UNFPA Sri Lanka

21/08/2026

Beyond the temperature reading: How do we cover Sri Lanka’s growing extreme heat crisis?

Today, UNFPA Sri Lanka and the Centre for Investigative Reporting (CIR) brought together nearly 20 journalists and senior editors for a hands-on workshop focused on Reporting on Extreme Heat, a first in Sri Lanka.

As climate extremes impact livelihoods, public health, and vulnerable communities, especially women and girls, media coverage must go beyond basic weather updates.

Key takeaways from the session:
📊 Data to Visuals: Translating complex climate data into accessible, mobile-friendly charts.
👁️ The Human Lens: Highlighting heat-stress impacts on maternal care, local safety, and gender dynamics.
🛡️ Ethical & Trauma-Informed: Reporting on frontline crises without triggering trauma or relying on sensationalism.
💡 Solutions Focus: Moving past "doom and gloom" to showcase community resilience and actionable adaptation.

Informed journalism saves lives. By bridging climate data with human-centered storytelling, Sri Lanka's newsrooms are better prepared to report on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

20/08/2026

Don’t we see this happening in our workplaces too?

Sexual harassment can happen anywhere, including in the workplace. No one should have to tolerate unwanted behaviour, intimidation or harassment just to do their job.

If you or someone you know is facing sexual harassment at work, you are not alone. Reach out for help and support.

Together, we can work towards a GBV-free Sri Lanka, where every workplace and public space is safe, respectful and inclusive for all.

Towards a GBV-Free Sri Lanka: Safe Public Spaces for All.

19/08/2026

This , we are reminded that humanitarian action is not only about responding in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. It is also about helping communities rebuild, restoring essential services, and ensuring that those most affected are not left behind.

After , mothers like Shriyani continued to seek essential healthcare despite the difficult conditions at the damaged Harasbedda Clinic. Rainwater seeped through the ceiling, floors became slippery, and pregnant women and mothers carrying newborns faced unsafe conditions while accessing care.

With UNFPA's support, the clinic was restored, helping ensure that mothers, newborns and families can once again access essential healthcare in a safe and dignified environment.

Read Shriyani's story and learn how restoring a clinic helped restore a sense of safety and hope for mothers and newborns affected by .

Source: https://unf.pa/4qoYnN7

19/08/2026

19/08/2026

For women and girls in crisis, lifesaving support often comes through practical lifelines: a midwife within reach, a clinic that can move, a safe place to seek support, cash to make urgent choices, dignity supplies and trusted frontline workers.

Across Asia and the Pacific, these services can determine whether a woman gives birth safely, whether a survivor of violence can access confidential care, or whether a displaced girl has the information and support she needs to stay safe.

This , here are six lifelines women and girls in crisis cannot afford to lose, and why sustained funding is essential to keep them open.

https://unf.pa/4wufezx

18/08/2026

Creating workplaces where everyone can work with safety, dignity and respect requires leadership, accountability and collective action.

Under the joint UN project “Social Dialogue for Peace and Crisis Prevention in Sri Lanka,” implemented by ILO, UNFPA and UNESCO, a dialogue with the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) brought together perspectives from Government, employers and trade unions to explore how workplace policies and practices can better advance gender equality and prevent gender-based violence.

The discussion focused on the barriers to achieving gender parity at all levels, strengthening mechanisms to prevent and respond to workplace harassment, and promoting gender-sensitive grievance handling. Participants also explored practical actions that can be taken within the mandate of the NLAC to create safer and more inclusive workplaces.

As Sri Lanka strengthens its policy and legal frameworks on gender equality and the prevention of violence and harassment, social dialogue and strong tripartite leadership are essential to turning commitments into meaningful change.

UNFPA, together with its UN partners, remains committed to supporting efforts to build workplaces where respect, safety and dignity are upheld for all.

18/08/2026

Everyone deserves harassment-free travel.

Sexual harassment on public transport is unacceptable and has no place in our communities. Every woman, girl and person using public transport has the right to travel safely, respectfully and free from harassment.

If you experience or witness harassment, know that help is available. Speak up, report it, and remember - we’re .

📞 109 – Police Children & Women’s Bureau
📞 1938 – Women’s Helpline

17/08/2026

How can businesses move from gender equality commitments to meaningful representation in leadership and the boardroom?

At the Driving Gender Equality in Business Leadership Across APAC panel, moderated by Anushika Amarasinghe, Programme Analyst, Partnerships & Advocacy of UNFPA Sri Lanka, business leaders explored practical approaches to closing the gap between corporate strategy and boardroom representation.

The discussion brought together perspectives from Hirdaramani Group, Smart Axiata and Infosys, focusing on:

- Strengthening institutional governance and diversity policies
- Building pathways for women into C-suite and board-level leadership
- Preparing women to lead AI and digital transformation
- Addressing gender inequalities across different sectors, roles and geographies
- Using data and pipeline analytics to identify and address gaps
- Bridging generational and cultural barriers to inclusive leadership

The conversation underscored that advancing gender equality requires more than targets, it requires strong policies, accountable leadership, inclusive workplaces and sustained investment in women’s leadership at every level.

Together, businesses can help create more inclusive and equitable workplaces where women can lead, innovate and shape the future.

14/08/2026