In a bid to bring women together, NPC’s Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project arranged a cultural exchange aimed at empowering women to advocate for policy changes and establishing a network of national women leaders committed to reshaping the state structure.
The exchange marked the final chapter of the WOICE project. Fifty supergroup women leaders from seven districts participated in building bridges across communities. The choice of Nuwara Eliya as a meeting place intended to build empathy and show solidarity on issues that continue to persist for the Malaiyaha community while fostering cultural engagement.
Voices of women can be raised in many ways: through women's political participation, recognising their roles in social change, advocating for women's rights and focusing on the often overlooked struggles of Malaiyaha Tamil women. A silent march which was held became a symbol of collective, civic action for women's rights and political participation. Supergroup women leaders, joined by 50 Malaiyaha estate women, marched through Nuwara Eliya town engaging with the community through posters, street dramas and leaflet distribution.
After the march, an information session was held by Mrs. Sobana Rajendran, Senior Lecturer from University Peradeniya, on the understanding of the history and rights of the Malaiyaha Tamil people where supergroup women leaders had an opportunity to exchange ways to eradicate these injustices.
Supergroup women leaders suggested uniting the seven districts to influence society and safeguard women's rights. They committed themselves to advocating for changes in political agendas and to reduce barriers to political participation of women.
The series of cultural exchanges under the WOICE project resulted in empowerment, understanding and unity.