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"Feminism is an awareneSS Of and OppreSSiOn at the mate WOmen's labOuur, fertility and
plaCe Of WOrk, and in SOCiety boy, WOmnen and men tO transfo
From the Editor.
This ieSue of fravahini come6 from our new addrese at Wellawatte. On August 11th '95 we moved office to the 6pacious and airy three storeyed building O1 Dharmarana Koad.
We have accomr1odated our Library, now well furniehed and equipped on the ground floor. We estock resource 1aterial including booke, journals, documented newspaper clippings on current topics. book and video caseette loane are available on a refundable deposit. Reading
room facilitie6 are also provided and computerised reference liete may be
obtained on request. The office proper occupies the first floor, while the 6ecord floor is being equipped for an Auditoriurn which Ca accommodate 4O persons - a
long-felt activities.
166
It was also al that final pre going ahead fo at the Four Conference o' Beijina. WEKC represented forum from 3 conclusion of Conference Sav of the Beijina L the Flatforr1 f presenting to widely discuss clarified blue-p into action empowerment details spelled enhancing, a improving t economic and their marital rights, and the gender violence
Pravahini Wol. 3 No. 1
 
 

C NeWS Letter
FEBRUARY 1996
patriarchal COntrol, exploitation rial and ideOlogical levels, Of Sexuality-in the family, at the in general-and includeS action rm SOCiety".
Kumari Jayewaredena
a for our
7out this tinne paratione were r participation th1 UN World f Worr1er1 ir1 2 was aleo 1 the NGO Pri Lanka. The the Beijing v the adoption eclaration ar1 or Action, thus the World a 2d, argued and rint to be put for the of worner1. The out the airn of avancing and heir social, olitical 6tatue, and sexual rfight against
giving every
country around the world, the direction to move forward into action - to realise the vieion of a future seen through women's ඒyeට - the implementation of which is the challenge placed before 6overnments of the world for 1996. Aes the United Nationes Department of Fubic Information says "Never before had the world 6o clearly admitted that without sharing power with women at all levels of decision-making, no real equality between women and men would ever be
achieved." Cort. page 2
Contents.
* A Platform for Action
* "All women of the World...
* At Beijing the Women said..."
' A Training Course -
Empowerment of Women in Asia
* Publications & Projects
* Library News
* A very short story

Page 2
The UN which 6poneored the Women'e Conference at Beijing, celebrated 50 yeare 6ince the creation of the United Nationes - "united for a better World." That thie world organisation has survived fifty years is in itself no mean achievement, weathering many 6torne, in ite effort to fulfil the mandates of the UN Charter, feaceful 6olutione, concern for human righte, and social and economic development have been advanced and upheld through the cooperation of the ratior19 within the UN. -->
NGOe, their mié6ione and mieconceptione
in recent northe, NGO's were
aetir with controvereial reporte O1 the6e organisations, and their activities.
The general
people that th own way un been the rr. criticism, espe name denotes not part of t machinery, and accountable tc country. Mu criticism has c due to a few integrity has b, Letters and ari in the press r both 6ide6 a uSeful especial the people commendable
humanitarian, v majority of t engaged in.
NGOs enjoy ma flexible than 6t and is, in fact reaeor1 for the their venturee,
A Platform For Action.........
The Beijing Conference on Women is the most recent historical landmark to go into the annals of women's activities. Outstanding as it was as a unique event, if only on account of the number of women (and men) who attended it, and that these women came from all corners of the earth, it was also unique in that this conglomeration included women from grass roots level to official government delegations and world leaders. It is difficult to imagine what must have been an everchanging kaleidoscope of hundreds upon hundreds of different costumes, languages ideas, opinions, strategies and activities. However, overwhelming the variety and multiplicity a superficial look may

feeling among NGOs go their eestricted hae ain point of cially as their that they are 1e government therefore not any one in the ch of thie bviously arisen NGOe whose en questioned. icles appearinø ave argued on 1d have been ly to educate
O1 the work, mostly which the great 1e NGOs are The freedom kee them more ate machinery 2, the basic 2 succeee of , t has been
evident that the 6tate has
been appreciative and 6upportive of their activities which are more easily accessible and 11ore
acceptable at the grass roots level. For most part they fulfil a reed which the state is unable to provide for different 『ごaéう○f1éう。
Nevertheless, increaeingly evident in the developing countries is the trehld for the 6tate to exercise 6ome kind of control over NGOs. Cooperation with the state will not be dietaateful in itself if it does not jeopardise the original identity and autonomy as a NGO. It is absolutely necessary for each NGO to be judged on its own merit, concerning its aims and objectives, ite activities and also most importantly its achievemente.
have indicated, this flood of women came to Beijing with a commitment to a cause - the empowerment of women. They came with a purpose and tried every method imaginable to achieve it.
The UN 4th World Conference was attended only by the national delegations representing 181 States and the representatives of the NGOs. Its agenda was the Draft platform for Action a 362 paragraph document consisting of a collective presentation of national reports prepared by each country.
Cont... fage 3
Pravahini Vol.3No.1

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These reports gave a review of the progress made by women in reference to each country, with an analysis of what remains to be done and the obstacles in the way of certain areas where women had not reached equality. The final document was drafted as an appraisal of women's progress since the forward looking strategies for the Advarncement of Women was adopted at the 3rd UN World Conference in Nairobi in 1985.
The Platform for Action sought to speed up the removal of obstacles to women's full participation in all spheres of life and recognition of the crucial role of women. It listed 12 critical areas of concern identified as poverty, education, health, violence, armed conflict, economic structures, power sharing, and decision making mechanisms to promote the advancement of women, human rights, the media, the environment and the girl
child.
A poem by Fili and sung at Beijing, v . the final li
ർസ്ലെയറുീ4ലd 92/47ade aéoat %l.4eരl4ലold
ൾdർഗ്ഗർലlde; ീർlefയെല്ലേ
%ഴുeഃdebly.
%ഴ്സeർജ്ജു ബ്രേരൂർ ീർp്രമല്ലേ ? /fied
%ല്ലേ Aas yکover 24 /lയരല്ലേ
ിdർജ്രyot ിuffeരർou 9eace tete-asceays
%//ኔረ/e” ജല6രeരl; 9//ee see edia گe اگر
Pravahini Wol. 3 No.1,
 
 

The sections of the draft enclosed within brackets accounted for 60% of the document and these were the areas of dissension which resulted in much discussion and debating to formulate the document for adoption. Among these topics were Women's rights as human rights, rape is a war crime and Women's unremunerated work. What seemed to be the main problem was the "progressive advancement of the rights of women and the conservative currents which are increasingly gaining in strength throughout the world". Eventually the Platform for Action was adopted. The challenge now lies with the women to see the implementation through demanding their governments to take the responsibility for
action against inequalities and discrimination wit' regard to women.
pino Susan Magno was put to music with women in the audience putting in ne in their own languages.
04,
4ർലgർ
4/lരlീർd(
ീബ്രു
രീരർധൈര്
attas a reorda Adamday
rezoo24azo
744
usa e
مج44 برنگ
Areams'Aa2 assiny
(ange Y Øፉቇረ
ല്ല

Page 4
At Beijing
The Women said.
Gertrude Mongella, Secretary General of the
"Action speaks louder than words"
AUNG SAN SUU KYI, (Nobel Peace Prize Wii movement)
Tolerance
"It is a wonderful but daunting task that has fallen on the greatest concourse of women (joined by a few br to try and voice some of the common hopes which fi
It is not enough simply to live and let live; genuine the point of view of others; it implies broad minde ability to meet new challenges without resorting to truly confident of their own worth women are not listened to with respect, they are given their rightful
Mainstream Voices on Alternative Praxis
Hilary Clinton, First Lady, United States of America
"I believe that on the eve of a new millennium it Beijing, and the world to hear, that it is no longer a human rights. These abuses have continued beca history of silence. Even today, there are those who human rights when women are denied the right top to have abortions or being sterilised against their will
Nafis Sadik Executive Director of the UN Popul practics.
"We must ot bend under the weight of spurious argu worth the name supports the oppression and enslave is to provide a frame work for human well-being."
From the Diversity Tent of the Latin American and C
"Wake up, planet Earth....and listen to the voice of

4th World Conference on Women.
nner and a key figure in Burma's pro-democracy
me to say a few words by way of opening this forum, ave men) that has ever gathered on our planet. I want mly unite us in all our splendid diversity.
tolerance requires an active effort to try to understand dness and vision, as well as confidence in ones own intransigence or violence. In societies where men are merely tolerated, they are valued. Their opinions are place in shaping the society in which they live."
s time to break our silence. It is time to say here in
|cceptable to discuss women's rights as separate from
use, for too long, the history 器 women has been a
) are trying to silence our words. It is a violation of
lan their own families, and that includes being forced
ation Fund denounced involuntary family planning
ments invoking culture or traditional values. No value ment of women. The function of culture and tradition
aribbean Women Beijing.
your women" Cont. Fage 5
牲 Pravahini Vol.3 No-1

Page 5
Maureen Reagan, daughter of Ronald Reagan (forme "We women have spent the 20th century finding ou speak for women who have no voice, who are still vo
Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF whi NGO Forum says. "Girls are beginning women. The key to UNICEF po other work we do is education of girls."
NGO Forum ends with accolades of success "Women came here with their own power and go ba world."
Boutros Boutros-Ghali, UN Secretary General in his,
"Women are the key to development in every dime
every woman on earth. When the rights and hopes c human society come to benefit."
The Cats Eye Column
We are very happy to see feminist discourse in the mainstream media, in Sri Lanka. It was an obsession for so long in the mainstream media, that they ridicule, belittle and indulge in non-academic critique of the feminist praxis.
Perhaps Cats eye in the Island is a healthy signal that the alternative is moving into the mainstream. This column covers a range of subjects with a breadth of vision and the in-depth though, short and precise analyses are an indication of the interest and concern for women's issues on the part of the contributors. We hope that this column lasts.
Pravahinivol.3 No. 1 i

r President U.S.) r voice. We must spend the 21st century using it to iceless."
ch was involved in more than 25 workshops at the
licy, key to our work at the Forum and key to all the
fick home with the power of women from all over the
message to the world conference on women said.....
‘nsion. Equality, peace and development must reach if women in all these fields are advanced, so will all
Freedom of Association
We understand that the Government has proposed certain amendments to the Voluntary Social Service Organizations Act.
The original law empowers the Minister to appoint a Board of Inquiry in case of allegations of fraud or misappropriation and refer such reports to appropriate authorities for action in accordance with the law.
The amendment now before Parliament, as we see it,poses a serious threat to freedom of association and to the autonomy of NGOs. ...
NGOs should be responsible and accountable to their members, funders and other appropiate persons and institution since under the existing law there are means to deal with instances o fraud and corruption.
The recent developments seem to betray a lack of understanding on the part of the government of the role of NGOs and a hostility towards their automous functioning, despite claims to the contrary by government spokespersons.

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A Training Course
The inter cultural course on women and society was Scholasticas College, Manila Philippines from Sept. from fourteen countries of the Asia Pacific Region, three months study programme was based the womer movements, visions and strategies for change, inclu module facilitators (Filipino) for each module and th was quite informal at the sessions where the partici methods was used. The modules were Women an Health, Women and Education, creative facilitation : followed by an exposure programme where it was different parts of the country. Finally the participant disseminate the knowledge gained to empower wome
WERC Publications and Pr
Sthreevaadhi Dharshana - a Sinhala Translation of Dil
English Nivedini - December 1995 Vol.3 No. 2
Contents include :-
Dilemmas of A Transformative Research deal Refuge Women in Contemporary Sri Lankan Tami Fiction: A St Prostitution - Maureen F. Seneviratne, * Nationalism Refigured: Gender and Contemporary Po
Nivedini (Sinhala) Vol. 2 No. 2
What is Gender Women and Law
Feminism Women's rights in the family What is Women's Liberation? Women who gathered in Beijing
Nivedini (Tamil) Vol. 2. No. 2. Violence against women is the main theme of the Tami the special attention of the UN Rapporteur for Violence in this issue.
Two articles, which ook at the Cultural Construction of the alternative image appear in this issue. The first was
other is on how the Royal noble patriarch of the Mahat
ravati Karve (Translation).
The special feature of this issue is the various protest

s conducted by the Institute of Women's Studies, St. amber to December 1995. Eighteen participants came and others from Sweden, Africa and Germany. The 's situation, Analysis of women's issues and women's ding skills training and action planning. There were he course was conducted in English. The atmosphere pants sat on mats on the floor, and the participatory d Religion, Women and Mass Media, Women and and Module making, and Feminist theories. This was possible to meet women in different situations in 's submitted an action plan to show how they would in in their own countries.
Kumari Wickramasinghe
emma of Theorics by Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran
as and Resettlemen in Sri Lanka. Joke Shrivers
dy of Three Novels - Sitra Maunaguru/ The Business of Child
oular Cinema - Tejaswini Niranjana
il issue of Nivedini, and we are submitting this issue for Against Women. The testimony of a woman is included
the Hindu women which betray both the hegemonic and S on the Tamil Hindu Saints by Rajam Krishnan and the baratha, Bhisma devalues womanhodi. This article is by
statements issued by women on contemporary gender
Cont...fage 7
Pravahinivol.3No. 1

Page 7
PROJECTS
Research
Female Headed Households in Sri Lanka Emerging Ethnic Conscience of the Up-Country Tamil
Child care
Christmas Bazaar, a Christian organisation of foreign ful the multi-purpose building in Obeysekerapura, whichw community centre.
Workshops
In August a one-day Workshop for Training of Trainers w In December a one-day Workshop was conducted on Fe Show "Leaves and Thorns' - an award-winning film on vi
Library
New Arrivals Fighting Forces, Writing Women: Identity and Ideology i Author: Sharon Oudtitt
Routledge, London (1994)
The author examines the traumatic nature of women's ( structures they confronted and engaged with, in orde book will be of interest for women's studies, literature a
Social Psychology: Shaping identity, thought and conduc Authors: Michea Kailand Chad Gardon Allyn and Bacon, Boston (1992)
An introductory textbook with a variety of sub-sections : the self, negotiating reality with others and socially struc graduate and postgraduate levels.
Historiography in a time of ethnic conflict:Construction Gunawardena Social Scientists Association, Colombo (11
Essays based on ethno mationalism and historiography ( history.
Television: The critical view Editor: Horace Newcomb (5th ed) Oxford University Press, New York (1994)
A collection of papers on contemporary academic televi types, what television means to people, and how it diffe studies/television programming.
Library Service - Weekdays & Saturdays 8.30 to 4.30p Books, periodicals, video-cassettes and documented in Tamil. .
areas: social sciences including women's studi
A . . . / Q. A
* # 1 - • عنه . فيه
Pravahini Wol. 3 No. 1

and its implications
ders has continued support to enable usto complete ill serve as a pre-school cum day-care centre and
as conducted by Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran. minism and its Social implications followed by a Film olence against women in South India.
n the First World WAr
xperience during the great war and complex ideological r to legitimate their positions in the public world. This nd also study of history.
Cf
such as the social pattern of experience and thought, tured psychologies. A useful reference source for
of the past in contemporary Sri Lanka Author: R A LH }95)
fSri Lanka, dealing with two distinct phases of our
ion criticism. The essays are on specific programme 's from other media. A useful resource b00k for media
wspaper clippings are available in English, Sinhala &
es, History and Mass media

Page 8
Brooms SL Promotions
It is a cool day. The family is at rest and in a happy work.
Within a few months they can start the renovatio1 daughter will bring into the family purse.
The parents started to discuss the details of the renov achievements and usefulness.
At this moment the son aged fifteen walked into the c the compound with an ekel broom.
The mother is painfully shocked at this sight. She yel
"You stupid idiot boy, what are you doing there? Ha broom?" all -
Momentarily, the boy seemed convinced of the ratio throwing away the broom he stepped in.
Instantly his face expressed a dubious thoughtfulness "Sister, have you even seen your mother going out to
Perhaps the parents are convinced of the new logic
() () () () () {
* Mrs. Rose Sinnethamby left WERC in August. We * Kumari wickramasinghe attended the Intercultural
at St. Scholastica's College, Manila, Philippines Sel * Congratulations to Thilaka and Mr. Wasantha Hera * An evaluation of WERC activities was carried out t
Directors * We welcome ...... - Mr. Primal Malawarachchi - Accounts Assista - Ms. Deepthi Wickramasinghe - Administrative As - Mr. Paul Senadipathy - Administrative AS - Ms. Carmen Niranjala Peiris - Computer Assista
 

mood too. The daughter has just got a promotion at
of the house with the additionaal money that the
ation plan. The daughter looked on delighted with her
ompound, and started to clean it. He started sweeping
ls out
ve you ever seen your father, sweeping or handling a
hale. He nodded his head as if accepting the logic and
. He turned to his sister and asked office and getting promotions?"
OW.
X 0 00 00
thank her for her loyal service. course on women and society ptember to December 1995. th who were married in August. by the staff of WERC and submitted to the
t sistant sistant
WOMENS EDUCATION & RESEARCH CENA 58, Dharmarama Road, Colombo - 6.
Pravahini Wol. 3 No. 1
Printed by Karunaratne & Sons Ltd.