; GJg;gyj;ijg; ngw;wJld; mtu;fs; vt;tpj

mr;rj;ijAk; vjpHNehf;ftpy;iy. MfNt NkYk; mePjp ,lk;ngWtjw;F ,lkspf;ff;$lhnjDk;

tise;Jnfhlhj Jzpr;rYlDk; jplrq;fw;gj;JlDk; ,e;j jpl;lj;ij eilKiwg;gLj;Jk;

cj;jpNahfj;ju;fs; tUk; tiuapy; ,tu;fs; fhj;jpUe;jpdu;. kfhtyp cj;jpNahfj;ju;fs;>

gpuNjr rig cj;jpNahfj;ju;fs; ,uhZtj;jpdu; MfpNahUf;F Kd;dhy; ,tu;fs; Mu;g;ghl;lk;

elhj;jpaJld; Clfj;ijAk; ,izj;Jf;nfhz;lhu;fs;. ,jidaLj;J aKdh> kw;iwa ngz;

jiytpfs; kw;Wk; rpNu~;l kfhtyp cj;jpNahfj;ju;fs; MfpNahUf;fpilapy; eilngw;wnjhU

$l;lj;jpd;NghJ ,t;tplak; Neubahf Kd;itf;fg;gl;lJld; cj;Njr jpl;lk; jw;fhypfkhf

epWj;jg;gl;lJ> rKjhaj;ij xd;Wjpul;bAk; rk;ge;jg;gl;l cj;jpNahfj;ju;fs; kPJ $l;lhf

mOj;jj;ij gpuNahfpj;Jk; KjyhtJ jil ntw;wpfukhf Kwpabf;fg;gl;lJ. ,e;j Kaw;rpia

,j;Jld; epWj;jptplhj ,e;j Kd;Djhuzkhz ngz; jiytpfs; kfhtyp mYtyfj;jpw;F nrd;W

mtu;fSila fpuhkk; rk;ge;jg;gl;l jpl;lq;fspd; RUf;f tpguq;fisg; ngw;W mjid Clfj;jpw;F

mk;gyg;Lj;jpdu;.

rpW fpuhkpaf;FOf;fs; xd;wpize;J ‘,dq;fSf;fpilNa xw;Wikia Vw;gLj;Jk; epWtdk;

(N[.v].;v];.Nf)’ vd miof;fg;gLk; xU cs;Su; rKjha kl;lj;jpyhd mikg;nghd;iw

cUthf;fp cupikfis mbg;gilahff; nfhz;lnjhU mZFKiwapd; %yk; rKjhaj;ij

xOq;FgLj;jpajd; ClhfNt ,t;tifapyhd xU $l;L vjpu;g;gpid njuptpg;gjw;F rKjhak;

xd;W jpus;tjw;fhd fhuzkhf mike;jJ. Muk;gj;jpy; xU rpwpa fpuhkpa FOtpd; jiytpahf

,Ue;j aKdh ,t;thwhd FOf;fs; tpuptiltjw;F Kd;dpd;W cioj;jJld; gy;NtW fpuhkpa

FOf;fspy; gy gjtpfis tfpg;gjd; Clhf mjw;F jiyikj;Jtj;ij toq;fp te;jhs;. ,jD}

lhf fpuhkk; Kfk;nfhLj;j njhlu;r;rpahd mePjpfSf;F Kfk;nfhLg;gjw;F xU epiyNgwhd

nghwpKiwnahd;W fl;bnaOg;gg;gl;lJ.

ngWNgWfSk; mjw;F mg;ghYk;

xU jdpg;ngz;zhy; Muk;gpf;fg;gl;L rKjhaj;jpd;; xj;jhirapdhy; cu%l;lg;gl;l ,e;j Kaw;rp 54

FLk;gq;fSk; jq;fSila fhzpfSf;F rl;luPjpapyhd cupj;jpid ngw;Wf;nfhz;ljd; %ykhf

,Wjpapy; ntw;wpaile;jJ. $l;lhfTk; cWjpahfTk; njuptpj;j vjpu;g;G kw;Wk; Clfj;jpw;F

nra;jpfs; ntspaplg;gl;lik Nghd;w xl;Lnkhj;j nraw;ghLfspd; fhuzkhfNt ,e;j ntw;wp

rhj;jpakhdJ. me;j rKjhak; mj;NjhL epd;Wtpltpy;iy. mtu;fs; ,e;j Kaw;rpia njhlu;r;rpahf

rk;ge;jgl;l cj;jpNahfj;ju;fSld; Kd;ndLj;J fpuhkj;jpw;F ePu; trjpiaAk; ngw;wf;nfhz;ldu;.

7



jdpg;gl;l ngz; jiytpfspd; $l;L Kaw;rpf;F tuNtw;igAk; nfsutj;ijAk; <l;bf;

nfhs;tjw;F fpilj;jik xU mbg;gil ntw;wpahFk;. mtu;fs; nghJeyd; rhu;gpy; Kf;fpakhd

gq;fPLghl;lhsu;fshfTk; Fiwfis jPu;g;gjw;F ghLgLgtu;fshfTk; rKjhak; Kfk;nfhLf;Fk;

gpur;rpidfSf;F jPu;T ngw;Wj;jUkhW rk;ge;jg;gl;l cj;jpNahfj;ju;fis type;J NfhUgtu;

fshfTk; ,dq;fhzg;gl;lhu;fs;. ghjpf;fg;gl;ltu;fs; jq;fsJ nrhe;j epiyikia Gupe;Jnfhz;L

mtu;fs; Kfk;nfhLf;Fk; gpur;rpidfSf;F jPu;Tfis ,dq;fhz;gjw;F Mw;wy; nfhz;Ls;shu;fs;

vd mtu;fs; kPJ cj;jpNahfj;ju;fs; ek;gpf;ifia ntspg;gLj;Jthu;fshapd; mr;re;ju;;g;gj;jpy;

kpfTk; Gwf;fzpf;fg;gl;l FOf;fs; ,e;j rthiy Vw;Wf;nfhs;s KbAnkd;gJld; mtu;fs;

mtu;fSila nrhe;j khw;wj;jpw;fhd fhuz fu;j;jhthf ,Ug;gjw;Fk; xj;jhir toq;f Kbak;.

jw;NghJ kd;dk;gpl;bapYs;s ,e;j fpuhkj;ijr; Nru;e;j kf;fs; vjpu;fhyj;jpy; mtu;fSf;F

VNjDk; rthy;fs; my;yJ mePjpfs; Vw;gLkhapd; mjw;Fk; xUkpj;j r%fkhf xw;WikAld;

Kfk;nfhLg;gjw;F Mw;wy; nfhz;ltu;fshf khwpapUg;gJld; fhzp cWjpiaAk; ePu; trjpiaAk;

ngw;Wf;nfhz;ltu;fshf tho;e;J tUfpd;whu;fs;. ,e;j fij xU jdpegupd; ntw;wpiag; gw;wpa

fijay;y. khwhf me;j gpuNjrj;jpy; cs;s midj;Jk; ngz;fSk; ngUikailaf;$ba

$l;LKaw;rpapd; ntw;wpahFk;.

8


Fight Against Substance Abuse Among ChildrenAnuradhapuraRajarata Gemi Shakthi Nirmana Kavaya (RGNK)

Context

Young people who persistently abuse substances experience an array of problems, and the social and economic costs include dysfunction in the family due to increased violence, financial difficulties, indebtedness, increased crime rates and the increasing burden of supporting adolescents and young adults incapable of supporting themselves.

The village of Kuratiyawa in Anuradhapura faced a very serious problem of adolescent addiction to alcohol. Previously more prevalent among adult males, this menace became increasingly common among the younger generation. This adverse practice among youth increased economic difficulties experienced by poor families and caused an increase in violence and crime within the village.

To address this social problem, ADIC was supported by Oxfam to partner with RGNK1 in launching a campaign to stop adolescent addition to alcohol. In August 2010 several community representatives belonging to RGNK membership were trained by ADIC. Dayani, from the village of Kuratiyawa was one such person to receive this training.

Process and outcome

After joining RGNK in 2006, the change Dayani underwent as an individual was transformational. She did not have the confidence or the skills for public speaking, and prior to her association with RGNK, had not addressed any gatherings. She was a strong person but with limited exposure and awareness on how to tackle issues, and was unwilling to engage in public forums. However it wasn’t long before she emerged a strong, confident leader with the courage and determination to address various issues faced by her community.

Seeing children as young as 8 years abusing alcohol, drugs and stealing, struck a personal chord with Dayani who has two teenage children of her own. Dayani was determined to address the problem but it would not be an easy task. She faced several personal challenges herself, her husband was an alcoholic and she lacked any family support with her mother working overseas as a migrant worker.

Equipped with skills and knowledge from previous trainings, Dayani organized awareness raising campaigns with smaller groups to raise awareness on the detrimental effects of substance abuse, and strategies to mitigate them. The campaigns were conduct with the support of the civil committees. Throughout the process Dayani was able to apply her learning from trainings she had received both from RGNK on social mobilization, community empowerment and from ADIC on managing drug and alcohol addicts.

She organized youth through the creation of youth groups. She had regular meetings with these groups and even had one on one sessions with the affected children. The focus was to help children in the age group 8-12 years. She faced resistance from certain parents of affected children, who were in denial and didn’t want their children associated with this social taboo. Dayani takes pride that young leaders emerged as a result of this process.

Results and beyond

Four of the twenty children that were involved in the groups that Dayani worked with have now returned to school, and have come out of the habit of substance abuse. These children have maintained a close rapport with Dayani and other officials that they liaised with, and will in all likelihood, continue their engagement with community work. Continued support will be given to all the children in the network who still need help. Dayani views this as a considerable achievement.

1. RajarataGemiShakthiNirmanaKavayaisalocalcommunitybasedorganizationlocatedintheNorthCentralDistrictofAnuradhapuratraditionallyreferredtoasRajarata.

9



The change factors that can be attributed to this success is the close relationship that has been maintained with relevant officials, who are genuinely committed to the betterment of the community through women’s leadership, and without whose support Dayani says such progress could not have been made. Some of these officials include the official at the Galnawa Police Children and Women’s Desk, the Grama Seveka2 and a senior staff member from RGNK, Premasiri. The organisational support received from RGNK, and the stakeholders’ ready acceptance and recognition of the role of women leaders serve as strengths of women’s leadership in the district.

2. GramaSevakaisthelocaladministrativeofficer.

10


<uqka w;r we;s u;a øjH wjNdú;h je<elaùu Wfoid flfrk igk

wkqrdOmqr

rcrg .eñ Yla;s ks¾udK ljh (RGNK)

ikao¾Nh

mqreoaola f,i øjH wjNdú;fhys fh§ isák ;reK ;reKsfhda .eg`M rdYshla w;aols;s' fuys iudÔh iy wd¾Ól msßjeh f,i, m%pKav;ajh jeäùu, uQ,Huh wmyiq;d, Kh.e;snj, wmrdO jeäùu iy fhdjqka úfha isák orejka kv;a;= lsÍfï nr jeäùu iy ;udj kv;a;= lr .ekSfï yelshdj fkdue;s ;reK jeäysáhka isàu wdÈh ksid mjq, ;=< we;sjk wld¾hlaIu;dj wh;a fõ'

fhdjqka úfha isák orejka u;amekg weíneys úu ksid wkqrdOmqrfhys l=ráhdj .%duh ;on, .eg`Mjlg uqyqK § ;snqKs' óg fmr jeäysá msßñka w;r jvd;a m%p,s;j ;snQ fuu wk;=reodhl isß;, ;reK mrïmrdj ;=< jvd;a iq,Nj olakg ,enqKq fohla njg m;ajqKs';reKhska w;r ;snq fuu ydkslr mqreoao ksid ÿ.S mjq,a ;=< wd¾Ól wmyiq;djhka w;aoelSugo, .%duh ;=< m%pKav;ajh yd wmrdO j¾Okhgo fya;= úh'

fuu iudÔh .eg`Mjg ms<shï fhoSfï ,d, u;ameka j,g fh!jkhska weíneysùu kj;ajd ,Sug rcrg .eñ Yla;s ks¾udK ljh iu. yjq,alrefjl= f,i ix.%duhla Èh;a lsßug Tlaia*Eï wdh;kh u.ska u;ameka iy u;aøjH f;dr;=re uOHia:dkhg iydh jk ,§'

2010 jif¾ wf.daia;= ui rcrg .eñ Yla;s ks¾udK ljfha idudðl;ajhg wh;a m%cd ksfhdað;hska lsysmfofkl= u;ameka iy u;aøjH f;dr;=re uOHia:dkh u.ska mqyqKq lrkakg fhÿKs' l=ráhdj .ïudkfha foaúld fuu mqyqKqj ,nd.;a flfkls'

l%shdj,sh iy m%;sM,h

foaúld rcrg .eñ Yla;s ks¾udK ljhg ne÷fKa 2006 jif¾ neúka, mqoa.,sl uÜgñka weh ;=< isÿjQ fjki úm¾hdiSh úh' m%isoaêfha l:d lsÍug úYajdih fyda yelshdj weh ;=< fkd;snqKdla fukau, rcrg .eñ Yla;s ks¾udK ljh iu. iïnkaOùug fmr lsisu /iaùuloS l:d mj;ajd fkd;snQKs' weh Yla;su;a ;eke;a;shla jQj;a, .eg`M ksrdlrKh .ek ;snq oekqj;anj iy ksrdjrKh isudldÍ úh' tfukau weh m%isoaO fõÈldj, ksr;ùug wleu;s jQjdh' tfy;a, jeäl,a hdug fmr, wehf.a m%cdj uqyQK fok úúO .eg`M ms<sn|j lghq;= lsßug ffO¾hh yd wêIaGdkh we;s Yla;su;a úYajdiSh kdhsldjla f,i u;=jQjdh'

.egjr úfha miqjk orejka fofokl=f.a ujla jQ wehf.a is; jhi wjqreÿ wgla jeks b;d wvQ jhfia isák orejka u;ameka$u;aøjH wjNdú;fha fhoSu iy fidrlï lsÍu oelSfuka ii, úh' fuu .eg`Mj wduka;%Kh lsßug foaúld wëIaGdk lr.;a kuq;a, th myiq ld¾hhla fkdjk nj weh jgyd .;a;dh' wehg mqoa.,sl m%Yako fndfyduhla úh' wef.a ieñhd u;ameka f,da,sfhla úh' wef.a ujo úfoaY.;j /lshdjl fhoS isá fyhska wehg mjqf,ka lsisu iydhla fkdue;s úh'

óg fmr weh iïnkaOù ;snq mqyqKq j,ska ,nd.;a yelshdjka iy oekqu;a iu. foaúld l=vd lKavdhï iu. tlaj øjH wjNdú;fha úm;a;sodhl m%;sM, iy tAjd wju lsÍfï Wmdh ud¾. .ek oekqj;a lsÍfï jevigyka ixúOdkh l<dh' fïjd ls%hd;aul jQfha isú,a lñgqj, iydh we;sjh' fuu iïmq¾K ls%hdj,sh ;=<, iudc iÔúlrKh iy m%cdj n,.ekaùu ms<sn|j rcrg .eñ Yla;s ks¾udK ljfhka ,ndÿka mqyqKq j,skao, u;aøjH iy u;ameka j,g weìneys jQjka l<ukdlrKh ms<sn|j u;ameka iy u;aøjH f;dr;=re uOHia:dkfhkao ,nd.;a oekqu foaúld Ndú;d l<dh'

fh!jk lKavdhï ks¾udKh lsßu yryd, weh fh!jkhska ixúOdkh l<dh' fuu lKavdhï iu. weh ks;ru /iaùï mj;ajd, mSvdjg ,lajQ orejka iu. mqoa.,sl ieiso meje;ajQjdh' wehf.a fhduqj jQfha, jhi wjqreÿ 8-12 olajd jQ orejkag WmldÍ ùuh' mSvdjg ,lajQ iuyr orejkaf.a foudmshkaf.ka úfrdaO;do t,a, úh' fuu iudc ;yxÑhg ish orejka iïnkaO lsÍug Tjqka wleu;sjQjd fukau th ms<s.ekSugo, TjqyQ ue<s jQy' fuu ls%hdj,sh ;=< fh!jk kdhlhska u;=ùu .ek foaúld wdvïnr jkakSh'

11



iuyr fouõmshkaf.a úfrdaOh we;sjqjo" <uqkaf.a leue;a; u; .eñYla;s wdh;kfha Woõ Wmldro u; .u ;=< <ud iudchla ia:dms; flßks' <uqkag whs;sjdislñ ms<snò mqyqKqj ,ndÿka w;r" wOHdmk whs;sh" ixj¾Okh ùfñ whs;sh ms<snò <uqkag wjfndaOh ,ndfok ,§' mdi,a fkd .sh u;ameka mdkh l< <uqka ÿisßf;ka wE;aù mdi,a hdu wdrïN flßks' tysÈ úfrdaOh m<l, foudmshkaf.ao weia foaúld foig fhduqjqks' fouõmshkaf.a iyho Èfkka Èk jeäúh'

m%;sM, iy bka Tíng

foaúld lghq;= l< lKavdhï j, orejka úisfofkl=f.ka i;r fofkla oekg wdmiq mei,a hdu wdrïN fldg we;s w;r, TjQyQ øjH wjNdú;h lsÍfï mqreoafokao neyer ù isá;s' fuu orefjda foaúld iu. iy Tjqka fjkqfjka iïnkaëlrKh l< wfkl=;a ks,OdÍka iu.o lsÜgq iïnkaO;djla mj;ajd f.k h;s' ;jo, fndfydaÿrg fudjqka m%cd lghq;= j, kshe,Suo fkdlvjd lrf.k hkq we;' fuu cd,fha iydh ;jÿrg;a wjYH jk ish`Mu orejkag ksrka;rfhkau iydh ,ndfokq we;' fuh ie,lsh hq;= ch.%yKhla f,i foaúld i,lhs'

fuys m%.;sh flfrys n,mE m%Odk fjkiaùfï idOlh f,i ie,lsh yelafla ia;%S mqreI iudcNdùh iudkd;au;dj ms<sno mqyqKq ùu" ldka;d kdhl;ajh yryd m%cdfõ jeä hym; Wfoid wjxlju lemùfuka lghq;= lrk wod< ks,OdÍka iu. mj;ajd f.k .sh lsÜgq iïnkaO;djhs' Tjqkaf.a iydh fkdue;sj fujka m%.;shla lsisfia;a ,nd.; fkdyels nj foaúld mjikakSh' fuu ks,OdÍka w;r" .,akEj fmd,sia <ud yd ldka;d ld¾hdxYfha ks,OdÍ;=ñh" kS;s wdOdr fldñYka iNdfõ kS;s WmfoaYk ks<OdÍ;=ñh" ADIC wdh;kfha ks<OdrSka" .%du ks,Odß uy;d, iy rcrg .eñ Yla;s ks¾udK ljfha fcHIaG ks,Odßfhla jk fm%auisß o fj;s' rcrg .eñ Yla;s ks¾udK ljfhka ,;a ixúOdkhsl iydh, iy ldka;d kdhsldjkaf.a N+ñldj ms<s.ekSug iy y÷kd.ekSug md¾Yajlrejka ;=< we;s iqodku hk fïjd Èia;s%lalh ;=< ldka;d kdhl;ajfhka flfrk lghq;= j, Yla;sh njg m;aj we;'

12


rpWtH kj;jpapyhd Nghijg;nghUs; J~;gpuNahfj;jpw;F

vjpuhd Nghuhl;lk; – mDuhjGuk;

mEuhjGuj;jpYs;s Ful;baht fpuhkkhdJ ,sk; guhaj;jpdu; kJ ghtidf;F mbikahFk;

ghupanjhU gpur;rpidf;F Kfk; nfhLj;jJ. taJte;j Mz;fs; kj;jpapy; kpfTk; gutyhf

fhzg;gl;Lte;j ,e;j gpur;rpid jw;NghJ ,sk; re;jjpapdu; kj;jpapy; kpf Ntfkhf gutpAs;sJ.

,isQu; kj;jpapy; epytpa ,e;j nfLjyhd gof;fk; fhuzkhf Fwpg;ghf twpa FLk;gq;fs; ghupa

nghUsjhu gpur;rpidfSf;F Kfk;nfhLj;JJld; fpuhkj;jpy; td;KiwAk; Fw;wr;nray;fSk;

mjpfupf;fr; nra;jd.

,e;j r%fg; gpur;rpidf;F jPu;T fhZk; Kfkhf vbf; (ADIC) mikg;G Mu;[Pvd;Nf (RGNK)

cld; ,ize;J ,sk; guhaj;jpdh; kJghtidf;F mbikahtij jLj;J epWj;Jtjw;fhd

Ntiyj;jpl;lnkhd;iw eilKiwg;gLj;Jtjw;F xf;];ghk; epWtdk; (OXFAM) vbf; (ADIC)

epWtdj;jpw;F jdJ xj;jhiria toq;fpaJ. 2010 Mk; Mz;L Mf];l; khjk; Mu;[Pvd;Nf

mikg;igr; Nru;e;j gy r%fg; gpujpepjpfSf;F vbf; mikg;gpdhy; gapw;rpfs; toq;fg;gl;ld.

Ful;baht fpuhkj;ijr; Nru;e;j jahdpAk; ,e;jg; gapw;rpia ngw;Wf;nfhs;tjw;fhf tUifj;

je;jtu;fspy;; xUtuhthu;.

nrad;KiwAk; tpisTk;

2006 Mk; Mz;L RGNK mikg;gpy; ,ize;Jnfhz;l gpd;du; xU jdpegu; vd;w tifapy; jahdpapy;

Vw;gl;l khw;wq;fs; cz;ikapNyNa epiykhw;wj;jpw;F tpj;jpl;l tplak; vd;Nw $wyhk;. mts; RGNK cld; ,ize;J nfhs;tjw;F Kd;du; nghJ ,lq;fspy; NgRtjw;F jd;dk;gpf;ifAk;

mjw;fhd jpwd;fisAk; nfhz;bUf;ftpy;iy. mts; cWjpahd ngz;zhf ,Ue;jNghjpYk;

gpur;rpidfis vt;thW ifahStJ vd;gJ gw;wp mtSf;F Fiwthd tpopg;Gzu;Tk; mDgtKNk

,Ue;jd. ,jd; fhuzkhf mts; nghJ muq;Ffspy; NgRtjw;Fk; fUkkhw;Wtjw;Fk; mt;tsthf

tpUk;gtpy;iy. vt;thwhapDk; mts;> mtspd; rKjhak; Kfk;nfhLj;j gy;NtW gpur;rpidfs;

njhlHghf eltbf;if Nkw;nfhs;tjw;F ijupaKk; jplrq;fw;gKk; cila gyk;nghUe;jpa

jd;dk;gpf;ifkpf;fnjhU jiytpahf khWtjw;F mt;tsT fhyk; vLf;ftpy;iy.

8 taJila ,sk;gps;isfs; $l kJghdk; mUe;Jjy;> Nghij t];j;;Jf;fis gad;gLj;Jjy;

kw;Wk; fsthLjy; Nghd;w tplaq;fspy; <LgLtij ghu;f;fpd;w NghJ fl;bsk; gUtKila ,uz;L

gps;isfspd; jha; vd;w uPjpapy; mJ jahdpapd; kdij ntFthf ghjpj;jJ. MfNt> ,e;j

gpur;rpidf;Fj; jPu;Tfhz Ntz;Lnkd jahdp jplrq;fw;gk; G‹z;lhshapDk; mJ mt;tsT Rygkhd

fhupakhf ,Uf;ftpy;iy. ,J mtspd; nrhe;j thof;;ifapYk; gy;NtW rthy;fis Njhw;Wtpj;jJ.

mtSila fztDk; $l kJTf;F mbikahdtu;. mNj Neuj;jpy; mtspd; jhAk; ntspehl;by;

Ntiy nra;J nfhz;bUe;jhs;. MfNt jdf;F ,e;jg; Nghuhl;lj;jpw;F FLk;gj;jpypUe;J vt;tpj

cjtpAk; fpilf;ftpy;iy.

,jw;F Ke;jpa gapw;rpfspypUe;J mtSf;F fpilj;j mwpitAk; jpwidAk; nfhz;ltshf

jahdp NghijA+l;Lk; nghUl;fspdhy; Vw;glf;$ba kpf Nkhrkhd tpisTfisAk; mjid

jzpj;Jf;nfhs;tjw;fhd cj;jpfs; vd;d vd;gijg; gw;wpAk; tpopg;Gzu;T+l;Lk; epfo;r;rpfis

elhj;jpdhs;. ,e;j tpopg;Gzu;T+l;Lk; epfo;r;rpfs; rptpy; FOf;fspd; xj;Jiog;Gld; elhj;jg;gl;ld.

,e;j nrad;Kiw KOtjpYk; jahdp jhd; r%f mzpjpul;ly; kw;Wk; rKjha tYT‹l;ly;

rk;ge;jkhf RGNK mikg;gplkpUe;Jk; Nghijt];J kw;Wk; kJghtid rk;ge;jg;gl;l tplaq;fis

Kfhikj;Jtk; nra;jy; gw;wp vbf; (ADIC) mikg;gplkpUe;J ngw;w gapw;rpfisAk; fw;witfisAk;

gad;gLj;jpf; nfhz;lhs;.

13



mts; ,isQu; FOf;fis ];jhgpg;gjd; Clhf ,isQu;fis xOq;fikj;jhs;. mts;

fpukkhd Kiwapy; ,e;j FOf;fSld; $l;lq;fis elhj;jpaJld; xU re;ju;g;gj;jpy; ghjpf;fg;gl;l

gps;isfisAk; ,izj;Jf;nfhz;L $l;lnkhd;iw elhj;jpdhs;. 8 Kjy; 12 taJf;fpilapyhd

gps;isfNs ,t;tplaj;jpy; Kf;fpa ftdk; nrYj;jg;gl;ltu;fshf ,Ue;jdu;. rpy re;ju;g;gq;fspy;

mts; ghjpf;fg;l;l gps;isfspd; ngw;NwhuplkpUe;J vjpu;g;GfSf;Fk; Kfk;nfhLj;jhs;. r%fj;jpdhy;

js;spitf;fg;gl;Ls;s tplaj;jpy; jq;fSila gps;isfs; rk;ge;jg;gLtij tpUk;ghj kw;Wk;

,t;thwhd gof;fk; jq;fSila gps;isfSf;F cs;snjd kWf;Fk; ngw;NwhuplkpUe;Nj ,e;j

vjpu;g;Gfs; Njhd;wpd. MapDk; jdJ ,e;j nrad;KiwapD}lhf ,sk; jiytu;fs; cUthfpdhu;fs;

vd;gjpy; jahdp ngupJk; ngUkpjk; mile;jhs;.


jahdp gzpahw;wpa FOf;fisr; Nru;e;j 20 gps;isfspy; ehd;F gps;isfs; jw;NghJ

kPz;Lk; ghlrhiyf;F nry;tjw;F Muk;gpj;Js;sJld; mtu;fs; NghijA‹l;Lk; nghUl;fs;

ghtidapYUe;J tpLgl;Ls;shu;fs;. ,e;j gps;isfs; jahdpAlDk; mtu;fSld; njhlu;G

nfhz;bUe;j cj;jpNahfj;ju;fSlDk; neUq;fpa njhlu;Gfis itj;Js;sJld; njhlu;e;Jk; r%f

Ntiyfspy; njhlh;r;rpahf <LgLfpd;whu;fs;. NkYk; jw;NghJk; cjtp Njitg;gLfpd;w midj;J

gps;isfSf;Fk; njhlu;r;rpahd cjtpfs; toq;fg;gLfpd;wd. jahdp ,jid fzprdkhdnjhU

ntw;wpnad;Nw fUJfpd;whs;.

ngz;fspd; jiyikj;Jtj;jpd; Clhf rKjha Nkk;ghl;bw;fhf cz;ikapNyNa jq;fis

mu;g;gzpj;Jf;nfhz;l rk;ge;jg;gl;l cj;jpNahfj;ju;fSld; Ngzg;gl;l neUq;fpa njhlu;Ng

,e;j ntw;wpf;F toptFj;j khw;wj;jpw;fhd fhuzpahf mikfpd;wJ. ,t;thwhdnjhU xj;jhir

fpilf;fhky; ,Ue;jpUf;Fkhapd; ,e;j Kd;Ndw;wk; rhj;jpakhfp ,Uf;fhnjd jahdp $Wfpd;whu;.

fy;dht nghyp;]; epiyaj;jpd; rpWtu;> ngz;fs; fUkgPlj;ij Nru;e;j cj;jpNaHfj;ju;;fs;> fpuhk

Nritahsu;fs; kw;Wk; RGNK mikg;gpd; rpNu~;l cj;jpNahfj;ju; jpU. gpNukrpwp Nghd;wtu;fs;

,t;thW xj;jhir toq;fpa cj;jpNahfj;ju;fspy; rpyu; Mtu;. RGNK mikg;gpypUe;J fpilj;j

epWtd uPjpapyhd cjtpfs;> khtl;lj;jpd; ngz; jiyikj;Jtj;jpd; rf;jpahf jpfo;e;j ngz;

jiytpfspd; gq;fspg;gpid mq;fPfupg;gjw;Fk; vw;Wf;nfhs;tjw;Fk; Vidath;fs; fhl;ba jahu;

epiyAk; ,t;tplaj;jpy; Kf;fpakhdjhFk;.

14


Collective Action for Equal Land RightsVaharaiKoralai Pattu Northern Development Union (KPNDU)

Context

Equal access to and enjoyment of resources is an important demand within the women’s movement, and includes control over natural resources in keeping with principles of social equality and justice. In Sri Lanka every community, irrespective of religion and ethnicity, customarily recognized women’s rights to land and other immovable property. The recognition of women’s rights to land and property varied between by regions, and was generally unequal to that of men.

The laws on land rights pre-date the current Sri Lankan Constitution and they remain valid in spite of their inconsistency with the constitutional provisions on equality. State action is required to bring them in line with the constitutional standards. Much of the post tsunami resettlement took place on State land, with the related laws and administrative practices impinging on equality for women’s access to land.

Before 2004, in Vakarai, a small village 65 kilometers North West of Batticoloa town, the Land and property ownership was registered under the men`s names only. Despite a long standing matrilineal tradition of land ownership in the East, land given to women by their families during marriage as dowry was registered only in the man`s name, indicative of the degree of discrimination, inequality and lack of women’s right and ownership over land. Communities and affected women accepted this as the norm, even though it adversely impacted on their independence and ability to constructively head a household unit.

Process and Outcome

In 1995, a partner of OAU in Sri Lanka, KPNDU1 commenced operations in Sri Lanka. Their preliminary activities were rights based and included educating the community on their rights and entitlements, specifically on land rights and women`s rights. At this stage, established village level institutions, such as representatives of the Rural Development Society (RDS) did not support the work of KPNDU and did not support this intended change. There were exceptions emerging from some of the poorest families, in that some men were willing to register their properties under their wives’ or daughter’s names.

The tsunami disaster had a devastating effect on Vakarai, with extensive damage to property and displacement of people. KPNDU and their networks used this opportunity to mobilize their ideas and push for change among the people who were in different camps. At this stage they were able to garner the support of the Rural Development Societies, Women Rural Development Societies (WRDS) and Fishing Societies which were recognized as active community based civil society stakeholders. KPNDU benefited by the influx of funding and resources, with certain NGOs agreeing to provide support specifically on land and property ownership registration for women. As part of this advocacy KPNDU worked with the Grama Niladhari, Divisional Secretary and land officials involved in land registration, acting as change agents explaining to both affected communities and to officials who opposed the registering of land to women.

KPNDU built temporary shelters under the women’s names and supplied needed materials as initial steps. Other NGOs welcomed this idea and came forward to supply materials to women. KPNDU was able to structure their intervention on the needs of the people, by meeting several women in the camps and gathering their inputs on this issue. The authorities then gave priority to these women to select the land, as per their preferred area of residence. They had discussions with their families, including their husbands and selected their preferred location for permanent housing. During tsunami resettlement, KPNDU built 86 houses; 58 were registered under the woman`s name, 06 houses registered under the man`s name, and 22 houses were registered under the both names as joint ownership.

1 KoralaipattuNorthDevelopmentUnionisacommunitybasedorganisationbasedintheAmparaDistrictintheEasternProvince.

15



Results and Beyond

Through persistent efforts and careful strategizing KPNDU has been able to achieve significant results in challenging tradition and changing the mindset of both men and women. KPNDU has been able to influence a majority of men who strongly feel that women should have property rights, with only a few disagreeing and unwilling to participate. Communities recognize the importance of and accept joint land registration. There are also certain families that prefer to register in the name of the woman only.

This case study reflects the value of collective action and the importance of networks when pursuing action on behalf of the community. The foremost factor that can be attributed to the successes achieved is that there was widespread prioritization of this issue across stakeholders and networks. KPNDU’s prioritization of this issue and the unstinted commitment to this cause enabled them to earn the necessary recognition to spearhead this campaign.

16


iu bvï whs;Ska i|yd iduQysl m%h;akh

jdyrhs

fldarf<a m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok moku (KPNDU)

ikao¾Nh

iïm;a i|yd iu m%fõYh iy N=la;sh ldka;d jHdmdrh ;=< jeo.;a fukau m%n, b,a,Sula jk w;r, iudc iudkd;au;djh iy idOdrK;ajh hk uQ,O¾u j,g wkql+,j iajNdúl iïm;a u; md,kho thg we;=,;a fõ' ish wd.u O¾uh iy ckjd¾.sl;ajh l=ula jQj;a, Ys% ,xldfõ iEu m%cdjlau bvï iy wfkl=;a ksYap, foam< ms<sn|j ldka;djkag we;s whs;sh isß;la jYfhka ms<sf.k ;snqKs' ldka;djka yg bvï iy foam< j,g we;s whs;sh ms<s.ekSu m<d;a wkqj úúO jQ w;r, th idudkHfhka msßñka yg we;s whs;shg wiudk úh'

bvï whs;Ska ms<sn| kS;sh mj;sk Ys% ,xld jHjia:djg jvd bmerKs jk w;r, idudkd;au;djh .ek jHjia:dfjys m%;smdok iu. tajdfhys mj;sk fkd.e<mSu u; jqjo ;ju;a j,x.=j mj;S' tajd jHjia:duh m%ñ;Ska iu. tla ;,hlg f.k tau i|yd rdcHuh ls%hdud¾.hla wjYHh'

mYapd;a iqkdñ kej; mosxÑlrùï fndfydauhla rcfha bvï j, isÿjQfha wÞ< kS;s iy mßmd,k Ndú;hka ;=,ska bvï j,g ldka;d m%fõYfhys we;s idudkd;au;djh .ek .egqï we;s lrñks'

jir 2004 g fmr, uvl<mqj k.rhg lsf,da óg¾ 65 la jhUg msysgd we;s jdlf¾ kue;s l=vd .ïudkfhys bvï iy foam< ysñlu ,shdmÈxÑ flrefKa msßñkaf.a kug muKs' §¾> ld,hla kef.kysr m%foaYfhys bvï ysñlu iïm%odhdkql+,j mej;=fKa ud;DjxYshj ̂ ujf.a md¾Yjh ;=<& jQjo, ish újdyfhaoS ldka;djka yg ish mjq,a j,ska odhdoh f,i ,efnk bvï ,shdmÈxÑ flrefKa msßñ md¾Yjfhys kugh' fï u`.ska, fjkia fldg ie<lsSfï W.%nj, widudkd;au;djh iy bvï flfrys ldka;djkayg whs;Ska iy ysñlï fkdue;s nj hk fïjd fudkjg fmkakqï flreKs' fuu ;;a;ajh" .Dyia: tallhla jevodhl f,i mj;ajdf.k hdug we;s Tjqkaf.a ksoyi iy yelshdj flfrys wys;lr f,i n,mEï t,a, l<o, m%cdjg n,mEug ,lajQ ldka;djka úiskao fuh idudkH fohla f,i ms<s.kakd ,oS'


1995 jif¾oS Tlaia*Eï íafÜ%,shdys yjq,aldr ixúOkhla jQ fldarf<a m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok moku1 ish fufyhqï Ys% ,xldj ;=< wdrïN lrk ,oS' Tjqkaf.a uQ,sl ls%hdldrlï whs;Ska mdol lr.;a tajd jQ w;r, ish whs;Ska iy ysñlï ms<sn|j úfYaIfhka bvï whs;Ska iy ldka;d whs;Ska ms<sn|j m%cdj ±kqj;A lsÍu we;=<;A úh' fuu wjia:dfõoS, .%du ixj¾Ok iñ;sfhys ksfhdað;hska jeks ixia:dms; .%dóh uÜgfuys wdh;k úiska, fldarf<a m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok mokfuys ld¾hhka yg fyda Tjqka we;slsÍug n,dfmdfrd;a;=jQ fuu fjki flfrys fyda iyhla fkdolajk ,§' tfy;a iuyr b;du;au ÿ.S mjq,aj, msßñka Tjqkaf.a foam, ish Nd¾hdjkaf.a fyda ÈhKshkaf.a kug ,shd mÈxÑ lsßug leu;sùu mj;sk ;;ajfhys fjkila f,i u;=jQKs'

iqkdñ jHikh u`.ska jdlf¾ .ïudkh ;=< isÿjQ foam, úkdYh iy mqoa.,hska wj;ekaùu w;s úYd, jQ w;r, tu`.ska w;s úkdYldÍ n,mEula we;súh' fldarf<a m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok moku iy Tjqkaf.a cd, u`.ska fuu wjia:dfjka m%fhdack f.k úúO l|jqre ;=< isá ck;dj w;r fjkila lsÍu i|yd Tjqkaf.a woyia bÈßm;a lsÍfuys fhÿKs' fuysoS Tjqka yg .%du ixj¾Ok iñ;s, ldka;d .%du ixj¾Ok iñ;s iy ëjr iñ;s jeks ls%hdldÍ m%cd uQ,sl iudc md¾Yajlrejka ms<sf.k ;snq ixúOdkj, iydh ,nd .ekSug yelsúh' iuyr rdcH fkdjk ixúOdk ldka;djka yg bvï iy foam< ysñlï ,shdmÈxÑ lsÍu .ek úfYaIfhka iydh oelaùug leue;a; m<lsÍu;a iu. fldarf<aa m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok ix.uh yg wruqo,a iy iïm;a .,d tau yryd m%;s,dN ,enqKs' fuu WoafoaYk ls%hdj,sfha wx.hla f,i fldarf<aa m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok moku úiska .%du ks,Odß, m%dfoaYSh f,alï iy bvï ,shdmÈxÑ lsÍug iïnkaO bvï ks,OdÍka iu. lghq;= lrñka

1 fldarf<a m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok moku hkq kef.kysr m<df;a wïmdr Èia;s%lalh ;=< m%cd uQ,sl ixúOdkhls'

17



ldka;djka yg bvï ,shd mÈxÑ lsÍug tfrys jQ m%cdjkag iy ks,OdÍka yg ta ms<sn|j meyeÈ,s lrfoñka fjkialï lsÍfï ksfhdað;hska f,i lghq;= lrk ,oS'

uQ,sl mshjr f,i fldarf<a m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok moku úiska ldka;djkaf.a kug ;djld,sl jdiia:dk bÈlr wjYH øjH imhd fok ,oS' l|jqre ;=< isák ldka;djka lsysm fofkl= yuQù fuu .eg`Mj ms<sn|j TjQkaf.a woyiao ,ndf.k, ck;djf.a wjYH;d u; ish ueÈy;aùu jHQy.; lsÍug fldarf<a m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok mokug yelsúh' túg n,OdÍka úiska fuu ldka;djka yg Tjqka jdih lsÍug jvd;au leu;s fmfoia j,ska bvï f;dard .ekSfï m%uqL;ajh ,nd fok ,oS' TjQyq ish ieñhd we;=`M Tjqkaf.a mjq,a iu. idlÉPd lr iaÓr ksjdi iEoSu i|yd jvd;a leu;s fmfoia f;dard .;ay' iqkdñfhka wj;eka jQjka kej; mÈxÑ lsÍfï ld,h ;=< fldarf<a m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok moku úiska ksjdi 86 la bÈlrk ,oS' 58 la ldka;djkaf.a kug ,shd mÈxÑ lrk ,oS' ksjdi 6 la msßñkaf.a kug ,shd mÈxÑ lr, ksjdi 22 la yjq,a ysñlï iys;j fofokdf.au kug ,shd mÈxÑ lrk ,§'

m%;s,dN iy bka Tíng

fldarf<a m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok moku u.ska ksrka;r W;aiydfhka iy olaI f,i Wmdh ud¾.slj lghq;= lsßfuka, iïm%odhhg wNsfhda. lsÍu ;=<ska iqúfYaIs m%;sM, ,ndf.k msßñkaf.a iy ldka;djkaf.a uki fjkia lsÍu id¾:lj bgqlr .kakd ,§' ldka;djka yg foafmd< whs;sh ;sìh hq;= hehs ;on, f,i is;k msßñka fndfyda fofkl=g n,mEï lsÍug fldarf<a m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok mokug yelsúh' fuhg tl`. fkdù iyNd.s fkdjQfha b;d iq`:;rhls' yjq,aj bvï ,shdmÈxÑ lsÍfï jeo.;alu m%cdj úiska y÷kdf.k, th ms<sf.k we;' ldka;djkaf.a kug muKla ,shdmÈxÑ lsÍug jvd leue;a;la oelajQ iuyr mjq,ao isáhy'

fuu isoaê wOHhkfhka úoyd olajkafka iduQyslj ls%hd;aul ùfï w.h iy m%cdj fjkqfjka lghq;= lsÍfñoS cd,hkaf.a jeo.;aluh' fuu id¾:l;ajhka ,nd .eksfïoS fya;= ldrl jQ m%Odk;u idOlh f,i ie<lsh yelafla, fuu .eg`Mjg md¾Yajlrejka iy cd, yryd mq`M,a m%uqL;ajhla ,ndoSuhs' fldarf<a m;a;= W;=r ixj¾Ok moku u.ska fuu .eg`Mjg m%uqL;ajh §u iy ta fjkqfjka oelajQ ukd lemùu ;=<ska fuu m%h;akh bÈßhg f.k hdug wjYH ms<s.ekSu ,nd.ekSug Tjqkag yelsúh'

18


rkj;Jt fhzp chpikf;fhd xd;wpize;j

nraw;ghL – thfiu

tsq;fis mile;Jnfhs;tjw;Fk; mDgtpg;gjw;Fk; rkkhd cupikia ngz;fs; nfhz;bUf;f

Ntz;Lnkd;gJ ngz;fs; ,af;fq;fspdhy; Kd;itf;fg;gLk; Kf;fpakhdnjhU Nfhupf;ifahf

,Ue;JtUtJld; ,J r%fePjp kw;Wk; rkj;Jtj;Jtk; Nghd;w Nfhl;ghLfspd; mbg;gilapy;

,aw;if tsq;fs; kPJ nfhz;Ls;s fl;Lg;ghl;ilAk; cs;slf;Ffpd;wJ. ,yq;ifia nghWj;jkl;by;

,dk;> kjk; vd;w Ngjkpd;wp ngz;fSf;fhd fhzp kw;Wk; mirAk; nrhj;Jf;fSf;fhd cupikfs;

midj;J rKjhaq;fspYk; kuGuPjpahf Vw;wf;nfhs;sg;gl;Ls;sd. fhzp kw;Wk; nrhj;Jf;fs;

kPJ ngz;fs; nfhz;Ls;s cupikf;fhd mq;fPfhuk; gpuhe;jpaj;jpw;F gpuhe;jpak; NtWghLfis

nfhz;bUe;jJld; Mz;fSf;Fupa cupikfSld; xg;gpLifapy; nghJthf rkj;Jtkw;w

jd;ikapNyNa mJ fhzg;gl;lJ.

fhzp cupikfs; gw;wpa rl;lq;fs; jw;Nghija ,yq;if murpayikg;G cUthf;fg;gl;l

fhyj;Jf;Fk; Kd;duhd fhyk; tiu fle;J nry;tJld; rkj;Jtk; gw;wpa jw;Nghija murpay;

mikg;G uPjpapyhd Vw;ghLfSf;F ,dq;fpnahOfhj jd;ikfs; fhzg;gl;lNghjpYk; mit

,w;iwtiu nry;YgbahdjhfTk; ,Uf;fpd;wd. mtw;iw murpay; mikg;G uPjpapyhd

juq;fSf;F Vw;w tifapy; rPu;nra;tjw;F murpd; nraw;ghLfs; Njitg;gLfpd;wd. Rdhkpf;F

gpd;duhd mNefkhd kPs;FbNaw;wq;fs; mur fhzpfspNyNa Nkw;nfhs;sg;gl;lJld; fhzpfis

ngw;Wf;nfhs;tjw;F ngz;fSf;Fupa rkj;Jt cupikfs; rk;ge;jg;gl;l rl;lq;fs; kw;Wk; epu;thf

eilKiwfs; kPwg;gLk; tifapy; ,lk;ngw;wd.

kl;lf;fsg;G efuj;jpw;F 65 fpNyhkPw;wu; tlNkw;fpy; mike;Js;s thfiu vDk; rpwpa

fpuhkj;jpy; fhzpfSk; nrhj;Jf;fSk; 2004 Mk; Mz;bw;F Kd;du; Mz;fspd; ngaupy;

khj;jpuNk gjpTnra;ag;gl;ld. fpof;fpy; fhzpfspd; cupj;J rk;ge;jkhf ePz;lfhykhf gpd;gw;wp

tug;gl;l jha;top ghuk;gupaj;ij kPwp jpUkzj;jpd; NghJ rPjdkhf ngz;Zf;F mtspd;

FLk;gj;jpdhy; toq;fg;gLfpd;w fhzp Mzpd; ngaupy; khj;jpuk; gjpTnra;ag;gl;ljpd; %yk;

fhzpfs; rk;ge;jkhf ngz;fs; nfhz;Ls;s Fiwthd cupikiaAk; ghugl;rj;jpd; msitAk;

czue;Jnfhs;sf;$bajhf ,Uf;fpd;wJ. ,J Rje;jpuk; kw;Wk; xU FLk;gj;jpy; Mf;fG‹u;tkhf

jiyikj;Jtj;ij tfpg;gjw;Fupa Mw;wy; Mfpatw;wpd; kPJ ngz;fSf;F kpf Nkhrkhd

jhf;fj;ij Vw;gLj;jty;y tplakhf ,Ug;gpDk; ,jid rKjhaq;fSk; ghjpf;fg;gl;l ngz;fSk;

xU newpahf Vw;Wf;nfhz;ldu;.

nrad;KiwAk; ngWNgWk;

1995 Mk; Mz;L ,yq;if xf;];ghk; mT]jpNuypah (OAU) mikg;gpd; gq;fhsu; Nfhuisg;gw;W

tlf;F mgptpUj;jp xd;wpak; (KPNDU) jdJ nraw;ghLfis ,yq;iapy; Muk;gpj;jJ. mtu;fspd;

Muk;gf;fl;l nraw;ghLfs; cupikfis ikakhff; nfhz;ljhf ,Ue;jJld; rKjhaj;ij>

mtu;fspd; cupikfs; kw;Wk; cupj;Jfs; gw;wpAk; Fwpg;ghf fhzp cupikfs; kw;Wk; ngz;fs;

cupikfs; gw;wpAk; mwpT+l;Ltjhf ,Ue;jJ. ,f;fl;lj;jpy; fpuhkpa mgptpUj;jp rq;fk;(RDS)

Nghd;w fpuhkpa kl;lj;jpy; ];jhgpf;fg;gl;l epWtdq;fs; KPNDU mikg;gpd; NtiyfSf;F

xj;jhir toq;ftpy;iynad;gJld; vjpu;ghu;j;j khw;wq;fis nfhz;LtUtjw;Fk; cjttpy;iy.

MapDk; kpfTk; twpa rpy FLk;gq;fspypUe;J tpjptpyf;fhd tplaq;fs; ,lk;ngw;wd. ,tu;fspy;

rpy Mz;fs; mtu;fspd; nrhj;Jf;fis jq;fSila kidtpapd; my;yJ kfspd; ngaupy; gjpT

nra;jhu;fs;.

Rdhkp Nguoptpdhy; thfiu ghupa Nrjj;jpw;F cs;shfpaJ. kf;fs; ngUksT ,lk;ngau;e;jJld;

nrhj;Jf;fSk; ghupastpy; ehrkile;jd. KPNDU mikg;Gk; mjd; tiyaikg;GfSk;

,e;j re;jHg;gj;ij crpjkhd Kiwapy; gad;gLj;jp mtu;fspd; fUj;Jf;fis xd;wpizj;J

,lk;ngau;e;J gy;NtW Kfhk;fspy; tho;e;j kf;fis xU khw;wj;jpw;fhf topelj;jpdhu;fs;.

,f;fl;lj;jpy; mtu;fSf;F fpuhk mgptpUj;jpr; rq;fj;jpd; cjtpia ngw;Wf;nfhs;tjw;F

19



,ad;wJld; ngz;fs; fpuhkpa mgptpUj;jp rq;fq;fs; (WRDS) kw;Wk; kPd;gpb rq;fq;fs; Mfpait

Kidg;ghd rptpy; r%f gq;fPLghl;lhsu;fshf ,dq;fhzg;gl;ldu;. KPNDU jq;fis Nehf;fp te;j

ngUksT epjp kw;Wk; Vida tsq;fspdhy; ed;ikaile;jJld; rpy mur rhu;gw;w epWtdq;fs;

ngz;fSf;fhd fhzp kw;Wk; nrhj;Jf;fs; kPjhd cupj;J rk;ge;jkhd tplaq;fSf;F cjtp

toq;Ftjw;F ,zf;fk; njuptpj;jd. ,e;j gupe;Jiuapd; xU gFjpahf KPNDU mikg;G fhzpfis

gjpTnra;Ak; nraw;ghl;by; fpuhk Nrit cj;jpNahfj;ju;fs;> gpuNjr nrayhsu;fs; kw;Wk; fhzp

cj;jpNahfj;ju;fSld; gzpahw;wp ghjpf;fgl;l rKjhaq;fSf;Fk; fhzpfis ngz;fspd; ngaupy;

gjpT nra;tjw;F vjpu;g;G njuptpf;fpd;w cj;jpNahfj;ju;fSf;Fk; tplaq;fis njspTgLj;jp

khw;wk; Vw;gLj;Jtjw;fhd fhuzpahf nraw;gl;lJ.

KPNDU ngz;fspd; ngau;fspd; fPo; jw;fhypf tPLfis mikj;J> Njitahd rpy nghUl;fis

Kjw;fl;lkhf toq;fpaJ. kw;iwa mur rhu;gw;w epWtdq;fs; ,e;j fUj;jpid tuNtw;wJld;

ngz;fSf;F rpy %yg;nghUl;fis toq;Ftjw;Fk; Kd;te;jd. KPNDU mikg;G Kfhk;fspYs;s

rpy ngz;fis re;jpj;J ,e;j tplak; rk;ge;;jkhf mtu;fspd; fUj;Jf;fis Nrfupj;jjpd; %yk;

kf;fspd; Njitapd;ghy; mtu;fspd; ,ilaPl;bid fl;likj;Jf;nfhs;s ,ad;wJ. mjidaLj;J

cj;jpNahfj;ju;fs; ,g;ngz;fs; tho tpUk;Gk; gpuNjrj;jpw;Nfw;g fhzpfis njupT nra;tjw;F

,e;j ngz;fSf;F Kd;Dupik toq;fpdu;. ,g;ngz;fs; ,tu;fspd; fztd;khu; cs;spl;l

FLk;gj;jpdUld; fye;Jiuahb epue;ju tPLfis mikg;gjw;F mtu;fs; tpUk;Gk; ,lq;fis

njupTnra;jdu;. Rdhkp kPs;FbNaw;wf;fhyj;jpy; KPNDU 86 tPLfis mikj;jJld; mjpy;

58 tPLfis ngz;fspd; ngau;fspy; gjpTnra;jJ. ,tw;wpy; 06 tPLfs; Mz;fspd; ngau;fspy;

gjptnra;ag;gl;lJld; 22 tPLfs; ,uz;L Ngupd; ngaupYk; $l;lhf gjpT nra;ag;gl;ld.

ngWNgWfSk; mjw;F mg;ghYk;.

njhlu;r;rpahd Kaw;rpfisAk; kpff;ftdkhf cUthf;fg;l;l cj;jpfisAk; nfhz;L KPNDU

mikg;G ,e;j ghuk;gupaj;jpw;F rthy;tpLtjw;Fk; Mz;fspdJk; ngz;fspdJk; rpe;jid

Nahl;ilj;ij khw;Wtjw;Fk; Nkw;nfhz;l Kaw;rpapy; fzprkhdsT milTfis ngw;Ws;sJ.

ngz;fSf;F nrhj;Jupik ,Uf;f Njitapy;iy vd kpf cWjpahf fUj;Jiuf;fpd;w mNefkhd

Mz;fs; kPJ nry;thf;F nrYj;Jtjw;F KPNDU mikg;gpw;F ,ad;wJld; xU rpyu; khj;jpuNk

,jw;F ,zq;fhkYk; gq;Nfw;gjw;F tpUk;ghkYk; ,Uf;fpd;wdu;. fhzpfs; $l;lhf gjpT

nra;ag;Ltjd; Kf;fpaj;Jtj;ij rKjhaq;fs; mq;fPfupg;gJld; fhzp $l;lhf gjpag;gLtij

Vw;Wf;nfhs;fpd;wdu;.

,e;j fw;ifr;rk;gtk; $l;lhf nraw;gLtjpd; ngWkjpia ntspg;gL;;j;JtJld;

rKjhaj;jpd; rhu;gpy; eltbf;if Nkw;nfhs;Sk;NghJ tiyaikg;Gfspd; Kf;fpaj;Jtj;ijAk;

ntspf;fhl;Lfpd;wJ. ,t;tplaj;jpy; mile;Jnfhz;l ntw;wpfSf;F kpfTk; Kd;dzp fhuzpahf

miktJ gq;fPLghl;lhsu;fs; kw;Wk; tiyg;gpd;dy;fSf;F kj;jpapy; gpur;rpidfs; gue;jsT

Kd;DupikgLj;jg;gl;lJk; MFk;. KPNDU ,g;gpur;rpidia Kd;Dupikg;gLj;jp mjd;ghy; jsuhJ

mu;g;gzpg;Gld; nrayhw;wpaikNa ,e;j Kaw;rpia Kd;ndLj;Jr; nry;tjw;F Njitahd

mq;fPfhuj;ijg; ngw;Wj;je;jJ.

20


A Woman’s Bravery Halts Unauthorized Land Acquisition Hambantota Hambantota Rural Development Foundation (HRDF)

Context

Kumari lives in Andarawewa, a small scrubland in the Hambantota District. Like many women who live in rural Sri Lanka, she lacked awareness on her rights and entitlements due to little or no exposure to information and opportunities. However, this did not stop her from dreaming about change, both at a personal level and for her community. She was by nature quite a timid and backward personality and dared not venture long distances out of her home by herself. She was very frightened of police officers and had never been to a police station alone. Although she was trapped within traditional expectations of women and largely confined to the home, she yearned to learn, to build her capacities and skills to grow.

The society she lived in never provided her many opportunities until she became part of HRDF1. After being approached by a HRDF field officer, she agreed to join HRDF in 2007, a decision that would change her life forever. The exposure, trainings and opportunities she received then on from HRDF changed her as an individual and gave her the strength as a person to break the shackles that confined her. It made her realize her worth and her potential to be a woman leader and bring about change for the community she is lives in. The trainings introduced systems and processes for identifying opportunities to rise in the wake of challenges and to seek redress for grievances faced by her community.

A common phenomena faced by communities in several districts, including Hambantota is that of land grabbing, where the arbitrary and forceful capturing of rural lands for commercial and development purposes has become almost routine. In seeking justice, communities have to often confront very wealthy and powerful political actors.

Process and outcome

The following incident showcases how Kumari was able to demonstrate qualities of courage, resilience and commitment as a dynamic woman leader in the community. In 2009, Kumari witnessed a bull dozer attempting to break the fence of a paddy land that was being cultivated by several families. Seeing this unexpected action she confronted the people who were trying to break the fence and questioned their right to destroy the paddy lands.

She was informed that a local politician had purchased all 25 acres of this land. She questioned how a politician could purchase land that the community had enjoyed possession of for nearly 25 years. Following this, the tractor started its engine again to proceed with the breaking of the fences. Kumari lay down on the road obstructing the path of the tractor. The driver did not stop and slowly started to drive towards her. She just lay still “at that moment, I thought to myself, I am prepared to lay my life on the line for this community cause.” The tractor approached within inches of Kumari, but realizing that this will not make her move, they abandoned the idea and went away.

Kumari did not stop there. She called the police hotline 119 to complain but no action was taken. This was followed up with an official complaint, where she faced significant harassment, as none of the police officers were prepared to take the case seriously. Subsequently however, together with other members of the community, this incident was communicated to a certain prominent politician. The police took notice of the issue. The Officer in Charge summoned both parties to the police station, and upon hearing both parties directed this issue to the Divisional Secretary, who has jurisdiction regarding matters relating to land.

Results and beyond

On inspection of the relevant documents it was revealed that the local politician in question did not in fact have ownership over the 25 acres originally claimed but instead only had ownership of 3 acres. The rest of the land was therefore released for the community to continue their cultivation and livelihood as before.

1. HambantotaRuhunuDevelopmentFederationisalocalcommunitybasedorganizationlocatedintheHambantotaDistrict.

21



Without her exposure to HRDF and the subsequent training and awareness-raising, Kumari would never have dreamed of boldly challenging corrupt power. The most significant change in her life was her internal transformation and empowerment following her association with HRDF, and her ability to apply this learning through her leadership position in serving the community. She was open to learning and took initiative to take action. She was able not only to transform herself but also influence the community to collectively stand up to power. Kumari’s story is a reminder that women leaders are a force to reckon with and that they will rise up against authority to have their issues addressed.

22


ldka;djlf.a ks¾NS;lu yryd kS;s úfrdaë bvï w;am;a lr.ekSug yria fjhs

yïnkaf;dg

reyqKq ixj¾Ok moku (HRDF)

ikao¾Nh

l=udß yïnkaf;dg Èia;s%lalfha l=vd ,`ÿ ìula jk wkaorjej .%dufha Èúf.jkakSh' f;dr;=re iy wjia:d j,g ksrdjrKh ù fkdue;s fya;=fjka Ys% ,xldfõ .ïno fndfyda ldka;djka yg fuka wehgo wehf.a whs;Ska iy ysñlï .ek oekqj;a lula fkd;snqKs' tfy;a, mQoa.,sl uÜgfï iy m%cdj ;=<o isÿúh hq;= fjkialï .ek isysk ueùu k;r lsÍug tu fkdoekqj;alu fya;= fkdùh' weh iajNdjfhkau ìh.=,q miqndk ;eke;a;shla jQ w;r, wef.a ksjiska msg ÿr neyer .ukla fyda ;ksj hdug bÈßm;a fkdjQjdh' weh fmd,sia ks,OdÍkag fndfyda fia ìhjQ w;r lsisÈkl ;ksj fmd,sia ia:dkhlg f.dia fkd;snqKs' ldka;djkaf.a iïm%odhhsl wfmalaIdjka ;=< fldgqù isá weh jeä ld,hla wef.a ksjfia .; l< kuq;a, bf.kSug;a, wef.a yelshdjka iy l=i,;d j¾Okh lr .ekSug;a uy;a fia wdYd l<dh'

weh yïnkaf;dg reyQKq ixj¾Ok mokfuys1 fldgila njg m;ajk ;=re weh Ôj;a jQ iudch u`.ska wehg wjia:d ,ndoS fkd;snqKs' yïnkaf;dg reyqKq ixj¾Ok mokfï flIa;% ks,OdÍka wehj yuqùu" weh 2007 jif¾oS tu ix.uhg ne`|Sug leue;a; m< lsÍug fya;= idOl úh' t;eka mgka weh yïnkaf;dg reyqKq ixj¾Ok ix.ufhka ,nd.;a ksrdjrKh, mqyqKq iy wjia:d ksid mqoa.,fhla f,i weh fjkia jQ w;r, wehj iSudlr ne| oud ;snq hoï ì| oeóug wehg Yla;sho ,enqKs' tu`.ska wehf.a jákdlu;a, ldka;d kdhsldjla ùug iy weh Ôj;ajk m%cdj ;=< fjkila lsÍug weh ;=< ;snq úNjh;a weh úiska f;areï .kakd ,§' mqyqKqùï u.ska wNsfhda. bÈßfha ke`.S isàug wjia:d y÷kd .ekSugo wef.a m%cdj úiska uqyqK fok ÿla .ekú,s j,g m%;sl¾u fiùugo wjYH moaO;so, ls%hdj,shkao y÷kajd fok ,oS'

yïnkaf;dg we;=`M Èia;s%lal lsysmhlu m%cdj uqyqK fok fmdÿ ixisoaêhla jkqfhA bvï fld,a,lEuh' .ïno bvï jdKsc iy ixj¾Ok wruqKq Wfoid w;a;fkdau;slj iy n,y;aldrfhka w,a,d .ekSu idudkH l%u p¾hdjla njg m;aj we;' idOdrK;ajhla bgqlr .ekSu msKsi ks;ru fndfyda Okj;a iy n,j;a foaYmd,ksl ls%hdlrejka yg wNsfhda. t,a, lsÍug m%cdjka yg isÿj we;'


m%cdj ;=< ls%hdYS,S ldka;d kdhsldjla f,i l=udß ish ffO¾hh, ord .ekSfï Yla;sh iy lemùu hk .=Kdx. Tmamq lr fmkakqï l< whqre my; oelafjk isoaêfhka ukdj Èiafõ' 2009 jif¾oS, mjq,a lsysmhla úiska j.d lrñka ;snq l=Uqrl jeg nQ,afvdairhla fhdod lvd oeóug W;aidy lrk whqre l=udß ÿgqjdh'

wlalr 25 la jQ fuu iïmq¾K bvu m%foaYfha foaYmd,k{fhl= úiska ñ,hg .;a nj wehg oek.ekaug ,enqKs' jir 25 la muK m%cdj u.ska whs;sh N=la;s ú|s bvula foaYmd,k{fhl=g ñ,hg .; yelafla flfiaoehs weh m%Yak l<dh' ñka miqj, kej; jegj,a lvd oeóu msKsi, g%elagrfha tkaðu mK .kajk ,oS' g%elagrfha u`. wyqrd l=udß mdf¾ je;sreKdh' ßhÿre fkdkj;ajd l=udß foig fiñka ßh meoùu wdrïN lf<ah' l=udß fkdfi,aù isg “uu m%cdj Wfoid fï mdr u; uf.a Èú msoSug iQodkï” hehs is;d .;a;dh' Tjqyq g%elagrh l=udßf.a isrerg w`.,a lsysmhla ;sìhoS, weh tu`.ska fkdfi,afjk nj f;areï f.k, Tjqkaf.a woyi w;ayer hkakg .shy'

l=udß ñka fkdkej;=Kdh' weh fmd,sia yÈis weu;=ï 119 weu;+ kuq;a meñKs,a,g lsis m%;spdrhla fkd,enqKs' bkamiq kS;suh f,i meñKs,a,la l<o, lsisu fmd,sia ks,Odßfhla fuu isoaêh nrm;, f,i Ndr .ekSug iQodkï fkdjQ ksid wehg iqúfYaIs f,i ysxid j,g uqyqK §ug isÿúh'

1 yïnkaf;dg reyQKq ixj¾Ok moku hkq yïnkaf;dg osia;s%lalfha mj;sk foaYSh m%cd uQ, ixúOdkhls'

23



flfia fyda miqj, m%cdfõ wksl=;a idudðlhskao iu. m%isoaO foaYmd,k{fhl= fj; fuu isoaêh .ek oekqï fok ,oS' bkamiq fmd,Sish fï .eg`Mj .ek ish wjOdkh fhduq lf<ah' fmd,sia ia:dkdêm;s, fomd¾Yajhu fmd,Sishg le|jd, Tjqkag weyqïlka§, bvï ms<sn| lghq;= .ek n,h we;s m%dfoaYSh f,alï fj; fuu .eg¿j fhduq lrk ,§'

m%;sM, iy bka Tíng

wod< ,shlshú,s mÍlaId lsÍfïoS fy<sjQfha tu foaYmd,k{hd yg wlalr 25 l whs;sh fkd;snQ nj;a, Tyqg ;sî we;af;a wlalr 3 l muK whs;sh nj;ah' fï wkqj b;sß bvï fldgi ish j.dj iy Ôjfkdamdh fmr mßÈ isÿlr f.k hdu i|yd m%cdj fj; ksoyia lrk ,§'

yïnkaf;dg reyqKq ixj¾Ok mokug ksrdjrKh ù miqj ,o mqyqKq iy oekqj;aùï l=udß i;= fkdúKskï, weh lsisÈkl ¥Is; n,hg ks¾NS;j wNsfhda. lsÍug isysfkkaj;a is;kafka ke;' wef.a Ôú;fha b;du;a iqúfYaIs fjki jQfha yïnkaf;dg reyqKq ixj¾Ok mokug iïnkaO ùfuka miq weh ;=< isÿjQ we;=,dka; mßj¾;kh iy n,.ekaùuo, m%cdjg fiajh lsßu i|yd wef.a kdhl;aj ;k;=r yryd tu bf.kSu ls%hdfõ fh§ug wehg ;snQ yelshdjhs' weh bf.kSug újD; ù th ls%hdfõ fhÈug uq,a msrejdh' wehg ;udj fjkia lr.ekSug muKla fkdj m%cdjg n,mEï lsÍugo yels jQjdh' ldka;d kdhsldjla ie,ls,a,g .; hq;= n,fõ.hla nj;a, Tjqkaf.a .eg`M j,g úi÷ï ,nd.ekSu msKsi Tjqka n,OdÍkag tfrysj ke`.S isák nj;a l=udßf.a l:dj ;=<ska u;la lr fohs'

24


Jzpr;ry;kpF ngz; xUtuhy; jLj;J epWj;jg;gl;l rl;lj;jpw;F

Gwk;ghd fhzp RtPfhpg;G – mk;ghe;Njhl;il

Fkhup mk;ghe;Njhl;il khtl;lj;jpd; me;juhntt vDk; Gju;fs; epiwe;j fhzpfisf;

nfhz;lnjhU fpuhkj;jpy; trpf;fpd;whs;. ,yq;ifapd; fpuhkg;Gwq;fspy; thOk; Vida ngz;fisg;

NghyNt ,tSk; tha;g;GfSk; Nghjpa jfty;fSk; fpilf;fhjnjhU epiyapy; mtSila

cupikfisAk; cupj;JfisAk; gw;wpa Fiwe;j tpopg;Gzu;itNa nfhz;ltshf ,Ue;J te;jhs;.

vt;thwhapDk; ,e;epiy mtis jhDk; jdJ rKjhaKk; khw;wk; ngw Ntz;Lk; vd fdT

fhz;gij epWj;jptpltpy;iy. MapDk;. mts; ,aw;ifapNyNa rw;W gae;j RghtKilatshfTk;

gpd;jq;fpatshfTk; ,Ue;jJld; tPl;il tpl;L ntspNa ePz;l J}uk; jdpNa gazk; nra;tjw;F

$l jaf;fk; fhl;LgtshfTk; ,Ue;jhs;. mts; nghyprhUf;F kpfTk; gae;jtshf ,Ue;j

Jld; xU NghJk; nghyp]; epiyaj;jpw;F nrd;wjpy;iy. mts; ghuk;gupakhf ngz;fs;

nfhz;bUf;ff;$ba vjpu;ghu;g;GfisNa nfhz;bUe;jJld; mjpfkhf jd;id tPl;Lf;Fs;NsNa

kl;Lg;gLj;jpf;nfhz;bUe;jNghjpYk; jdJ jpwd;fisAk; Mw;wy;fisAk; tsu;j;Jf;nfhs;Sk;

nghUl;L fw;Wf;nfhs;tjw;F MtYs;stshf ,Ue;jhs;.

MapDk;; mk;ghe;Njhl;il UFZ mgptpUj;jp kd;wk; (HRDF) vDk; mikg;gpy; xU mq;fkhf

mts; khWk;tiu mts; tho;e;j r%fk; mtSf;F vt;tpj re;ju;g;gq;fisAk; toq;ftpy;iy.

HRDF fs cj;jpNahfj;ju; xUtu; mtis mZfpaijaLj;J 2007 Mk; Mz;by; mts; HRDF

mikg;gpy; ,ize;Jnfhs;s rk;kjpj;jhs;. ,e;j jPu;khdk; cz;ikapNyNa mtSila

tho;f;ifia khw;Wfpd;wnjhU jPu;khdkhf mike;jJ. mjidaLj;J HRDF mikg;gpypUe;J ngw;w

gaw;rpfs; kw;Wk; tha;g;Gfs;> ntsp r%fj;Jld; gOFtjw;F mtSf;F fpilj;j re;ju;g;gq;fs;

Nghd;w midj;Jk; jdpg;gl;l uPjpapy; mtis khw;wj;jpw;F cs;shf;fpaJ kl;Lky;yhky; mtis

kl;Lg;gLj;jpitj;j jilf;fw;fis cilj;njwptjw;F rf;jpiaAk; ngw;Wj;je;jJ. mJ mts;

xU ngz; jiytpahf mtis khw;wp;f;nfhs;tjw;Fk; mjd;%yk; jhd; thOfpd;w rKjhaj;jpy;

khw;wj;ij nfhz;LtUtjw;Fk; mtSf;Fs;s cs;shu;e;j Mw;wy;fisAk; ngWkjpiaAk;

czur;nra;aTk; tpj;jpl;lJ. mtSf;F fpilj;j gapw;rpfs; %yk; rthy;fs; vOk;NghJ mjD}

lhf tha;g;Gfis ,dq;fhz;gjw;Fk; mtspd; rKjhak; Kfk;nfhLj;j ,d;dy;fSf;F jPu;Tfis

ngw;Wj;jUtjw;Fk; Njitahd KiwikfisAk; nrad;KiwfisAk; ,dq;fhz;gjw;Fk;

toptFj;jd. gy;NtW khtl;lq;fisr; Nru;e;j rKjhaq;fspdhy; Kfk;nfhLf;fg;gl;l nghJthd

tplak; ,Ue;jJ. mk;ghe;Njhl;il cs;spl;l gy;NtW ,lq;fspNy jhd;Njhd;wpj;jdkhfTk;

gyhj;fhukhfTk; fpuhkpa fhzpfis tu;j;jf kw;Wk; mgptpUj;jp eltbf;iffSf;fhf

ifg;gw;wpf;nfhs;Sjy; toikahf ,lk;ngWk; tplakhf ,Ue;jJ. ,;t;;tplaj;jpy; ePjpia

ngw;Wf;nfhs;tjw;fhf rKjhaq;fs; mbf;fb gzgyKk; mjpfhugyKk; nfhz;l murpay;

nraw;ghl;lhsu;fSld; Nkhjpf;nfhs;s Ntz;bapUe;jJ.

nrad;KiwAk; tpisTk;

rKjhaj;jpy; xU Mw;wy;tha;e;j ngz;jiytu; vd;w uPjpapy; Fkhup vt;thW jd;Dila

Jzpr;riyAk; vjpu;j;Jg; NghuhLk; jd;ikiaAk; mu;g;gzpg;igAk; ntspf;fhl;bdhs; vd;gij

gpd;tUk; rk;gtk; vLj;jpak;Gfpd;wJ. 2009 Mk; Mz;by; xU ehs; xU epyj;jpid rkg;gLj;Jk;

ve;jpukhdJ (Gy;Nlhru;) gy;NtW FLk;gq;fspdhy; gapu;r;nra;if nra;ag;gl;l taw;fhzpnahd;wpd;

Ntypia jfu;g;gjw;F Kaw;rpg;gij Fkhup fz;lhs;. ,e;j vjpu;ghuhj tplaj;ijf; fz;l mts;

,jid jfu;f;f Kaw;rpnra;jtu;fSld; vjpu;j;J epd;wJld; ,e;j taw;fhzpfis ehrkhf;Ftjw;F

mtu;fSf;Fs;s cupikiag; gw;wp Nfs;tpnaOg;gpdhs;.

xU cs;Su; murpay;thjp ,e;j 25 Vf;fu; new;fhzpiaAk; tpiynfhLj;J thq;fpAs;sjhf

mg;NghJ mtSf;F njuptpf;fg;gl;lJ. 25 tUlq;fshf xU rKjhaj;jpdhy; mDgtpj;J te;j

fhzpia Xh; murpay;thjp vt;thW tpiynfhLj;J thq;f KbAk; vd mts; Nfs;tp vOg;gpdhs;.

,jidaLj;J kPz;Lk; me;j Ntypia cilg;gjw;fhf me;j ve;jpuk; Kbf;fptplg;gl;lJ. Fkhup

jiuapy; gLj;J me;j ve;jpuk; nry;yNtz;ba ghijia ,ilkwpj;jhs;. MapDk; mjd; rhujp

25



ve;jpuj;ij epWj;jhky; mtis Nehf;fp nkJthf nrYj;jj; njhlq;fpdhd;. MapDk;> mts;

,d;dKk; mirahky; mg;gbNa ,Ue;jhs;. ,e;j rKjhaj;jpw;fhf ,e;j ,lj;jpNyNa ehd; vdJ

capiu tpLNtd; vd cWjpG‹z;ltshf mts; mirahJ ,Ue;jhs;. ve;jpuk; mts; mUNf xU

rpy mq;Fy ,ilntsptiu efu;e;jJ. MapDk; mts; mg;gbNa mirahky; ,Ue;jjdhy; ,e;j

Kaw;rp mtis efu;j;jhJ vd;W czu;e;jtu;fshf mtu;fs; me;j Kaw;rpia iftpl;L jpUk;gpr;

nrd;whu;fs;.

Fkhup mj;NjhL epd;Wtpltpy;iy. mts; 119 njhiyNgrp miog;G Clhf nghyprhUld;

njhlu;Gnfhz;L Kiwg;ghL nra;jhs;. MapDk; vt;tpj eltbf;iffSk; Nkw;nfhs;sg;gltpy;iy.

mjidaLj;J Kiwg;gbahdnjhU vOj;J%y Kiwg;ghLk; nra;ag;gl;lJ. mtSila ,e;j

Kiwg;ghL rk;ge;jkhf ve;jnthU nghyp]; cj;jpNahfj;jUk; nghUl;lhf fUjhjjpdhy;

mr;re;ju;g;gj;jpy; mts; Nkhrkhd njhe;juTfSf;F Kfk;nfhLj;jhs;. mjidaLj;J rKjhaj;jpd;

kw;iwa rpy cWg;gpdu;fspd; cjtpAld; Fwpg;gpl;lnjhU gykpf;f murpay;thjpapd; ftdj;jpw;F

,;t;tplak; nfhz;Ltug;gl;lJ. ,g;NghJ nghyprhu; ,jw;F ftdk; nrYj;Jtjw;F Muk;gpj;jhu;fs;.

nghyp]; epiya nghWg;gjpfhup rk;ge;jg;gl;l ,uz;L jug;gpdiuAk; nghyp]; epiyaj;jpw;F

mioj;J ,jid tprhupj;jijaLj;J fhzp rk;ge;jkhf mjpfhuKila gpuNjr nrayhsUila

ftdj;jpw;F ,t;tplak; nfhz;Ltug;gl;lJ.


rk;ge;jg;gl;l Mtzq;fis Muha;e;J ghu;;j;jNghJ Fwpg;gpl;l ,e;j cs;Su; murpay;thjpf;F

me;j 25 Vf;fu; KOf;fhzpapy; %d;W Vf;fu; fhzpf;F khj;jpuNk cupj;J ,Ue;jJ. MfNt vQ;rpa

22 Vf;fu; fhzpAk; Kd;diug; NghyNt gaph;r;nra;ifapy; <LgLtjw;F me;j rKjhaj;jpw;F

tpLtpf;fg;gl;lJ.

Fkhupf;F HRDF mikg;gpd; mwpKfk; fpilf;fhky; NghapUe;J mjidaLj;J mjD}lhf

gapw;rpak; tpopg;Gzu;Tk; fpilf;fhky; NghapUe;jhy; xU NghJk; Fkhup ,t;thwhdnjhU

Coy;kpf;f rf;jpf;F vjpuhf Jzpr;rYld; rthy;tpLtjw;F fdT$l fz;bUf;f khl;lhs;. MfNt>

mtSila tho;f;ifapy; Vw;gl;l kpf Kf;fpakhd khw;wk; ahnjdpy; HRDF mikg;Gld; Vw;gl;l

njhlu;G fhuzkhf mtSf;Fs; Vw;gl;l gupkhw;wKk; tYt+l;lYkhf ,Uf;fpd;wJ. mNjrkak;

rKjhaj;jpw;F Nritahw;Wk; nghUl;L ,t;thW fw;Wf;nfhz;l tplaq;fis mtspd; jiyikj;Jt

gjtpapd; Clhf gpuNahfpg;gjw;F Mw;wy; fpl;baikahFk;. fw;Wf;nfhs;tjw;F mts; vg;NghJk;

jahu; epiyapypUe;jJld; eltbf;if Nkw;nfhs;tjw;F mts; Kidg;GfisAk; Nkw;nfhz;lhs;.

mtis gupkhw;wj;jpw;F cl;gLj;Jtjw;F mtSf;F Mw;wy; fpl;baJ khj;jpuky;yhky;

mjpfhuj;jpw;F vjpuhf $l;lhf vOe;J epw;gjw;F mts; rKjhaj;jpd; kPJ nry;thf;F nrYj;jpdhs;.

ngz;jiytpfs; kw;iwatu;fspdhy; ftdj;jpw; nfhs;sg;gl Ntz;banjhU rf;jp vd;gijAk;

mtu;fs; jq;fSila gpur;rpidfSf;F jPu;T fhZk; nghUl;L mjpfhuj;jpw;F vjpuhf vOthu;fs;

vd;gijAk; Fkhupapd; fij vkf;F giwrhw;Wfpd;wJ.

26


Women Leaders Pioneering System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for Economic Empowerment Polonnaruwa Jatheen Athara Sahayogitha Sanwardhana Kamituwa (JSSK)

Context

The System of Rice Intensification (S.R.I.) a methodology developed in the late 1980s in Madagascar, aims at increasing the yield of rice. This system was introduced in Sri Lanka in 2000s as an alternative to conventional paddy cultivation and has proven to provide multiple benefits for paddy cultivation, including increased yield per hectare, substantial reduction in seed material and saving of water. The financial saving is accompanied by an improvement to the quality and fertility of the soil, by reducing runoff and improving its water retaining properties.

The Polonnaruwa District is largely agricultural and men are traditionally seen as key actors by holding positions in farmer associations and controlling resources. Women’s contribution to paddy cultivation and food production is overshadowed by the large scale farming practiced by men, which in most cases involve new technology, machinery and excessive chemical usage. Women lack access to resources such as land, markets and technology, which become a barrier to economic wellbeing and empowerment.

To promote women’s leadership and engagement in agriculture, in particular eco-friendly farming, JSSK began to identify women who they could support in promoting SRI. Women who were selected belonged to Sinhalese, Tamil and Indigenous communities. Some were head of households and marginalized due to their being widows, being of ‘lower caste’ or because they were alcoholics. All these women faced socio-economic and cultural discriminations.

Process and outcome

In 2003 a few women were selected to be trained in SRI paddy cultivation. JSSK facilitated SRI training with technical support from the Oxfam livelihood team. They were made aware of the environmental and resource benefits of the SRI method, trained in the technical aspects of farming and provided with seed paddy and other tools needed for cultivation. As members of JSSK village groups, these women also received numerous trainings on gender, violence against women, leadership, book keeping, environmentally friendly home gardening etc. They were therefore aware of their rights and entitlements and the need for challenging gender stereotypes that dictate what women can and cannot do. As members of JSSK these women received institutional support to pioneer a new and environmentally friendly method of paddy cultivation for greater economic empowerment.

Examples of crucial institutional support include how many women were provided loans by JSSK to redeem their paddy lands that were mortgaged. This enabled them to freely engage in paddy cultivation without being dependent on local merchants and middleman. JSSK continued providing organisational support till these women were able to reap a good return from their harvest. At present, in 2012, JSSK has been able to train over 100 farmers, 85 of which are women, farming approximately 69 acres. Because of the savings they receive through this alternative method of paddy cultivation, these women have sought to expand their fields and enhance their profitability.

The involvement of a key agricultural department, the Mahaweli Authority and Department of Agriculture ensures the sustainability of this initiative. These stakeholders have recognized these women leaders as contributing to the upliftment of the community and promotion of eco friendly farming. Six of the paddy fields run by women leaders are used as model paddy fields, and this model is replicated in the Mahaweli1 regions and in other villages in Polonnaruwa, Peletiyawa, Bimpokuna and Allayhala. These women leaders are recognized as role models and trainers in the SRI method.

1 The Mahaveli Authority oversees the administration of agricultural land within Districts.

27



Results and beyond

These women have exhibited qualities of self confidence, courage and dedication in confronting discriminatory social norms, practices and officials. Factors that have contributed to their individual empowerment have been consistent support within the group of women engaging in SRI, organisational assistance and guidance, and recognition by the family, community and other stakeholders.

Permanent houses have replaced temporary huts, women who were previously alcoholics are now dedicated women leaders, there is a significant increase of savings accounts being opened, and a substantial reduction of incidents of domestic violence due to increased awareness, confidence and economic independence.

28


wd¾Ól n,.ekaùula lrd SRI l%ufhka îQlaIu ù j.d ;laIKh& mqfrda.dó;ajh ÿka ldka;d kdhsldjka

fmdf<dkakrej

cd;Ska w;r iyfhda.s;d ixj¾Ok moku (JSSK)

ikao¾Nh

1980 oYlfha w.Nd.fhaoS uev.ialrfha j¾Okh lrk ,o iQlaIu ù j.dj fyj;a YS% kñka ye|skafjk fuu l%ufõoh, ù wiajekak jeälr .ekSu wruqKq lrk ,oaols' fuu l%uh 2000 oYlfhaoS Ys% ,xldjg y÷kajd fok ,oafoa idïm%odhsl ù j.djg úl,am l%uhla f,ih' tu.ska ù j.djg nyqúO m%;s,dN ,nd§ we;s nj m%;HË ù we;' tajd w;r" fylaghdrhlg ,efnk wiajekak jeäùu" wjYH lrk îc ie,lsh hq;= m%udKhlska wvqùu iy c, b;sßh i|yka l< yel' wd¾Ól jdishg wkqnoaOj mfiys c,h .,dhdu wvqlr, tys c,h r|jd .ekSfï .=Kdx. jeä ÈhqKq lr mfiys .=Kd;aulNdjh iy idrj;a nj jeäùuo isÿ flf¾'

fmdf<dkakrej Èia;s%lalh m%Odk jYfhka lDIsld¾ñl jk w;r iïm%odhsl f,i f.dú ixúOdk j, ;k;=re orñka iy iïm;a md,kh lrñka m%Odkj ls%hd lrkafka msßñkah' kj ;dlaIKh, hkaf;%damlrK, iy wêl ridhksl øjH Ndú;h we;=,;aj, msßñka úiska isÿlrk uyd mßudK j.d Ndú;hka ksid, ù j.dj iy wdydr ksIamdokh flfrys ldka;djkaf.a odhl;ajh ie`.ù we;' ldka;djka yg bvï, fj<|dfmd, iy ;dlaIKh jeks iïm;a flfrys m%fõYhla ke;s w;r, th wef.a wd¾Ól hymeje;aug iy n,.ekaùug ndOlhla ù we;'

ldka;d kdhl;ajh iy ldka;djka lDIsl¾ufha kshe,Su m%j¾Okh i|ydo, úfYaIfhka mßir ys;ldó j.dj m%j¾Okh i|ydo, cd;Ska w;r iyfhda.s;d ixj¾Ok moku Ys% j.dj i|yd iydh Èh yels ldka;djka y÷kd .eksu wdrïN lrk ,§' f;dard.;a ldka;dfjda isxy," øúv iy foaYSh m%cdjkag wh;a jQy' iuyre .Dy kdhsldjka jQ w;r jekaoUq nj ksid fyda wvq l=, j,g wh;a fyda u;amekaj,g weíneys ùu ksid fldka lsßug ,la jQ wh jQy' fuu ldka;dfjda iudc-wd¾Ól iy ixialD;sl fjkiafldg ie,lSï j,g uqyqK ÿka wh jQy'


2003 jif¾oS › ù j.d mqyqKqj i|yd ldka;djka lsysm fofkla f;dard .kakd ,§' cd;Ska w;r iyfhda.s;d ixj¾Ok moku u.ska Tlaia*Eï cSjfkdamdh lKavdhfï ;dlaIKsl iydh we;sj ›s% mqyqKqj i|yd myiqlï imhk ,§' ›s% l%ufha mdßißl iy iïm;a m%;s,dN .ek Tjqka oekqj;a lr, j.dfõ ;dlaIKsl wx.hka ms<sn| mqyqKQj ,nd§, j.dj i|yd wjYH îc ù iy wfkl=;a fuj,ïo imhk ,§' cd;Ska w;r iyfhda.s;d ixj¾Ok mokfï idudðlhska f,i fudjqka ia;S% mqreI iudcNdjh, ldka;djkag tfrys m%pKav;ajh, kdhl;ajh" fmd;a ;eîu" mßir ys;ldó f.j;= j.dj wdoS mqyqKq lsysmhlao ,nd ;snqKs' tneúka" TjqyQ ish whs;Ska iy ysñlï .eko, ldka;djkag l< yels iy l< fkdyels foa .ek wK lrk ia;S% mqreI iudcNdjfha taldldÍ iajNdjhka yg wNsfhda. lsÍfï wjYH;dj .eko oekqj;a ù isáhy' cd;Ska w;r iyfhda.s;d ixj¾Ok mokfuys idudðlhska f,i jvd;a hym;a wd¾Ól n,.ekaùula i|yd kj iy mßir ys;ldó ù j.d l%uhl mqfrda.dóka f,i lghq;= lsÍug fudjqka yg wdh;ksl iydh ,enqKs'

cd;Ska w;r iyfhda.s;d ixj¾Ok moku u.ska ,ndÿka ;SrKd;aul wdh;ksl iydh fln÷oehs fmkakqï lrKqfha Wlia lr ;snq ish l=Uqre bvï ksoyia lr .ekSu i|yd Kh ,ndÿka ldka;djka ixLHdj u.sks' fï fya;=fjka m%foaYfha fjf<kaòka iy w;rueÈhka u; fkdhemS ksoyfia ù j.dfõ kshe,Sug Tjqkag yelshdj WodjQKs' ish wiajekafkka hym;a M, ,nd.kakd ;=re fuu ldka;djka yg ixúOdkfha iydh fkdlvjd ,ndfok ,§' 2012 jir jkúg, cd;Ska w;r iyfhda.s;d ixj¾Ok moku u.ska f.dùka ishhlg jvd mqyqKq lr we;s w;r, fudjqkaf.ka 85 lau wlalr 69 la muK j.d lrk ldka;djkah' fuu úl,am ù j.d l%uh yryd Tjqkag ,efnk b;sßh ksid fuu ldka;djka ish l=Uqre ;jÿrg;a jHdma; lrf.k" ,dNodhS;ajh jeälr .ekSu .ek úuis,su;a ù we;'

29



lDIsl¾uhg iïnkaO m%Odk fomd¾;fïka;=jla jk uyje,s wêldßh iy lDIsl¾u fomd¾;fïka;=j fuu uq,a msÍug iïnkaOùu, tys ;sridr nj iy;sl lrhs' fuu md¾Yajlrejka úiska m%cdfõ wNsjDoaêhg odhljk iy mßir ys;ldó j.dj m%j¾Okh lrk wh f,i fuu ldka;d kdhsldjka y÷kd f.k we;' fuu ldka;d kdhsldjka j.d lrk l=Uqre 6 la wdo¾Y l=Uqre f,i Ndú;d flf¾' fuu wdo¾Ykh, uyje,s l,dmj,o1, fmdf,dkakrej, me,áhdj, ìïfmdl=K" we,af,ayer jeks .ïudk j,o wkq.ukh lrñka j.dj i|yd fhdod .efka' fuu ldka;d kdhsldjka Ys% l%ufha wdo¾Y pß; iy mqyqKqlrejka f,i ms<sf.k we;'

m%;sM, iy bka Tíng

fjkiafldg i,lk iudchSh m%;sudk, iudchSh Ndú;hka iy ks,Odßka yg wNsfhda. lsÍfï§ fuu ldka;djka úiska wd;au úYajdih, ffO¾Hhjka;lu iy lemùu jeks .=Kdx. m%lg f,i fmkajk ,oS' Tjqkaf.a mqoa.,sl n,.ekaùug odhl jQ idOlhla jQfha Ys% j.dfõ fhÿKq ldka;d lKavdhu ;=< ;snQ fkdief,k iydh, ixúOdkhsl iydh iy ud¾f.damfoaYh fukau, mjq,, m%cdj iy wfkl=;a md¾Yjlrejkaf.ka ,o ms<s.ekSuhs'

;djld,sl uvq fjkqjg, oeka iaÓr ksjdi we;' l,ska u;amekg weíneys ù isá ldka;djka oeka lemjqKq ldka;d kdhsldjkah' újD; jk b;=reï .sKqï ixLHdfjys iqúfYaIs j¾Okhla fmkakqï lrhs' oekqj;aùu, úYajdih iy wd¾Ól iajdëk;ajh jeäúu ksid .!yia: ysxik isoaëkaf.a ie,lsh hq;= wvqùula olakg we;'

1 uyje,s wêldßh u.ska Èia;s%lal ;=< lDIsld¾ñl bvï mßmd,kh wëËKh flf¾'

30


nghUshjhu tYT+l;lYf;fhf Rw;whly; Neakpf;f = (SRI) gapw;nra;ifapy; Kd;NdhbfshFk; ngz; jiytpfs; –

nghydWit

ney; cw;gj;jpia Jupjg;gLj;Jk; xU Kiwahf = gap;h;r;nra;if (SRI) 1980 Mz;Lfspd;

filrpg;gFjpapy; klf];fhupy; Muk;gpf;fg;;gl;lJ. ,J 2000 Mk; Mz;lstpy; ghuk;gupa new;gaph;r;

nra;iff;F khw;W Kiwahf mwpKfg;gLj;jg;gl;lJld; new;gaph;r;nra;iff;F gy;NtW

ed;ikfis ngw;Wj;jUtjw;F Mw;wy;kpf;fnjd epUgzkhfpaJ. ,e;j gaph;r;nra;if Kiw

Vf;fUf;fhd tpisr;riy mjpfupj;Jld; tpijf;fg;glNtz;ba tpij ney;ypd; mstpid

Fiwg;gjw;Fk; ePiu Nrkpg;gjw;Fk; toptFj;jJ. epjp Nrkpg;ghdJ ePu; ntWkNd tope;NjhLtij

Fiwj;J ePiu jf;fitj;Jf; nfhs;Sk; gz;gpid Kd;Ndw;Wtjpd; %yk; kz;zpd; tsk; kw;Wk;

juk; Mfpatw;wpid Nkk;gLj;JtJld; njhlu;Gilajhf ,Uf;fpd;wJ.

nghyd;dWit khtl;lk; ngUksT tptrhapfisf;nfhz;l khtl;lkhf ,Ug;gJld;

fkj;njhopyhsu; rq;fq;fspy; gjtpfis tfpj;jy; kw;Wk; tptrhak; rhu;e;j tsq;fis

fl;Lg;gLj;Jjy; Nghd;wtw;wpy; Mz;fNs ghuk;gupa uPjpahf gpujhd nraw;ghl;lhsu;fshf

nraw;gLfpd;wdu;. Gjpa njhopy;El;gj;ijAk; nghwpj; njhFjpfisAk; <LgLj;Jjy;> kpjkpQ;rpa

,uhrhad nghUl;fspd; ghtid Nghd;w ghupa mstpyhd fkj;njhopy; rhu;e;j eilKiwfspd;

%yk; new;gaph;nra;if kw;Wk; czT cw;gj;jp Mfpa tplaq;fspy; ngz;fspd; gq;fspg;G

Mz;fspdhy; ,Ul;lbg;Gr; nra;ag;gl;Ls;sJ. fhzp> re;ij tha;g;Gfs; kw;Wk; njhopy;El;gk; Nghd;w

tsq;fis mile;Jnfhs;Sk; tha;g;Gfs; ngz;fSf;F Fiwthf ,Ug;gjdhy; nghUsjhueyd;

kw;Wk; tYT+l;ly; Nghd;w tplaq;fspy; ngz;fSf;F ghupa jil Vw;gl;Ls;sJ.

ngz;fsp;d; jiyikj;Jtj;ijAk; mtu;fs; Fwpg;ghf #oy; Neakpf;f tptrhak; cs;spl;l

tptrha eltbf;ifis <LgLtijAk; Cf;Ftpf;Fk; nghUl;L JSSK = new;gaph;r;nra;ifapy;

<LgLtjw;F cjtp toq;fg;glf;$ba ngz;fis ,dq;fhz;gjw;F Muk;gpj;jJ. rpq;fs kw;Wk;

jkpo; cs;Su; rKjhaq;fisr; rhue;j ngz;fs; ,t;tplaj;jpy; njupTnra;ag;gl;ldu;. rpy ngz;fs;

FLk;gj; jiytpfshf ,Ue;jNghjpYk; mtu;fs; tpjitfshf> jho;e;j rhjpfisr; Nru;e;jtu;fshf

my;yJ kJghtidf;F mbikahdtu;fshf ,Ue;jjpdhy; Gwf;fzpf;fg;gl;lhu;fs;. ,e;j midj;J

ngz;fSk; r%f nghUsjhu kw;Wk; fyhr;rhu uPjpapyhd ghugl;lrq;fSf;F Kfk;nfhLj;jdu;.

nrad;KiwAk; ngWNgWk;

2003 Mk; Mz;L rpy ngz;fs; = new;gapu;r;nra;iff;fhf njupTnra;ag;gl;ldu;. JSSK mikg;G

xf;];ghk; epWtdj;jpd; tho;thjhu mzpAld; ,ize;J = gap;;w;nra;iff;fhd njhop;y;El;g

cjtpfis toq;fpaJ. = gapu;nra;if Kiwapd; Rw;whly; kw;Wk; ts uPjpapyhd ed;ikfs; gw;wp

tpopg;Gzu;T toq;fg;gl;lJld; ,f;fkj;njhop;y; Kiwapd; njhop;y;El;g uPjpapyhd tplaq;fisg;

gw;wp gapw;rpaspf;fg;gl;L gaph;r;nra;iff;F Njitahd cgfuzq;fSk; tpij ney;Yk;

toq;fg;gl;ld. JSSK mikg;gpd; fpuhkpa cWg;gpdu;fs; vd;w tifapy; ,e;j ngz;fs; ghy;epiyr;

rkj;Jtk;> r%f epiy> ngz;fSf;nfjpuhd td;Kiw> jiyikj;Jtk;> fzf;F Kiw> Rw;whly;

Neakpf;f tPl;Lj;Njhl;lk; Nghd;w tplaq;fspy; gapw;rpfisAk; ngw;wdu;. MfNt ,g;ngz;fs;

jq;fspd; cupikfisg; gw;wpAk; cupj;Jfisg; gw;wpAk; ngz;fshy; nra;af;$ba tplaq;fs; kw;Wk;

nra;aKbahj tplaq;fs; vd;W juk;gpupj;Jf; fhl;Lk; khwhepiyg;ghl;bw;F rthy; tpLtjw;fhd

NjitiaAk; mwpe;jpUf;fpd;whu;fs;. JSSK mikg;gpd; mq;fj;jtu;fs; vDk;tifapy; rpwe;jnjhU

nghUshjhu tYT+l;liy Nehf;fpajhf ,e;j ngz;fs; GjpaJk; Rw;whly; Neakpf;fJkhd new;

gaph;r;rpapid Kd;ndLj;Jr; nry;tjw;F xOq;fikg;G uPjpapyhd xj;Jiog;gpidg; ngw;wdu;;.

xOq;fikg;G uPjpapyhd kpfTk; Kf;fpaj;Jtk; tha;e;j xj;jhirfis Nehf;Fifapy;

JSSK mikg;gpdhy; vj;jid ngz;fSf;F jq;fSila mlkhdk; itf;fg;gl;l fhzpfis

kPl;Lf;nfhs;tjw;fhf flDjtpfs; toq;fg;gl;ld vd;gJk; cs;slf;fg;gLfpd;wJ. ,J cs;Su;

tpahghupfs; kw;Wk; ,ilj;jufu;fs; Nghd;wtu;fspy; jq;fpapUf;fhky; Rje;jpukhf jq;fSila

31



gapu;nra;ifia Nkw;nfhs;tjw;F ,tu;fSf;F ,lkspj;Js;sJ. JSSK ,e;j ngz;fs; jq;fSila

tpisr;rypUe;J ey;ynjhU tUkhdj;ij ngw;Wf;nfhs;Sk; tiu njhlu;r;rpahf cjtpfis

toq;fpte;jJ. 2012 Mk; Mz;by; JSSK mikg;G Rkhu; 65 Vf;fu; epyg;gug;gp;y; gaph;r;nra;ifapy;

<Lgl;l 100 tptrhapfSf;F gapw;rp toq;fpaJld; ,jpy; 85 Ngu; ngz;fshf ,Ue;jdu;. ,e;j khw;W

new;gapw;nra;if Kiwapd; %yk; mtu;fSf;F fpilj;j Nrkpg;gpd; fhuzkhf ,e;j ngz;fs;

jq;fSila gapu;epyq;fis tpupthf;fpaJld; mjD}lhf ,yhgj;ij mjpfupj;Jf;nfhz;ldu;. ,e;j

Kd;ndLg;Gfspd; epiyNgwhd jd;ikia cWjpg;gLj;Jtjw;F ,yq;ifapd; tptrhaj; Jiwapy;

xU Kf;fpakhd jpizf;fskhfpa tptrhaj; jpizf;fsKk; kfhtyp mjpfhurigAk; <Lgl;ld.

,e;j ngz;jiytpfs; rKjhaj;ij NkNyhq;fr; nra;tjw;Fk; Rw;whly; Neakpf;fnjhU gapw;nra;if

Kiwia Nkk;gLj;Jtjw;Fk; gq;fspg;G toq;Ffpd;wdu;; vd;gij ,e;j gq;fPLghl;lhsu;fs;

,dq;fz;L nfhz;ldu;. ngz;fspdhy; gaph;r;nra;if nra;ag;gl;l MW tay;fs; khjpup tay;fshf

gad;gLj;jg;gl;lJld; ,jd; rup;rkkhd gpujpfs; (cUt Neu;gb) kfhtyp gpuhe;jpaj;jpYk;

nghyd;dWit> ngyl;baht> gpk;nghf;Fd kw;Wk; my;yafy Nghd;w ,lq;fpYs;s fpuhkq;fspy;

mikf;fg;gl;L fhl;rpg;gLj;jg;gLfpd;wd. ,e;j ngz;jiytpfs; gaph;r;nra;if Kiwapd; Kd;khjpup

gaph;r;nra;ifahsu;fshTk; gapw;rpahsu;fshfTk; mq;fPfupf;fg;gl;Ls;sdu;.


,e;j ngz;fs; ghugl;rkhd r%f eilKiwfSf;Fk; tof;fhWfSf;Fk; mjpfhupfSf;Fk;

vjpuhf NghuhLtjw;F Raek;gpf;ifAk; Jzpr;riyAk; mu;g;gzpg;igAk; ntspf;fhl;;bdhu;fs;. =

gaph;r;nra;ifapy; <Lgl;Ls;s ngz;fSf;fpilapy; fhzg;gl;l ,ilawhj xj;Jiog;G> xOq;fikg;G

uPjpapyhd cjtpfs; kw;Wk; topfhl;ly;fs;> FLk;gq;fspypUe;Jk; rKjhaq;fspypUe;Jk; Vida

gq;fPLghl;lhsu;fspUe;Jk; fpilj;j mq;fPfhuk; Nghd;wit mtu;fspd; jdpg;gl;l tYt+l;lYf;F

gq;fspg;G toq;fpa fhuzpfshf ,Ue;J tUfpd;wd. jw;fhypf Fby;fSf;F gjpyhf epue;ju

tPLfs; mikf;fg;gl;lJld; Kd;du; kJghtidf;F mbikahfpUe;j ngz;jiytpfs; jw;NghJ

mug;gzpg;Gs;s ngz;fshf khwpapUf;fpd;whu;fs;. NkYk; jpwf;fg;gLfpd;w Nrkpg;G fzf;Ffspd;

vz;zpf;if mjpfupf;fpd;wd. NkNyhq;fpAs;s ek;gpf;if> nghUshjhu RahjPdk; kw;Wk; tpopg;Gzu;T

fhuzkhf tPl;L td;Kiwfs; fzprdkhdsT Fiwe;jpUf;fpd;wd.

32


A Journey of TransformationKomariSocial Development Foundation (SDF)

Context

Charlet was a woman who worked hard looking after her husband and two young children. Their home was not very different to several others in Komari, in which the bane of alcoholism had raised its ugly head. Alcohol usage in Komari village was a social menace which affected all sections of society, the young and the old, the rich and the poor, affecting the social fabric in multiple ways both directly and indirectly. Charlet was raised with the qualities that women were expected to have - endurance, resilience and acceptance. She was committed to raising her children the best way she knew how, in the face of challenges and hardships that came their way. This is why for several years she endured the abuse meted out by her husband who was an alcoholic and who would under the influence would subject her to physical, verbal and psychological abuse. For all these years, she would accept these abuses as part of the karma she had to face in this lifetime.

Process and outcome

In 2003, upon being approached by a field officer, Charlet decided to join the Community Based Organisation, Social Development Foundation as a group member – a decision that would change her life forever. She learned then that women too have rights and that men and women are equal. These were revelations for her and gave her the insight, strength and self-confidence to forge ahead in this journey of learning and empowerment. She took part in group discussions and trainings and the field officer would continue to visit and speak to her one-on-one, providing her the encouragement she needed. Throughout this process her husband’s attitude gradually changed as he understood the value of this change for their economic stability and well-being of their family.

In 2006, she became a member of the sub committee and later went on to serve in the Central Committee for two years. She was continuously trained in gender, leadership and home gardening. She would host meetings in her house. With the home garden training knowledge she received, she was able to create a “Model Farm” at her home, and continuously improved this to become a model of income generation for her family. Since she was interested in home gardening she went to Ampara and Batticoloa and received further training in home gardening. Now she has expanded her home garden and earns atleast 5,000/- rupees per month. She uses this income to fix the doors , windows and has been able to build a well in her garden. Through her home garden, she produces seeds and sells them in “peace markets or peace fairs” where women and men from all communities come together to sell their produce.

Results and beyond

At an individual level, Charlet’s change is in becoming aware of her rights and opportunities, skill development and most importantly the courage and commitment to bring about change within her family unit. In the sphere of home gardening, not only has she excelled in her endeavours, she has also become a change agent, in travelling to other neighbouring villages and training other women like herself in home gardening. Charlet is a remarkable woman with an inspiring story and she continues to work hard for the betterment of her family. She is a true woman leader who has undergone a transformational change in her lifetime and will continue teaching her children, as a living example.

33



mßj¾;kd;aul .uka uÕla

fldaudß

iudc ixj¾Ok moku (SDF)

ikao¾Nh

pd,Ü ish ieñhd iy orefofokd /ln,d.ekSug oeä fjfyilska lghq;= l< ldka;djls' îu;alfï úkdYh oreKq f,i ysi tijQ fldaudß kï .u ;=< , wef.a ksjio wka fndfyda tajdg fkdfjkia úh' fldaudß .u ;=< ue;ameka Ndú;h" ;reK fukau jhia.; wh w;ro, Okj;a iy ÿmam;a fNaohlska f;drj iudcfha ish`M fldgia j,g iDcqj yd jl%j úúO wkaoñka iudc cd,hgu n,mE iudc úkhla úh' pd,Ü" ldka;djkaf.ka wfmaËd lrk bjiSu, ord.ekSfï Yla;sh iy Ndr .ekSu jeks .=Kdx. iys;j yeÿKq jevqKq ;eke;A;shlA jQjdh' TjQka bÈßfha meñKs ish,q wNsfhda. iy wudrelï yuQfõ ish orejka ;ud okakd fyd|u whQßka yod jvd .ekSug weh lemjQjdh' fï ksidu, jir .Kkdjla ;=< weh ish îu;a ieñhdf.ka meñKs wmjdoh o, Tyqf.ka îu;aj isá úg weh fj; t,a, jQ YdÍßl, jdÑl fukau udkisl wmjdo o bjiqjdh' fï ish,a, È.= ld,hla ;=< weh Ndr.;af;a, tajd wef.a Ôú; ld,h we;s ;dlA uqyqK Èh hq;= l¾ufha fldgila f,ih'

ls%hdj,sh iy m%;s,dN

2003 jif¾oS weh fj; meñKS fË;% ks,Odß;=ful=f.a b,a,Su mßÈ m%cd uQ, ixúOdkhla jQ iudc ixj¾Ok mokfuys lKavdhï idudðldjla f,i ne|Sug pd,Ü ;SrKh l<dh' fuu ;SrKh wehf.a uq¿ ðú;hu ioygu fjkia lsÍug iu;aúh' ldka;djka yg o whs;Ska we;s nj;a, ldka;djka iy msßñka iu nj;a" weh jgyd .;a;dh' fïjd wehg kj fy<sorõjka úh' tu`.ska weh yg bf.kSfï iy n,.ekaùfï .ufkys iaÓrj bÈßhg hdug wjYH o¾Ykh, Yla;sh iy wd;au úYajdih ,ndÿks' weh lKavdhï idlÉPd iy mqyqKq j,g iyNd.s jQjdh' fË;% ks,Odßksho ksr;=rej weh neyeoelSug meñK weh iu. l:d lrñka wehg wjYH wkqn, §u ,nd ÿkakdh' fuu ls%hdj,sh ;=< wehf.a ieñhdo TjQkaf.a wd¾Ól ia:djr;ajh iy mjqf,ys hy meje;au flfrys fuu fjkiaùfuys w.h f;areï f.k, l%ufhka Tyqf.a wdl,am fjkia lr .;af;ah'

2006 jif¾oS weh Wm lñgq idudðldjla njg m;aù, miqj uOHu lñgqfjys jir folla fiajh l<dh' wehg ksr;=rej, ia;S% mqreI iudcNdjh, kdhl;ajh iy f.j;= j.dj .ek mqyqKq ,ndfok ,§' wef.a ksjfiys /iaùï meje;aùug weh bÈßm;a jQjdh' f.j;= j.d mqyqKqfjka ,nd.;a oekqu wkqj wef.a ksjfiys “wdo¾Y f.dúm,la” ks¾udKh lsÍug wehg yelsjQ w;r, th wef.a mjq,g wdodhï W;amdok wdo¾Ykhla njg m;a lsßu i|yd ksr;=reju th jeä ÈhqKq l<dh' weh f.j;= j.dj .ek Wkkaÿjla oelajQ ksid" wïmdr iy uvl,mqjg f.dia f.j;= j.dj .ek jeäÿr mqyqKq ,nd.;a;dh' fï jkúg wef.a f.j;af;ys j.dj ÈhqKq lr uilg wvqu jYfhka remsh,a 5000 l muK wdodhula ,nkakSh' wef.a f.j;= j.dj ;=<ska îc ksIamdokh lr" iEu m%cdjlu ldka;djka iy msßñka meñK ish ksIamdok wf,ú lrk “idu fj<|fmd, fyda idu fmd<j,a” j, tAjd wf,ú lrkakSh'

m%;sM, iy bka Tíng

mqoa.,sl uÜgñka ie,l+ úg, pd,Üf.a fjkiaùu ù we;af;a, ish whs;Ska iy wjia:d .ek oekqj;aùu, l=i,;d j¾Okh iy b;du;a jeo.;a f,i ish mjq,a tallh ;=< fjkila lsÍug weh ;=< ;snq ffO¾hh iy lemùuhs' f.j;= j.d úIhh .;a l< wef.a W;aiydhka ;=< mßK; jQjd muKla fkdj, wi,ajeis .ïudk j,g f.dia weh fuka wfkl=;a ldka;djka yg f.j;= j.d mqyqKq ,ndoS, fjkiaùfï ksfhdað;fhla njg m;ajQjdh' pd,Ü hkq wka whg fm<Uùï lsÍug yels wmQ¾j ldka;djla jk w;r, weh ksr;=reju ish mjQf,ys ÈhqKqj ;ld oeäfia fjfyiS jev lrk ldka;djls' weh ish Ôú; ld,h ;=< fjkiaùulg Ndckh jQ i;H ldka;d kdhsldjla fukau" iÔú wdo¾Ykhla f,i ish orejka yg b.ekaùu ksr;=reju lrf.k hkakSh'

34


xU epiykhw;wkile;j gazk; – Nfhkhup

#oikT

rhu;sl; kpfTk; fLikahf cioj;J jd;Dila fztidAk; ,uz;L ,sk; gps;isfisAk;

guhkupj;J te;jnjhU ngz; Mthu;. NfhkhupapypUe;j mtspd; tPL mq;fpUe;j Vida tPLfis tpl

Fwpg;gpl;Lr; nrhy;Ykstpw;F tpj;jpahrkhdnjhU tPlhf ,Uf;ftpy;iynad;gJld; kJghdk; vDk;

er;R mtu;fSila tPLfspYk; jdJ Nfhukhd cUtj;ij ntspf;fhl;bf;nfhz;Ljhd; ,Ue;jJ.

Nfhkhup fpuhkj;jpy; kJghtid xU r%f nfLjpahf cUntLj;J te;jJld; ,sk; guhaj;jpdh;

my;yJ taJ te;jtu;fs; vd;Nwh gzk; gilj;jtu;fs; my;yJ Viofs; vd;Nwh Ngjkpd;wp

r%fj;jpd; midj;J gFjpapdiuAk; mJ ghjpj;J te;jJ. xU ngz;Zf;F ve;j khjpupahd Fzk;

,Uf;fNtz;Lnkd vjpu;ghu;f;fg;gLfpd;wNjh mjw;Nfw;whw; NghyNt nghWik> rfpg;Gj;jd;ik>

Vw;Wf;nfhs;Sk; jd;ik Nghd;w Fzhk;rq;fs; epiwe;jtshfNt rhu;sl; tsu;f;fg;gl;lhs;. rhu;sl;

vd;djhd; rthy;fSk; f~;lq;fSk; te;jhYk; Foe;ijfis tsu;g;gjw;F kpfr; rpwe;j Kiwnad

mts; vjid epidj;jhNsh mjw;Nfw;gNt jdJ gps;isfis kpfTk; mug;gzpg;Gld; tsu;j;J

te;jhs;. ,jd; fhukhzfNt mts; kJNghijf;F mbikahfp jdJ fztdhy; mt;tg;NghJ

cly; uPjpahfTk; cs uPjpahfTk; thu;j;ijfshYk; Jd;GWj;jg;gl;lNghJ mtw;iwnay;yhk;;

nghUl;gLj;jhJ nghWikfhj;J tho;e;J te;jhs;. MfNt> mJ mts; ,g;gpwtpapy; Kfk;nfhLf;f

Ntz;ba jiytpjp vd;W epidj;Jf;nfhz;L ,e;j KOf;fhyj;ijAk; fopj;J te;jhs;.

nrad;KiwfSk; ngWNgWfSk;

2003 Mk; Mz;L xU fs cj;jpNahfj;ju; mtis re;jpj;J tpgupj;ijaLj;J rhu;sl; r%f mgptpUj;jp

kd;wkhfpa xU r%f mbg;gilapyhd epWtdnkhd;wp;y; mq;fj;jtuhfr; rk;kjpj;jhs;. ,J mtspd;

tho;f;ifia Kw;wpYk; khw;wpaikj;jJ. mjidaLj;J mts; ngz;fSf;Fk; Mz;fisg; NghyNt

rk cupikfs; cz;L vd;gijAk; MZk; ngz;Zk; rkkhdtu;fs; vd;gijAk; mwpe;Jnfhz;lhs;.

,J mts; fz;lwpe;Jnfhz;l tplaq;fshf ,Ue;jJld; mJ mtSf;F fw;Wf;nfhs;tjw;Fk;

tYT‹l;bf;nfhs;tjw;Fkhd ghijapy; gazk; nra;tjw;F Ez;zwptpidAk; typikiaAk; Ra

ek;gpf;ifiaAk; Vw;gLj;jpaJ.

mts; FO fye;Jiuahly;fspYk; gapw;rpfspYk; gq;Fgw;wpaJld; fs cj;jpNahfj;ju;

mtis re;jpj;J Neubahf ciuahLtJld; %yk; mtSf;F Njitahd Cf;fKk; toq;fg;gl;lJ.

mtu;fspd; FLk;gj;jpd; eyDf;fhTk; nghUshjhu ed;ikf;fhfTk; ,e;j khw;wk; Kf;fpakhdnjd

Gupe;Jnfhz;lijaLj;J fhyg;Nghf;fpy; mtspd; fztdpd; kdg;ghq;fpYk; nky;y nky;y khw;wk;

Vw;gl Muk;gpj;jJ.

2006 Mk; Mz;L mts; xU fpuhk kl;lf; FOtpy; jiytpahdJld; gpd;du; ,uz;L tUlq;fSf;F

kj;jpa FOtpy; gzpahw;Wtjw;fhf nrd;whs;. mtSf;F njhlu;;r;rpahf ghy;epiyr; rkj;Jtk;>

jiyikj;Jtk; kw;Wk; tPl;Lj; Njhl;lk; Mfpa tplaq;fspy; gapw;rp toq;fg;gl;lJ> mts;

jdJ tPl;bNy $l;lq;fis elhj;Jtjw;F trjpaspj;jhs;. mtSf;F fpilj;j tPlLj; Njhl;l

gaw;rpapypUe;J mtSila tPl;by; xU khjpupg;gz;izia mikg;gjw;F mtSf;F Kbe;jJld;

mtSila FLk;gj;jpw;F tUkhdj;ij <l;bj;jUfpd;wnjhU Kiwahf mjid khw;Wtjw;F mts;

njhlu;r;rpahf ghLgl;lhs;. mts; tPl;Lj; Njhl;lk; gw;wp mjpf Mu;tKilatshf ,Ue;jjpdhy;

mk;ghiw kw;Wk; kl;lf;fsg;G Nghd;w ,lq;fSf;Fr; nrd;W Nkyjpf gapw;rpiaAk; ngw;whs;.

jw;NghJ mts; mtSila tPl;Lj; Njhl;lj;ij tpupthf;fpAs;sJld; xU khjj;jpw;F mz;zsthf

5>000 &gha; tUkhdkhf <l;Lfpd;whs;. mts; ,e;j gzj;ij mtSila tPl;by; fjTfisAk;

ad;dy;fisAk; nghUj;Jtjw;F gad;gLj;JtJld; mtSila Njhl;lj;jpy; xU fpzw;iwAk;

fl;Ltjw;F Mw;wy; ngw;Ws;shs;. mtSila tPl;Lj; Njhl;lj;jpd; %ykhf mts; tpijfis

cw;gj;jpnra;J midj;J ,dq;fisAk; Nru;e;j Mz;fSk; ngz;fSk; mtu;fspd; cw;gj;jpfis

tpw;gid nra;tjw;F tUif jUfpd;w rkhjhd filfspy; my;yJ rkhjhd re;ijfspy; tpw;gid

nra;ths;.

35




jdpegu; kl;lj;jpy; rhu;sl; mtSila cupikfs;> tha;g;Gfs; kw;Wk; jpwd;tpUj;jp gw;wp

mwpe;Jnfhz;likAk; mjid tpl khw;wnkhd;iw nfhz;LtUtjw;fhf mts; nfhz;bUe;j

Jzpr;rYk; mu;g;gzpg;Gk; mtSf;Fs;Sk; mtspd; FLk;gj;Jf;Fs;Sk; khw;wj;ijf; nfhz;Lte;jJ.

tPl;Lj; Njhl;lk; vDk; Jiwiag; nghUj;jkl;by; mts; mtspd; tplhKaw;rpapy; ntw;wpfz;lJ

khj;jpukd;wp maypYs;s kw;iwa fpuhkq;fSf;F nrd;W kw;iwa ngz;fSf;Fk; tPl;Lj;Njhl;lk;

gw;wp gapw;rpaspg;gjd; %yk; khw;wj;ijf; nfhz;LtUk; fhuzpahf khwpapUf;fpd;whs;.

rhu;sl; mfj;J}z;liy Vw;gLj;Jk; xU fijiaf; nfhz;l Fwpg;gplj;jf;fnjhU ngz;zhf

,Ug;gJld; mtspd; FLk;gj;jpw;fhf ,ilawhJ ghLgLfpd;wnjhU ngz;Zkhf ,Uf;fpd;whs;.

mts; gupkhw;wj;jpw;F cs;shfpa xU cz;ikahd ngz; jiytpahf ,Ug;gJld; jd;Dila

gps;isfSf;F njhlu;;r;rpahf gbg;gpf;fpd;w rpwe;j vLj;Jf;fhl;lhfTk; jpfo;fpd;whs;.

36


Weekly Markets a platform for Women’s Economic EmpowermentAmparaFoundation for Rural Empowerment and Development (FRED)

Context

A small community group referred to as Saman Kandayama in Deegavapiya, a village in Digamadulla, Ampara, comprises a host of courageous, committed and innovative women leaders – Premalatha, Gunarathne Menike, Mala, Mangalika, Somalatha and Jayaweerani, to name a few. Several of these women who eked out a living earning daily wages were barely able to make ends meet. 55 year old Premalatha, who takes care of an ailing husband of 79 years and a daughter who is persistently ill, is a model leader who emerged amidst much adversity.

Process and outcomes

The community organisation FRED, of which these women were all members, led the way to the economic upliftment and personality development of these women. They were educated on women’s rights and entitlements, provided insight, strength and self-confidence to forge ahead even amidst challenges. The group discussions, one on one discussions and trainings were held on an ongoing basis, catered to their needs.

Through this process, these women were provided with the knowledge and skills to make them informed and independent women leaders which also helped them enhance their capacity for engaging in income generating activities. The production and sale of produce gradually scaled up from selling within their own village, to supplying other villages and finally being able to sell their produce in the Ampara public market. These leaders collectively developed a proposal to establish a local market, in their own village – and suggested this to the village committees. After a series of discussions and planning meetings, and obtaining support and buy-in from the local people, this was implemented.

Starting on a small scale, the pola or local market gradually expanded with the help of a continuously increasing supply and demand base. It was due to the sheer vision and dedication of these women leaders that this was made possible in the first instance, and led to its success. This was also a clear reflection of the unity among these members and the value of collective action towards achieving a defined goal. This market provided multiple opportunities for economic upliftment, unity among ethnic groups and generally contributed to enhancing social cohesion in the community. These members were now able to make a significant contribution to the household income and were even able to save, which they were unable to do in the past.

Results and beyond

At an individual level, Premalatha’s journey in becoming aware of her rights and opportunities, acquiring skills for her personal development and most importantly her courage and commitment significantly helped to bring about change at a community level. In the sphere of skills development in home gardening, all those members who were involved have excelled and have been able to reap the benefits of the time and effort invested by them, mainly due to the availability of demand created through the pola. The main contributory factor towards this change is the vision and commitment on the part of the women leaders involved, and the recognition of these members by the community as agents of change. It is proposed to continuously improve and expand the weekly pola.

37



i;sfmd,( ldka;djkag wd¾Ól n,.ekaùula ,nd§fï ixêia:dkhla f,i

wïmdr

È.duvq,a, .eñ Yla;s moku (FRED)

ikao¾Nh

wïmdr, È.duvq,af,ys .ïudkhla jQ È>jdmsfhys" iuka lKavdhu kñka ye|skafjk l=vd m%cd lKavdhuls' ks¾NS;, lemjqKq iy w`M;a foa w;ayod n,k ldka;d kdhlhska iuQyhlska fuu lKavdhu iukaú; fõ' fm%au,;d, .=Kr;ak ueKsfla" ud,d" ux.,sld" fidau,;d iy ðjrdks ñka iuyfrls' fuu ldka;djka fndfyda fofkla Ôj;aùug lsisfia;a m%udKj;a fkdjQ wkaoñka ffoksl Y%uh jehlsÍfuka wdodhula ,nd.;a wh jQy' wjqreÿ 55 la jhie;s fm%au,;d, wjqreÿ 79 la jhie;s ieñhdjo" ksrka;rfhka frda.S jk ish ÈhKsho /ln,d.kakdjQ, fndfyda úm;a uOHfhys ke`.S isá kdhl;ajfha wdo¾Ykhls'

ls%hdj,sh iy m%;sM,

fuu ldka;djka idudðl;ajh oerE È.duvq,a, .eñ Yla;s moku m%cd ixúOdkh Tjqkaf.a wd¾Ól wNsjDoaêh iy fm!reI;ajh j¾Okh lsÍfuys,d u`. mdod ÿkafkah' ldka;djkaf.a whs;Ska iy ysñlï .ek wOHdmkh ,nd§, wNsfhda. yuQfõ jqjo iaÓr is;ska bÈßhg hdug wjYH úksúo olakd {dkh, Yla;sh iy wd;au úYajdih ,nd ÿkafkah' È.=ld,Sk mokulska isÿl, lKavdhï idlÉPd, tal mqoa., idlÉPd iy mqyqKq u.ska TjQkaf.a wjYH;d imqrd,k ,§' fuu ls%hdj,sh yryd TjQkag oek W.;a iy iajdëk ldka;d kdhsldjka ùug wjYH oekqu iy l=i,;d ,ndÿka w;r, th Tjqkag wdodhï W;amdok ls%hdj,shkays ksr; ùug TjQkaf.a yelshdjka jeä ÈhqKq lr .ekSugo WmldÍ úh' TjQkaf.au .u ;=< Tjqkaf.a ksIamdokh iy wf,úh jeä ÈhqKq lr.;a miq, wka .ïudk j,go imhd wjidkfhaÈ wïmdr fmdÿ fj<| fmdf,ys úlsKSugo Tjqkag yelsúh' fuu kdhsldjka úiska Tjqkaf.au .fuys m%dfoaYSh fj<|fmd,la ia:dms; lsÍug fhdackd m;%hla iduQyslj ks¾udKh lr, th .%dóh lñgq j,g fhdackd lrk ,§' idlÉPd iy ie,iqïlrK /iúSï ud,djlska miq m%foaYfha ck;djf.a iydh iy leue;a; wkqj th ls%hd;aul úh'

iq`Mfjka wdrïN l< fuu fmd< fyj;a m%dfoaYsh fj<|fmd,, ksrka;fhka jeä jQ b,a,qu iy iemhqfï moku u; l%ufhka j¾Okh úh' uQ,slju, fuh isÿ lsßug iy id¾:l lr.ekSug yelsjQfha fuu ldka;d kdhsldjkaf.a yqÿ oelau iy lemùu ksidh' tfukau th fuu idudðlhska w;r ;snQ tluq;=lu iy ksYaÑ; wruqKla bgqlr .ekSu flfrys iduQysl ls%hdjl w.h meyeÈ<sj úoyd mdkakla úh'

fuu fj<|fmd, wd¾Ól wNsjDoaêh iy ckjd¾.sl lKavdhï w;r tluq;=lu i|yd nyqúO wjia:d imhd, m%cdj ;=< iudc taldnoaO;dj j¾Okh lsÍu flfrys idudkHfhka odhl úh' fuu idudðldjka yg ish .Dyia: wdodhug iqúfYaIs odhl;ajhla ,ndoSug yels jQjd fukau" óg fmr yels fkdjq wkaoñka b;=reï lsÍug mjd yelsúh'

m%;sM, iy bka Tíng

mqoa.,sl uÜgñka ie<l+ úg, ish whs;Ska iy wjia:d .ek oekqj;a fjñka, wef.a mqoa.,sl j¾Okh i|yd l=i,;d ,nd.ksñka" úfYaIfhkau wef.a ffO¾hh iy lemùu ;=< isÿjQ fm%au,;df.a .uk" m%cdj uÜgñka fjkila lsÍug iqúfYaISj WmldÍ úh' f.j;= j.dj ms<sn|j ,o l=i,;d j¾Okh .ek i<lk úg fuys ksr; jq ish,qu idudðldjka yg olaI f,i Tjqka fjkqfjka jeh l< ld,fha iy W;aidyfha m%;s,dN ,nd.ekSug yels ù we;af;a, fmd< yryd ks¾udKh jQ b,a,qula mej;Su ksidh' fuu fjki flfrys m%Odk f,i odhl jQ idOlh jkafka fuhg iyNd.S jQ ldka;d kdhsldjkaf.a oelau iy lemúu;a, fjkiaùfï ksfhdað;hska f,i m%cdj úiska fuu idudðldjka ms<s.ekSu;ah' fuu i;sfmd< ksr;=reju jeä ÈhqKq lr mq`M,a lsÍug fhdackd flf¾'

38


thuhe;j re;ij ngz;fspd; nghUshjhu tYt+l;lYf;F

xU mbg;gilahFk; – mk;ghiw

#oikT

mk;ghiw> jpfhkLs;s gpuNjrj;jpYs;s jPfthgpa vDk; xU fpuhkj;jpy; rkd; fz;lhak vDk;

miof;fg;gLfpd;w xU rpwpa rKjha FO Jzpr;rYk; mug;gzpg;Gk; Gj;jhf;f rpe;jidAk;

nfhz;lJkhd ngz;jiytpfisf; nfhz;lnjhU FOthf jpfo;e;jJ. ,e;j ngz;fspy; gyu;

ehshe;j $ypiag; ngw;W jq;fsJ tho;f;ifia elhj;jp te;jhu;fs;. ,t;thwhd rpukq;fSf;F

kj;jpapy; tho;e;Jte;j ngz;fs; kj;jpapy; 55 taJ epiwe;j gpNukyjh jdJ RfaPdkhd 79

taJila fztidAk; njhlu;r;rpahf RftPdkile;j epiyapYs;s kfisAk; guhkupj;J te;jhs;.

nrad;KiwAk; ngWNgWfSk;

,e;j ngz;fs; mq;fj;jtu;fshf ,Ue;j FRED vDk; rKjha xOq;fikg;G ,e;j ngz;fspd;

nghUshjhu cau;Tf;fhfTk; jdpegu; mgptpUj;jpf;fhfTk; topfhl;baJ. ,tu;fSf;F ngz;fs;

cupikfs;. cupj;Jilaitfs; Mfpaitg; gw;wp mwpT‹l;b rthy;fSf;F kj;jpapYk; Kd;Ndhf;fp

gazpg;gjw;fhd Ez;zwpT> gyk;> kw;Wk; jd;dk;gpf;ifia Mfpatw;iw Cl;baJ. mtu;fspd;

Njitf;Nfw;whw; Nghy; FO fye;Jiuahly;fs;> jdpj;jdpahd fye;Jiuahly;fs; kw;Wk;

gapw;rpfs; Mfpait njhlu;r;rpahd Kiwapy; Kd;ndLf;fg;gl;ld.

,e;j nrad;Kiwapd; Clhf ,e;j ngz;fis tpopg;Gzu;Tk; RahjPdKk; cila

ngz;jiytpfshf khw;Wtjw;F mwpTk; jpwd;fSk; toq;fg;gl;lJld; ,J mtu;fs; tUkhdk;

<l;lf;$ba nraw;ghLfspy; <LgLtjw;F mtu;fspd; Mw;wy;fis tpUj;jpnra;jJ. nghUl;fspd;

cw;gj;jp kw;Wk; tpw;gid Mfpad fpukkhf cau;tile;jJld; ,t;tpw;gid eltbf;iffs;

jq;fsJ nrhe;j fpuhkj;jpy; Muk;gpj;J kw;iwa fpuhkq;fSf;Fk; mjidaLj;J mk;ghiw khtl;l

nghJr;re;ij tiuapYk; nrd;wJ. ,e;j jiytpfs; jq;fsJ nrhe;j fpuhkj;jpy; xU cs;Su;

re;ijia ];jhgpg;gjw;F $l;lhf jpl;lnkhd;iw cUthf;fpaJld; ,jid fpuhkf; FOf;fSf;F

Fwpj;Jiuj;jdH. gy fye;Jiuahly;fisAk; jpl;lkply; $l;lq;fisAk; mLj;J cs;Su; kf;fspd;

cjtpfisAk; ngw;W ,g;gpNuuiz mKy;gLj;jg;gl;lJ.

rpwpjhf Muk;gpj;j ,e;j cs;Su; re;ij njhlu;;r;rpahf mjpfupj;j Nfs;tp kw;Wk; epuk;gy;

fhuzkhf gbg;gbahf tpuptile;jJ. ,g;gbahdnjhU ntw;wpfukhd jpl;lk; ,e;j ngz;fspd;

njhiyNehf;F kw;Wk; mu;g;gzpg;gpd; fhuzkhf Kjw; fl;lj;jpy; rhj;jpakhfpaJld;

mjidaLj;J ntw;wpfukhdnjhU Kaw;rpahfTk; gupzkpj;jJ. ,J ,e;j mq;fj;jtu;fspilNa

fhzg;gl;l xw;WikiaAk;; cWjpahdnjhU ,yf;fpid mile;Jnfhs;tij Nehf;fpa $l;L

nraw;ghnlhd;wpd; ngWkjpiaAk; ntspf;fhl;Lk; milahskhfTk; ,Ue;jJ. ,e;j re;ij

nghUshjhu Kd;Ndw;wj;jpw;Fk; ,df; FOkq;fSf;fpilNa xw;Wikia Xq;fr;nra;tjw;Fk;

gy;tifahd tha;g;Gfis Njhw;Wtpj;jJld; rKjhaj;jp;y; kf;fspilNa r%f gpizg;gigAk;

Vw;gLj;Jtjw;Fk;; tha;g;gspj;jJ. ,e;j cWg;gpdu;fSf;F jw;NghJ jq;fSila FLk;g

tUkhzj;jpw;F fzprkhdnjhU gq;fspg;ig toq;fKbAnkd;gJld; mtu;fSf;F fle;j fhyj;jpy;

rhj;jpakpy;yhky; Nghdijg; Nghyd;wp jw;NghJ gzj;ij Nrkpf;fTk; $bajhf ,Uf;fpd;wJ.


xU jdpegu; kl;lj;jpy; gpNukyjhtpd; gazj;jpy; mtSf;Fs;s cupikfs;> tha;g;Gfs;> mtspd;

jdpg;gl;l Kd;Ndw;wj;jpw;fhf jpwd;fis Njb mile;Jnfhs;Sjy; kw;Wk; Fwpg;ghf mtspd;

Jzpr;rYk; mu;g;gzpg;Gk; rKjha kl;lj;jp;y; xU khw;wj;ijf; nfhz;LtUtjw;F ngUksT

gq;fspg;G nra;Js;sJ. tPl;Lj; Njhl;lk; rhu;e;j jpwd;tpUj;jpia nghWj;jkl;by; ,t;tplaj;jpy;

<Lgl;l midj;J ngz;fSk; ntw;wpaile;Js;sJld; xd;wpide;J cUthf;fpa cs;Su;r;re;ij

39



%ykhf Njhw;Wtpf;fg;l;l nghUl;fSf;fhd Nfs;tp my;yJ fpuhf;fp fhuzkhf mtu;fSf;fhf

nrytopf;fg;gl;l Neuk; kw;Wk; Kaw;rpapd; gyhgyd;fs; vd;gd milag;gl;Ls;sd. ,e;j

khw;wj;jpw;F gq;fspg;G toq;fpa Kf;fpa fhuzpahf ,t;tplaj;jpy; <Lgl;l ngz;jiytpfspd;

Nehf;Fk; mu;g;gzpg;Gk; ,Ue;jJld; ,tu;fis khw;wj;jpw;fhd fhuzpfshf rKjhaj;jpdhy;

mq;fPfupf;fg;l;likAk; Fwpg;gplyhk;. ,e;j thuhe;j re;ijia NkYk; Kd;Ndw;wp tpupthf;Ftjw;F

cj;Njrpf;fg;gl;Ls;sJ.

Documents

CASE STUDIES OF TRANSFORMATIONAL WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP … · organisational support from JSSK1, a community based organisation in Dimbulagala, Polonnaruwa by way of trainings, awareness