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Vol. 3
Women
The earth has settled gently We hope on the Sri Lankan maid Sithy nisa whose dream of finding her fortune in the Middle East turned out to be nightmare when she finally faced a firing Squad. The shock Waves that SWept through our country as well as the civilised World at the gruesome fate that befell her at her employers request have subsided. The anger, laments and doubts that filled the aur have wafted into silence. We hope at least the incident has left behind a trail of conscience - stricken women and men.
Local Women from our Villages and suburbs leave the shores of their motherland in Search of money for their impoverished families. For all of then it is a venture they undertake into an unknown future - Women who have only known the warmth of their native soil and the concern of their families and friends.
The Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment estimates the number of Sri Lankan females working as domestics in the UAE as 450,000.
The foreign exchange that they earned in 1993 made up 55.3% of the country's private remittances, keenly collected to boost our much needed foreign exchange and proudly announced on many a public
platform. The wor probably unawar among the top asse
It being common environment they little education language, culturt religious practices in their new ei Women need to t Special category deserve special as country to enable an alien environme
Such assistance at haphazard and considered a resp obligation by any :
It behoves the au value the foreign bring in, to themselves to g Women a better cl their new jobs.
As far as it is p available and
employers and the could be monitore
A more comprehe and continuing tal all our immigran whether registered
----
Prav
 
 

e that they rate :ts of the country
knowledge that the come from the they have, their , traditions and are totally different nvironment. These pe considered as a Who require and sistance from their them to survive in
t
present is minimal,
certainly lC onsibility or moral uthority.
tthorities, who still eXchange that they genuinely concern lve these helpless hance of survival in
racticable the jobs
the prospective working conditions d.
nsive and a closer D could be kept on
t Women workers,
O`Ot.
vahini i
Peri
men themselves are
A training in the type of work they will be expected to undertake and the moden household gadgets they would be expected to handle is essential.
Even more importantly they should be familiarised with the foreign culture, language, laws and religion into which they will have to fit or at least to tolerate.
And most important would be the Security that can and should be afforded to them by our authorities resident in these countries, by being easily accessible, concerned, understanding and sympathetic. This indeed would be the maids most
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Inside......
Siri Lапќан National Desk sor Child 4 buse
Political Empo verment
of Vonne Sought at SAARC Level
Gender in Atalawi
Gender sensitization
Research Projects
ÅMerit hvards
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
Book Shelf

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valued asset - the native compassion and understanding from fellow country men.
However, these migrant workers, from reports published time and again, have only complained about the complete lack of support from the Embassies and now hard on the heels of this tragic incident, which we hoped would galvanise authorities into action, a foreign news report reaches us of other Lankan maids from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia who have been murdered. The Embassies have been unaware of their deaths until they read newspaper reports.
country can do ol make arrangement bodies.
The Philippines differently to a regarding a Filip recalled all their from that country concern for and thi to their nationals.
In contrast, Sri reaction requestin "keep a closer tal confirms its, distur attitude.
There seems to be very little our
Sri Lankan N for Chi
"One of the most monstrous and heinous forms of slavery found on our Planet Earth is flourishing in Sri Lanka" - Child Abuse and Child Prostitution.
That these crimes are rampant in our country is constantly brought to light by media reports. Tourism which has been boosted in no small measure in recent years has been treated as an indicator of the country’s attraction and popularity and the foreign exchange it brings in as a sign of prosperity. Nevertheless, it is a well known fact that modern tourism has been the root cause of sexual child abuse making it one of the gravest social problems of the day. This problem - this tragedy that awaits our innocent children-as it is today has may faces and it is obvious that whatever legislation there is to combat it, is outdated and ineffective in enforcement.
The local and international media have for long years been campaigning for positive action to save the children of the world from this plague. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has as its signatories a large number of countries of the world including Asian countries. It was signed by the President of Sri Lanka and ratified in 1991. This Charter requires that "State Parties take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while

will do except to to bring home the
reacted very similar incident no worker. They immigrant workers nd displayed their ir moral obligation
Lanka's recent g its missions to
" on the workers ingly disinterested
Cannot more drastic steps be taken to arouse some positive humanitarian action to safeguard our maids from violence?
Are we to continue to read almost every week that a Sri Lankan maid has been murdered?
Are we helplessly leaving the Middle East employers to believe that Sri Lankan maids can be harassed as they please and no questions will be asked? s
Why this pathetic national apathy in a matter of life and death"?
'ational Desk 'd Abuse
in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any person who has the care of the child".
Many countries have already taken action with regard to legislation and punishment. A young international organisation ECPAT (End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism) has campaigned for passing of laws to protect children.
Australia may be quoted as playing a leading role and in 1994 laws were revised in Australia to prosecute offenders who commit these crimes abroad even if that country does not have such a law and "video - link"evidence has been accepted at trials. Other countries which have adopted similar legislation are Canada, Japan, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany.
Thailand and the other Asian countries are revising their laws and are also seeking ways to better enforce them. Special Police Task Forces have been set up.
Sri Lanka too is revising its laws and the draft is now ready to be presented to Parliament to be eventually placed in the Statute book. In the meantime "Police Headquarters has established a National Desk for child abuse and violence against Women". Such information desks will be set up in every Police division. This will help to bring to light cases

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which up to now have easily gone undetected and offenders who as easily have slipped out of reach.
It will also be useful for the Police to collect statistics and data on the problem and organise an exchange of information between national and international agencies. It is heartening indeed to know that meaningful steps are being taken to stem this growing trend in criminality.
From the history of feminist thought since 1970, one can glean 3 options for Women
First there is the option of agreeing to compete in the male defined world of politics on its own terms, in the manner of a Margaret Thatcher.
Second, there is the option of withdrawing from the world, out of pessimism as to its essentially patriarchal nature, creating instead an other world of female retredit.
Finally, there is the option of entering the world and attempting to change it, in the image of the woman-centered values at the core of feminism. I believe that only this last option offers any hope.
Hester Eisenstein
Gender i
W omen's Voice is a non partisan women's orga The country became independent in 1964, but was ruled t freedom dawned for Malawi after the multi party elections.
Malawi is an intensely patriarchal country with st care for the home and family and the fields. Women have men, and men believe that women are incapable of perform Banda Women did not find it possible to have women's issu has been promising to include Women in government affairs still perpetuating patriarchal attitudes.
However, women have begun to organise themselv Voice has identified several problems which Malawi wo discriminatory laws, involving women in decision-making a rights. く
Women's Voice believes in women having an imp nation and ensuring that women are enlightened and educate

However laws alone are insufficient for it is the enforcement of the law that has to be effective. The punishment must fit the crime, so that the offender truly pays for it. Nor can we forget the victim whose rehabilitation is a vital necessity, which should receive
serious attention.
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Political Empowerment of Women Sought at SAARC Level.
Women of South Asian countries have formed a strong committee to stress their demands for political empowerment of women. Representatives from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India met last April in New Delhi and "emphasised the need for lobbying together to ensure both a collective and a country specific voice for women of the region". They saw political empowerment as an essential prerequisite for equality between men and women and sought equal participation in decision making issues in the Asian region. Inequality in economic policies and the burden of poverty on women were the major areas of concern. The main aim of the meeting was to work out a joint action plan to be presented at the SAARC summit due to be held in New Delhi in May 1995.
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in Malawi
nisation in Malawi, led by the country’s first woman lawyer. by the dictator Kamuza Banda till 1993 when a new era of
rong cultural traditions where the women were expected to been traditionally made to believe that they were inferior to ing in decision-making issues. During the regime of Kamuza les included in the national plans but the present ruling party S. However, it has included only 2 women in a cabinet of 20,
es, to bring about a change in the status of women. Women's pmen have to face and are agitating for the abolition of tall levels, promoting and protecting women's and children's
portant role to play in all social and economic aspects of the d.

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LSLLS LSGSSSCSCSSSSLSSSGLGS
Gender Se
Since time began women have always taken a sec physical strength was more important than mental capabili period of care and support before he/she could act independ home, while the father worked for the essentials of life. T beginning of the industrial revolution began a social chang the traditional role of the mother. That day is now upc recognised that women have the right to pursue their own own country without announcement or attention women h; income earners. In garment factories and in overseas emplo the country's much needed foreign exchange. Women are gender sensitisation programmes are aimed at focussing atte social inequalities that still exist.
The programme itself consists of several areas in affected and an overall historical perspective of the gende violence against women, bias in employment and second parents themselves who give preference to the son and t women in legal issues particularly relating to rape, abortion a
The media portrayal of women in features, advertis generally one of stereo typing and generalising. Cultural fa area in which women come out Second best. The programm to the less obvious ways in which they are suppressed whil ways in which women can deal with them.
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Workshops held by WERC for the purpose of gender sensitiz
A programme funded by CIDA was held in Batticaloa at benefit of single women affected by violence.
In Puttalam two workshops one for Grama Sevakas and the UNICEF. The group comprised men and women, the majorit
Lectures and discussions were held on gender issues such a cultural barriers against women. In addition, documental economic status were also included.
Interaction of men and women in dramas, skits and lively dis
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Gender Sensitization programmes are being planned for M) Tamil commencing August 1995.
People in electronic and print media who are interested plea.
米 米 米 米

nSitization
ondary role to men. This was perfectly logical in times when ties. It was also essential that a child who required a long
2ntly should have the mother at - പൂ he turn of the century and the
It has been
2 that would one day challenge in us. It has been universally ambitions and interests. In our lini versally ave become the largest foreign • yment they bring in the bulk of recognuS ed
no longer the weaker sex and that women ntion on this and addressing the
have the
which women are particularly |r ight lO
r issues. The burning issues of риrsие their ary status in èducation by the
he unhappy position faced by OWhil nd domestic violence. ambitions
sements and even news items is and interestS ctors and traditions are another
le also seeks to awaken Women 2 at the same time bring in to focus the larger issues and the
!ation have helped to create an awareness of gender issues.
he request of Mahasakthy Thrift and Credit Society for the
other for Primary school teachers were held at the request of y of whom were Muslims.
S gender based discrimination and oppression, and social and
ries on women related issues, women's subordination in
cussions were notable features of this programme.
EDIA PERSONNEL and will be held in Sinhala English and
se contact us without delay.
米 米 米 米

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Female Gender Issues on Rupavahini
gender issues in all We are happy that three languages. gender sensitivity is Topics include women being brought into and Dowry, Violence
state organisations. against women. History Rupavahini is of Women's Movement,
Media representation of presently engaged in Women.
organising monthly panel discussions on
Prestigious award
for Radhika
The American Bar Association's International Human Rights Committee has awarded the 1995 Rule of Law Award to Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy who was appointed last year by the United Nations Commission of Human Rights as Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, its causes and Consequesnces, a news release from the International Centre for Ethnic Studies said. W
Obeysekarapura Revolving Fund
The women's Education and Research Centre carried out a credit programme for unemployed women at Obeysekarapura shanty dwellings. The unemployed women of this area were selected for this project. The motive of the project was to basically offer self employment opportunities to unemployed women with the idea of developing their living standard.
Categories for this project were as follows:
1. Supplying food items for sale
2. Sewing garments
3. Selling betel leaves
Seven females out of a large number were selected as the most suitable for this project.

Research Project 95/96
Female headed households
The research will focus on the victims/widows whose husbands have died in ethnic or civil violence in the selected areas of Hambantota and Moneragala, Trincomalee and Amparai, Mulativu and Jaffna.
War Crimes Against Women
Information and applications from research assistants will be welcome. Please contact us.
Our latest Publications
Life Under Milkwood : Women Workers in Rubber Plantations. - An overview by Dr. J. Uyangoda.
Media Images of Women . A collective Research Project on the portrayal of women in contemporary Electronic & Print media. Edited by Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran
While two of them were lent money to purchase sewing machines, five others were lent money to buy material for their business ventures viz cloth, groceries, sewing accessories, betel leaves and other materials.
The participants undertook the responsibility of repaying the money lent to them, in instalments, out of their business income. The participants are being given advice and other consultations by our Organization. They keep us informed about the progress of their business activities while our staff visits them at least once a month and meets the participants for individual personal contact.
Recently it was decided to conduct this project through the Kotte Joint Community Development Society of Obeysekarapura. This came as a request from the President of the Society. The project is now better organised and it was encouraging to note that the society took the responsibility of assisting us by monitoring the repayment of the loans.

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Hellm;
The Helli tWC Altleri
The grant
based inlic: concerT1. Til for Writicis
MAUREE deserves ol this prestig Ulf 12 bakok in the he suffering it
MilLIrečil htlm:111 ítarl
Merit
WERC Was requested to monina Le a country to compete for an award I
Resourceful Willen \WIri 1994
We nominalcd Thilaka II eraith from W announce that she has bec sclected f personal use and S750 for het organis
We congratulate Thilaka Herath and WERC as Intimina lor,
Latest Issue.......
Nivedini - A Sri Lankail Fellinist Journal
Wol. I No.2 10cc:Timber 1994 WWol. 2 No. 1
MAY 1995 (Double Issue)
Conlents include.......
IEconomic EllpowcIlment of WolcIl
Buddhisin and Feminisill
Patriarchy in Language
Wiclence, Nature and Exten
 
 

m - Hammett Grant
In - Hammel L. grant is made from funds left by the estates of än Writers, Lilian Hellman and II)ashiell Hammett.
rogram Inc is administered by Human Rights Watch, a US mational Human Rights Organisation having world-wid: |cse awards first given in 1990, Wer: designated as assistance anywhere in the World who have faced persecution.
SENEWIRATNE, a well known Sıı Larıkan writer, Irwarını commendation as she has been named a rccipient of ious award being one of the 49 selected for 1995. An author 5, she has often taken her themes "frol life, and Sri Lanka, s of a 12 year civil war, lhe consequent pain and anguish and
various forms hawe becn her background.
Sele Viratine's Writings have been recognised for the in and human rights issues involved,
Award
Woman from the gli oots Women's organizations of the made by Shelter Adams Foundation of California for the
Women's Progressive Front at Ibbagamuwa. We are happy to or an award of merit of US $ 1000 (of which $250 is for her lation) through our efforts.
als thank Sheller Adams Foundation for their donation to)
Sinhala Cinema
Trafficking in Women
Pistoral Pow:T
About this issue....
...." most impressive journal - its an excellent publication and ofcourse, continually breaking new ground and
dealing with the most soul - searching issues,
Hope it goes to Bcijing - its so good",

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The Hand that I
The English film shown at WERC auditorium on Friday 26th May 95
Laura, a mother of two and an asthmatic, consults a physician who fondles her against her wishes, while examining her. Distressed by this, she and her husband decide to file action against the doctor , so that other women patients do not suffer the same fate. The incident is given coverage on T.V. and other women who have had similar experiences are requested to come forward to give evidence. Meanwhile the doctor is shot dead, his young wife Peyton has a miscarriage and loses her baby. While the doctors struggle to save her life this news item is being telecast on T V and her eyes suddenly focus on the woman who was instrumental in destroying her life.
She plans her revenge, and enters the household of Laura as a nanny, gradually winning the confidence of the family. She stealthily breast feeds the baby whom she feels belongs to her, seduces the husband, and now plans to kill Laura, so that she could have a husband children and home. When her true identity is discovered, she tries to kill Laura and her husband and take the children away with her. In the ensuing struggle Peyton is killed and the
B00k Shelf
BETWEEN FEMINISM AND PSYCHOANAIYSIS Ed. Teresa Brannan Routledge Publications, London (1993), 265pages. A collection of essays relating psychoanalysis to feminism and feminism to psychoanalysis.
MANY R4M-f4 FANAS The Diversity of a Narative Tradition in South Asia
Ed. Paula Richman, Oxford University Press, Delhi (1992), 261 pages
Pr.
 

Ocks the Cradle"
family at last is safe. Losing her husband baby and home. clouds her reason and makes her scheming, seductive and she even plans to murder her mistress without any compunction. But she loves the baby and is prepared to go to any lengths to keep him. She is portrayed as a shallow materialistic person who is dependent on the possessions her husband’s position provides but ignores his abuse of his profession. She is totally dependent on him, and has no resources of her own. Laura, the wife, is a loving mother who fights to save her family, even when she finds the husband attracted to the nanny. She wins the sympathy of the audience as she courageously takes a stand against the unethical actions of the doctor.
The solidarity of the women who back her with evidence of their own experiences is also an eye opener. The predominant qualities in both women is the love of children and family. Both are prepared even to kill or be killed in the struggle to get possession of the baby.
The many ways in which women use their strength and courage, and the lengths to which love of home and family can take them is portrayed in this film.
Explores the diversity of Ramayana tradition, while demonstrating how non-dominant groups have re cast the Rama story to reflect their own views of the world or how selected incidents from the epic have become the teaching of religious liberation or demands for political separatism.
FEMINISM AND NATIONALISM IN THE THIRD JWORLD
Dr. Kumari Jayawardene Sajiva Books, Colombo Asian Ed. (1980), 274 pages Reconstructs the little known history of these political struggles women launched in Asia and the Middle-East from the 19th century onwards.
GENDER AND ETHNICITY IN SCHOOLS: Ethnographic Ассоитt Edit. Peter Woods and Martyn Hammersley London Routledge and The Open University (1993), 228 pages A sample of recent ethnographic work which considers the dimensions of gender and ethnicity in pupils experiences and addresses the issues they raise. V
vahini

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ASIAN PANORAMA. ESSAYS IN ASIAN HISTORY, PAST AND PRESENT Ed, K. M. de Silva, Srima Kiribamune and C. R. de Silva New Delhi : Vikas Publishing House, (1990) 970 pages A selection of papers by scholars on new findings in Asian History as well as other aspects of Asian Studies presented at the l lth conference of the International Association of Historians of Asia. It also includes women’s history relating women to social charges in South Asian countries.
NECTARIN A. SIEVE: A Novel of Rural India by Kamala Markandaya Jaico Publishing House, Delhi, 189 pages. In the land where everything depends on raire and rice the setting up of a tannery brings about changes in the lives of Rukmani and Kunti. A novel of all times.
OUR LIBRARY IS OPEN FROM 9.00AM. TILL 4.30 PMON WEEK DAYS.
SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES
Sinhala and Tamil classes for beginners are in progress conversing in the language that was once unfamiliar to then
Any one interested is welcome to join. Please inquire from
Staff News
Ms. Tilaka Dissanayake has just returned having participa International Centre, Canada which is dedicated to "stre Linkages for Women's Lives is a sharing of experiences of
Ms. Rockey Ariyaratne joins us happily whenever she has t
Ms. Vinodini de Silva continues to undertake project work.
Ms. Rose Sinnathanby joined us as Administrative Assistal
Ms. Chitra Abayaratna was appointed to the post of Execut
Don Herera Embuldeniya a 4th year student from York concentrating on Gender Relations in Sri Lanka.
We thank all those who worked with us last year and wish
WERC will be moving to its nev and more spacious pre Tel. 590985, 595296.

Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma (Myanmar)
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release, after 6 years of house arrest by a military junta in spite of appeals by United Nations Human Rights Commission is hailed by all who hold democracy and human rights sacred.
Nobel Peace Prize winner for her struggle against tyranny for freedom and dignity, she became the most feared captive in Burma. "An example of the power of the powerless" we welcome the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and salute this courageous woman who faces undeterred, the challenges ahead" with cautious optimism" on behalf of her people and her country.
We stand in solidarity with her in her future endeavours.
Women's Education and Research Centre
and a fair number of participants are well on the way to
l.
WERC.
ted in a month's exchange programme organised by MATCH ngthening women's movements globally". This programme women concerned with women's issues.
ime to help us out in temporary work.
ut in April this year.
ive Secretary.
University Canada joined us in July as a volunteer. He is
hem success in their future endeavours.
mises at 58, Dharmarama Road, Colombo 6 in August 1995.