Women's Development Centre

09/04/2026

With the support of the COL4D's Empowering Women & Girls Project, we proudly introduced a Walking School initiative, creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for women and girls in our community.

A key feature of this initiative is the focus on awareness sessions. Using facilities such as a projector and flip board, interactive sessions are conducted in a participatory and engaging way. These sessions address important topics including gender equality, prevention of gender-based violence, personal safety, rights awareness, and essential life skills. Women, girls, and community members actively take part in these discussions, helping to build confidence, knowledge, and a stronger support system within the community.

Alongside this, the Mobile Library brings learning opportunities directly to women and girls. With access to a variety of books and educational materials, it encourages continuous learning, improves literacy, and creates space for personal growth and empowerment. It is especially valuable for those with limited access to resources, ensuring no one is left behind.

By combining awareness, safe access, and learning opportunities, this initiative is creating meaningful change-empowering women and girls to lead, learn, and thrive.

02/04/2026

We successfully completed a 3-day Tamil medium workshop on Gender Analysis, Gender-Responsive Programming, and Inclusive Economic Development, held from March 30th to April 1st at the Women’s Development Centre (WDC) in Kandy.

The programme brought together 25 committed staff and community representatives from ChildFund Sri Lanka’s implementing partners in Batticaloa, Trincomalee, and Nuwara Eliya. Over the three days, participants strengthened their capacities to meaningfully mainstream gender and advance women’s economic empowerment within their initiatives—ensuring that development efforts are more inclusive, equitable, and impactful.

As part of the learning experience, participants also visited the WDC Sthree Social Enterprise and Café in Kandy, gaining valuable first-hand insight into how women’s economic empowerment initiatives can create sustainable change and transform lives and communities.

T-Field Child Development Federation AU Lanka Child Development Fund

26/03/2026

Celebrating women’s leadership during 💪

Leading One of Sri Lanka’s Longest-Running Shelters for SGBV Survivors

This , we celebrate the leadership of Sashi Stephen, who continues to strengthen and expand the 40-year legacy of the Women's Development Centre (WDC) in advancing gender equality in Sri Lanka. From sustaining one of Sri Lanka’s longest-running shelters for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence to implementing a comprehensive Community-Based Rehabilitation model, supporting economic empowerment through the Sthree social enterprise and café, and nurturing 16 women’s forums across 13 districts, her work reflects a deep belief in collective advocacy and resilient women-led leadership.

Under her guidance, WDC has broadened its work to address all forms of gender-based violence affecting women and girls, including those with disabilities, while building strong governance structures and national and international partnerships that amplify impact across social, economic, political, cultural, technological, and environmental spheres. Through networking, collaboration, and sustained action, Sashi inspires women to challenge injustice, claim leadership spaces, and drive meaningful social transformation.

United Nations Development Programme - UNDP UNDP in Asia and the Pacific

21/03/2026

Throughout this month for , we will be highlighting the work of fantastic female volunteers in who were the finalists of . The first woman to introduce is the late Mrs. Pearl Stephen who dedicated her life to and .

The late Mrs. Pearl Stephen was the pioneer of the Women's Development Centre (WDC) in Mulgampola village in Kandy District. As women’s rights activist Pearl united other interested groups to initiate many welfare activities for abused women who worked in estates. She also took initiatives to care for the children of these affected women and developed rehabilitation programmes and other activities to protect them.

The situation in the country in early 1980s motivated Pearl to serve women who were helpless and seeking someone’s protection. She was able to start a protection center for sexually assaulted women and children in Kandy. This was the first of its kind in the country outside the city of Colombo.

As a societal need she saw the importance of taking action to protect children living on the streets. She was able to become a foster mother to many children while sending them to school and being their guardian.

Her helping hand had been a great asset at a time of much need to rescue and take care of people affected by the tsunami. Pearl took a leading role in taking care of innocent civilians displaced by the conflict. Menik Farm is one of the camps for displaced people where she distributed food while conducting counseling session to nourish their mental wellbeing.

Pearl’s willingness to serve those in need and those facing difficult circumstance were the main reasons that made her the she was. Her genuine personality influenced everyone who met her to do good for humanity. Her everlasting efforts to bring happiness into other people’s lives made her an outstanding heroine in the country.



United Nations Sri Lanka UN Volunteers UNV Asia & the Pacific UNDP Sri Lanka UN Women

20/03/2026

Empowering change begins with knowledge—and action. 💜

We successfully concluded a 3-day Sinhala medium workshop on Gender Analysis, Gender-Responsive Programming, and Inclusive Economic Development, bringing together 29 dedicated staff and community representatives from ChildFund Sri Lanka's implementing partners in Monaragala, Puttalam, Trincomalee, and Nuwara Eliya.

The programme focused on strengthening capacities to meaningfully mainstream gender and promote women’s economic empowerment within their initiatives—ensuring that development efforts are inclusive, equitable, and impactful.

The sessions were expertly facilitated by Chandrathilaka Liyanaarachchi, Director of Programmes, whose insights and experience guided rich discussions and practical learning.

Participants also visited the WDC Sthree Social Enterprise and Café in Kandy, gaining first-hand exposure to how women’s economic empowerment can transform lives and communities.

AU Lanka T-Field Child Development Federation

18/03/2026

On March 4th and 5th, 30 women from across the Kandy District came together for a two-day Entrepreneurship Training Program designed to strengthen their economic independence and leadership.

Through practical sessions on marketing, financial management, and business development, participants gained the tools and confidence to grow their enterprises and take greater control over their incomes and futures.

Facilitated by Mr. T. Sivabalan, the program created a space for learning, sharing, and building pathways toward sustainable livelihoods.

Empowering women economically is not just about income — it’s about dignity, decision-making power, and creating lasting change for families and communities.

12/03/2026

08/03/2026

Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and courage of women everywhere.

Behind every woman is a story of persistence, survival, hope, and determination. Women continue to challenge barriers, rebuild their lives, support their families, and uplift their communities, even in the face of inequality and violence.

Yet for many women and girls, rights remain out of reach. Justice is delayed. Safety is uncertain. Opportunities are limited.

This year’s theme — Rights. Justice. Action. — reminds us that equality cannot remain an aspiration. It must become a reality.

Every woman and girl deserves to live free from violence, to access justice without fear or delay, and to have the opportunity to build a life of dignity and independence.

Today, we honour the journeys of women from all walks of life — survivors, leaders, entrepreneurs, caregivers, advocates, and changemakers. Their strength reminds us that when women rise, communities rise with them.

But celebration alone is not enough. Change requires action.

Let us stand together to ensure that the rights of all women and girls are protected, justice is accessible, and meaningful action is taken to create a future where every woman can live with dignity, safety, and opportunity.

02/03/2026

When parents are informed, children are better supported 💙

On 26th February, parents of children with disabilities came together at the Women's Development Centre to learn about services offered by the Department of Social Services.

With guidance from Ms. Ganga Kumarihamy of the Gangawata Koraleya Divisional Secretariat, parents reflected on real challenges they face in meeting eligibility criteria and discussed how they can advocate for fairer access to services in the future.

These conversations matter — because systems change when communities speak up. ✨

28/02/2026

On 24th & 25th February, barefoot counsellors and peer counsellors from Ampara, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Monaragala, Galle, Anuradhapura and Rathnapura districts came together once again under the “Strengthening Mechanisms and Structures in Response to Social Injustices Affecting Target Communities” project, funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and facilitated by the Women's Development Centre.

This space allowed counsellors working in Tamil and Sinhala mediums to revisit their knowledge, reflect on lived experiences from the field, and further strengthen their skills in listening, counselling, and responding to SGBV.

When community responders grow stronger, survivors are supported better.

27/02/2026

On 19th & 20th February, the first Network of Women (NoW) quarterly meeting of 2026 was held at the Women's Development Centre head office, with powerful women leaders representing 13 districts of Sri Lanka.

From reflecting on our collective progress to strengthening how we document our work and shaping plans for International Women’s Day, these two days were filled with connection, clarity, and commitment.

Stronger networks. Stronger voices. Stronger change.

20/02/2026

Under the Empowering Women and Girls Project, two training sessions were successfully conducted for teachers and school management representatives to enhance their skills in preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) in schools.

📍 Kandy – The session was facilitated by officers from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).

📍 Kalmunai – The session was facilitated by the Assistant Zonal Education Director.

Teachers from several schools in the respective areas actively participated in these sessions. The training enhanced participants’ understanding of identifying GBV-related issues, referral pathways, and strategies to create safer and more supportive learning environments.

This initiative will support schools to take concrete steps towards GBV prevention and response.

We appreciate the commitment of all educators and officials who are working towards safeguarding children and promoting gender equality in schools.