Page 241 - Siduliya

SEVA VANITHA 241

representatives are women. COVID has sent a
powerful message to the strong willed women of
Sri Lanka. It is a time for reflection and for change.
Women have risen to the challenge to keep their
home fires burning., care for their children, face
abuse and violence undeterred. Our goal is to tap
into that strength and resilience. We also believe
that at a national level, a woman's voice must be
heard at every negotiating table in order to bring
in a balanced and cohesive response to issues
that are crippling our beautiful country.
An incredible team of powerful women,
each one more powerful in their experience and
individual body of work comprise the team, The “We are activists, not armchair program designers.
When we get to the river if we find the water
group represent the various ethnicities, religion
muddy and dirty, we get into the river and clean
and even age and are well aware that the journey
the water.”
will be long and hard, but draw strength from
each other.
Our deepest concern now is funding to take this
movement to the next level. “Bringing together
The Wisdom Women comprise an
35 women to a residential workshop from
incredible team. Soraya M. Deen is a lawyer
Friday afternoon to Sunday is costly. But we
and an award winning International activist,
see something beyond matter.. that when love,
gender justice advocate and a community
expertise and commitment come together, magic
organizer. Caryll Tozer is a conservation and
can happen.
environmental activist, co founded Women In
Need, an organization to stop violence against The United Nations SDG’s (Suggested Development
women, and through her organization One Goals) has placed great emphasis on Gender
Home at a Time, builds homes for the needy Equality, as both a stand-alone goal and a central
women led households and Wells for villages tenet to achieving an inclusive and sustainable
that need water. Kamani who is the founder of development agenda by 2030.
Shanti Maryam, center for troubled youth, Selvi
through her Poornam foundation helps peace We must promote participation. Promoting
building and self development. Farzana through participation - means recognising we each have
her organization, counsels young girls who are something unique and important to contribute to
victims of abuse and violence while supporting society.
educational initiatives. Ven. Tenzin Leckdron a
Bikkuni leads meditation and mindful retreats Today Wisdom Wednesdays is watched in
for women. Ameena who is engaged in various thousands of homes across the world. We receive
encouraging comments from diverse audiences.
social work is a prolific writer and owns In a divided world hearing a positive message is
her publishing house. All power houses in their like a drop of water in the ocean. There is no good
own field. news anymore. People who watch TV know this.
Feeding the spiritual is as important as feeding
“Having gone through tremendous life's the hungry. People are hungry for hope and a new
challenges and hardships, we know fully well way forward.
what it takes to uplift women and give them the
The Wisdom Women believe that, “Individual
skills to thrive,” they declare with confidence
transformation, focused and committed action
leads to community transformation. Unified we
will be that much stronger, “ they say.

Contact information: wisdom.wednesdays.2020@
gmail.com