Engendering governance and peace-building to increase women’s participation in the decision-making processes that shape their lives

Sri Lanka: Development of Women Leaders as Mediators in Conflict Resolution & Human Rights Violation

UNIFEM’s support was geared towards strengthening the capacity of women & their organizations to advocate for themselves, and empowering them to become peace mediators, and developing a Peace Network of Women. 300 women leaders from 30 NGOs were trained to become Peace Mediators, resolving conflicts at personal, family and community levels. They were mobilized to strengthen and support their respective organizations, a Peace Network of Women developed in each district through the education of at least 40 additional grassroots organizations. Participatory dialogue was facilitated through the 300 trained Peace Mediators with all 150 organizations and knowledge and capacity of women and men strengthened outside the 150 NGOs concerned at the district level. Information & knowledge on women’s human rights has been enhanced. Many cases of serious conflicts have been resolved and there are several instances of human rights being restored through the intervention of these trained leaders. The project has been able to draw the cooperation of Development Officers attached to 36 Divisional Secretariat Offices in the three districts of Gampaha, Colombo and Kalutara.