கவனிக்க: இந்த மின்னூலைத் தனிப்பட்ட வாசிப்பு, உசாத்துணைத் தேவைகளுக்கு மட்டுமே பயன்படுத்தலாம். வேறு பயன்பாடுகளுக்கு ஆசிரியரின்/பதிப்புரிமையாளரின் அனுமதி பெறப்பட வேண்டும்.
இது கூகிள் எழுத்துணரியால் தானியக்கமாக உருவாக்கப்பட்ட கோப்பு. இந்த மின்னூல் மெய்ப்புப் பார்க்கப்படவில்லை.
இந்தப் படைப்பின் நூலகப் பக்கத்தினை பார்வையிட பின்வரும் இணைப்புக்குச் செல்லவும்: Pravahini 2005.01

Page 1
Is Tsunami the disaster
Many are in deep sorrow after the Tsunami, Thë i. catastrophe lasted only for a few minutes, but has left" an ill pact that would last for years. So ille people feel that even though Tsunami has destroyed the lives and livelihood of thousands, it has also proved that nature". does not mark-out humans and affect thern accordingly, Natl. I just came with force and washell away people regardless of their age, class, ethnicity, or religion, within Iuniu tes. Before the power of Nature human "ت" intelligencē. human Problems, human inventions and hu māņpovēr ууere all proved futile,
Hov eyểr, Sri Lanka had to be proud of its citizens pմta united effort, to relieve those affected. Everybody got together lo contribute and help the : affected; this proved that Tsunami did not only wash away human lives ind livelihoOdybtftalsø man-made demarcations that Nimans had been living with frr long in Sri Lanka. No one was bothered where their Contributions went, all that latter cd for the Inn was whether their contributions reached the affected and helped them in some manner,
While Inost of Lis are Praising tille united effort of all the people and the heroism of those who had tried to rescue people when the tidal waves rushed in, the recent reports about the affected people seems to send a shock wave through us. One of the most common reports from these areas is that the relief goods do not reach the affected; they are either robbed on the way to the refugee Canlps or are lever sent to the refugee callips. -- These are all under hand activities, which a normal s huillan being cannot perceive as possible. These are . activities that have been exposed to society in some it way, however the more painful incidents that : been kept well under cover are the sexual abuse and trafficking of women and children. It is indeed very painful trying to understand how humans can act in such unsympathetic and inhuman manner towards anotherhuman being and at a traumatic situation like
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PRAWAIINI 2005 Wol. 21 NO. I
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

or the aftermath of it?
prevent his from continuing, and make the women ill these camps aware of their rights and ability to go out there and face the World without the help of men. Women these seas ideo villages have so far heen sticking tỏ the stereotypical image of Innen being the breadwinners and themselves being secluded to the houses. They have rarely had the opportunity to go out intö the World and face challenges since girlhood. These Women having been seclude to their houses now wait in dismay, W Lilnerable to exploitation by certain males. These women, having been continuous dependents on one or the other male family member, feel that they have no other option, but to give-in to the requests or rather demands of these strange men. The government and Women'sorganisations should make immediate intervention and take steps to rehabilitate these women and change their mentality, They should be given counselling to overcome their fear about their future and disgust towards life that has been caused among most people by Tsu nami. Plus they should alsk) be given some sort of skills training to face challenges in life and take-up the responsibilily of being the bread winners for themselves a id:lheir famílies. They should be made aware of their talents and abilities within themselves to fightlife alone.
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Page 2
The Birth of Worthe
How March a He to be women's history ill: ['th. . . .
The evolution of March as Wortle's History Month is a story with lay points of origi, Tin-linear Illa Tratives, qCorripeting ca en da T5 a Tid claims and a dem Lucome il dos sonic irony.
lt begins, n1 est likely ir 1908 with the Socialist Party of the Unilcd States organizing a Women's CITI liittelo artilpaign for Worren's suffrag. A year later, it March 1909, 'Im cvoted to b{xth the cause of labor and the cause of women led air uprising of thousands of garauent industry workers in New York City.
The alliance of militant working women and women's righls advocatcs inspired a Gerular Socialist Ilamiod Clara Wiktkin and à Russian textile worker Inauled Alexandra Kollo Italito leclarean linternational Women's Day in 1911. By 1913, the date was fixed as March 8th. (I that late in 1917, another uprising led by women, this ille in the Russian city of St. Petersburg stard the czar to abdicate. March 8th beca inc' a holiday to honor n() f only women's labor, but women's role in thic Relwallu tir ath.
Over the years and around the world, March 8th took I (ifferenl meaniTgs, In sce years, it wasan accasion for organizing against Illilitaris Ill and war. In the la ter 1950s, it was often tle date af fcmale-led anti-nuclear protests. At the same time, March 8th was a rallying point for the demands of workers. By the late 19605. as women's liberation was spreading in the United States, many radical feminist discovered, rediscovered or decided to honor the revolutionary w mier and all c d ft T a II A. Inę Tical re v i väl i f International Worlet's Day. An activist calling herself aura X, who had started a Witler's History library, organized a march in Berkeley, Qalif., con March 8, 1969. The marchers dressed as historicaicharacters; she was a cross bctween Alexandra Kollontai and the dancer lsada Hra Duncarı,
ly the 1970s, pressured by women's groups, International Wonlen's Day became broader in scope and }fficial in naturo. "I'he United Nations began spons tyring it in 1975. In 1981, the Inc. w Mlational Women's Isistory Project in Northern California, aramong other groups, succcssfully lobbicord ('kar gross t() declare a natiunal Women's History Week in the days around March 8th. By 1987, the seck, lecanica month
Along the way, the working class, socialist, grassroots underpinnings of the holiday sell away and the .
2

's History Month
forus in till " " : " . :::* .L Sta tcs la Tgul y beca me the" CtLLLLaKaLLLLLt tL aaLLSGaat tESLLLLLLaLLS LetLLLLLLLLES LLLL 000S presidential statement for international Women's [)ay hera ded ”the advent f democracy in Irat and Afghanistan" and even the Department cof Defense joins in, h-in () ring worner in the military on its Web site in March,
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WERC Women's Day Programme for year 2005
WERC celebrated the World Women's Day 2005 together with cleven school children from various private schools - St. Peter's College, Harrow International School and Holy Family (orvent. This was 3 programme introducing CEDAW to schoolchildren. During the last few weeks there was a kind of Anti-CEDAW ConvertIOr of Elimination of fiscrimination Against Women Campaign in the newspapers, whicht atte "ped to Connect CEDAW with means af bringing 1r tibeTaliŠátiůn Čl konti fyrtion laws. We wanted to show the sung people that CEQAY contains. Tugh Terc than just this issue, and that the regt gf CÉDAh, is urquestionably impor lant Iar the development of both Ten and women, and also for the dawn of a peaceful society.
By the end cf the day WERCstaff patted themselves in the back for a successful sensitisation programme, which will take Sri anka towards a change çf attitude in relation to Yo Men's i55.Jęs and also elimitating the ugly practice of patriarchal domination.
We Would iketa pay Special Credi: iç Father Rector çİŞL, Pete's College for sending the prefects for such a programme. hike many of the other Boy's Schools were apathetic and indiflerest and reluctant to accept our invitation, he was broad-Tinded to send the prefects of his school,
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Page 3
s- Matters that woul
Swedish Parliament debates wife beating
A group of Swedish politicians has decided to hit men w society of abuse against Wçı e11. This ilecisi kırı Was made increased almost 40 per cell during the nineties and th year.
One of the several female MPs who had signed the a gigantic Social problem and costill men's violence lov be paici. She als 3 says that mell should Linders Land Lihat
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New laws against Domestic Violence Y
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Warious forms of clonestic violence including aH LLLLmLLtm LLLLaLK LLLLLL LL LLL LLLLtLtLLL LLLLLLLLS Preposed new laws against donestic violence. The person towards who II thic act of domestic violence has been, or is likely to be cc)mmitted, has Lo make an application to the Magistrate's Court for a protection order, for the prevention of such act of domestic violence. Upon consideration of the application, if the Court decides to issue a Protection Order, after considering the evidence before it, the person who is accused of coill Initting the acts of violence will be prohibited from entering a residence or another place shared by a person and the aggrieved party, as well as entering the aggrieved party's residencC. place of employ Inc. It or school.
It will also prohibit any attempt being made at contacting the aggrieved person in any manner whatsoever or committing acts of wilence against any ther person whether it be relative, friend, social worker or medical officer who may be assisting the aggrieved Party.
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According to the Association of British Insi !ኻኅ'ù greater risk than men of suffering poverly in their olda saving at all for retirement. The researches found that 1 million annong therll yw C Tce Tot Sawing at all. Among those main reasons why they do not save for a - providing for their children rather than td's motherly instinct of women paves way [Car t
PRAFAHIN DO 5 Wo. 1 NO 1
 
 
 
 
 

ilhı il ddımı estic wikil:Tıq:(: Eax, ilı order to pay for the costs to after recent reports revealed that violence against women tL 00 LL S00 LLLLLHLHaaaLL LLL LLLLLLLL LLLL rLtaLa L L HLELLLLLLL aaLLLL
motion says that it must be Illade: clear to all that we have wards women and it must be discussed how it is going to
they have a collective financial responsibility,
Legal refacms in Morocco
Morocco has effected broad legal reform 鸭 that includes the following
amendments to the cited provision:
Scction 418 — A mi tiga ting circ. Limstance obitains in cases of In urder, injury or beating committed by Ont: 5polise against the other spouse, When either party is caught in flagruII te delict () committing an act of infidelity.
While Equality Now welcomes the revision of law to eliminate explicit dis Crimination agains l wo Illen, Morocco, together with other governments, committed in Beijing Platform to “censu te equality and nondiscrimination under the law and fr) practice " (emphasis added). The new law, while neutral on its face, may contin Le to be appliecil in a way that discriminates against wo illen by Initiga ting punishment for offenders who are all, or almost all, men who have killed wonne11 in so callel
"honour" killings. لر
of poverty in old age'
ing enough for their pension and are at the ABI 36% of working womem were mot million people were not saving enough for old age and 8 not saving at all an estimated 56 8. are worlen. One of the a their low pay. And women also give more priority to a tirell (Ilt. It is indeed wery painful to scs: how the natural I crability.

Page 4
Violence and Discrimination a
Sri anka and in our n!
Granddaughter raped by the two Grandfathers
Hawe the cultural and social wallues of cur society decay.cd so badly? Na Eicu mai Child l’rotection Authority (NC1'A) officers are on the hunt for two grandfathets who are alleged to have sexually all used their 13 yearold granddaughter. This was revealed before Colombo Chief Miagistrate and Additional District Judge. The victim's mother, Trip foyed in the Middle East, had left thic child in the care of the Wo Seeis (one her own father and the other that of her husbands) at their hane in Pannipitiya. According to the victinia's statement, the two had abused the child sexually for several days.
Sex Workers, Men & AIDS in India
After having had acid thrown on her face by a .
spurned løver, chilli pow der shoved inside her during a gang rapi: athil noney stolen by police, AsaTa says she knows one thing; "I am very put of by men." And she is met alone in India's premier high tech city. Banga orc, whgre an estinatad 25, 10 sax workers who area in Ig tht highest at risk for E (IW infectil also façE: bpEra Eiring, ràpire ård extertion froIII police, illowers, husbalds and ridics. Sara at least found a little safety with a grup of sex workers il Bagalore called Swati Mila hila Sangha (von Insen's figuru IIn} who) PorroIIneste condam EuSe a 5. YY'ell as challenge police årrešts for soliciting. Of the dozen Women who let in January to discuss their li yığış, tlı eir 5 tries were If 3 kili — 2012 EEtHLL HHHLSttEL tHELEHLSL LLEEG LLLLLL LLSH 0LLS S LaL LH S deserted sportatud rap. 2d her with {ut ca Titicom 5, a Tıçbher tolci (få lycyfriend who lured her to the city atnd sold her as a sex worker, Getting women like this to organise is critical in India to provent the spread of Eil W. India has five million people infected with Hl W. The won (In say getting police to help instead of hinder thern would be a big first step. Sex workers in Bangalore allege police extort molly II Tilder sertion of the millo Tai Traffick Prevention law for acts like dropping their 'pallu" (ga FIle: it covering the upper body) - which can lead lo a fine of 500 rupees or three months in jail, The women say they of tell instead pay a bribe or worse get raged by police officers who also steal their money, However, top officers deny these allegations.
Child trafficking, sexual abuse on the increase
The shicking incidents of Sri Lankall woTTerland children being trafficked for sexual slavery within the country and abroad were revealed. A hundred out of every thousand children are affected by trafficking.
斗

gainst Women and Children in eighbouring country
Migrant women are sometimes trafficked into Arab countries. The reports say that a number of children are also trafficked to West Asian countric:5 as Cannel jockeys and for other purposes. Women and child bureau of the police department reports 1082 Cascs of child abilise up to June 2004. Of this, 437 cases were of rape, 179 of sexual abuse and 108 cases related to child trafficking. Ratnapura District had reporled the highes
rnumber of aclı ild allou 52 jını xidd2ı t5. () if thı (: 78 (zağ?! reported 36 were of sexual abuse and 7 of trafficking. Anuradhapura Iistrict with 32 reported cases of child abuse corres thext. A total of 28 cases of child abuse had been reported from the Colc Inhc listrict. Elinnirmaticorn of traffirkirmyg depends on Edeilltifying and elimirating the Iskyt La Lise yhH:h is pavirty. according t). Certain Scholars,
No Girls Please
ln 1991, aot a single district in India had been rectrded with a Child sex. Tạtịg Kof less thăm 8[]Ủ- ln 2001, there were 14. In 1991, only one district recorded a child sex ratio zfbetween 8Ü0-849. In 2001 this Tumber hai risen tu 3 I. At the other crd of the 51;<Tu 11 iT1 991, 2 districts had a child sck ratio ( ), (T 1... li. 21, only five districts were in this rang. In other words, while the Tumber of districts with aly's tally lots' claid sex ratic is decliring. The Inadness is calching sa Tl. There is naty substantial data that Tevrals Ehat priva të as well as government facilitics ar: usic for sexselective abortions despite the laws that prohibit it. Reports also shawl that apart from abortions, if a female child is born despite all efforts to ensure that this does no happer, the baby is a har da T1Ered at the doorstep of hospitals. This has been locumented in Punjab Surveys in Haryana and Puljab have revealed that simi is 111 et uncly besiccid that if their TĻIT bersi d'Elie, thir WällųE Would irilor casc because men will not find brides, Iristica di Inc:n arc buying brides from other states for as little as Rs.5,000 (in Haryana a buffalo costs Rs. 40,000). These wallen are available for all mell in the fallily. I stead of being walked, women arc bc.coTiling targets {f lifetice in dislricts with the lowest sex rati(xš. The most danlniilg aspcot of all this is that surveys Teveal that ever highly educated womcrn in Delhi have TEesrted tim às TTYarmy as eight abortions to ensure that they only give birth to a Son. Ff tot educatio11 what could IElake fe ITales
are educated the cultural stere types that are embedded in thr rather forcc.d into them by Society makes heir education Ineaningless and worthless for their fitur,
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Page 5
A TRIBUT
It is a few months since Regi passed away, and an appreciation about him may be too late now. But it is never Loo late to leavic behind a few words of ories feelings and thoughts to posterity about a great man, Regi was a unique person, he was simple, unassuming, gentle and always soft-spoken. Although fra il and weak in his
appearance, he had a weight within himself. He knew many languages and Was a dept at the Ill with a flair for A. precision and clarity of expression. He
was an art critic, film critic and literary
critic; he was also a scriptWriter. Being
an expertin many fields did not diminish his qualities of talent and expertise. He was equally at ease with all of the Ill. He wrote on National politics but international politics was also his forte, II is scholarship was impeccable. He could effortlessly combine creativity with politics.
Bu t do I write a b c ut him because of his scholarship? No. There are many who could make claims of schola Tship, but Regi was different. His greatness was testified by the fact that a few of the Tamil writers who write exclusively in Tamil journals and newspapers, could not but pay tribute to him in Tamil. One UK based writer, (Jamuna Rajendran) in an Indian journal called Uyir mai — another coine in a Tamil Marxist Column-entered into a debate with a Non-Marxist Writer who had referred to Regi as a Humanist who has gone beyond Marxism. I do not want to enterinto this debate. It is merely to mention the impact Regi had on such writers, both Marxist and Non-Marxists. Terial a small unconventional newsletter like quarterly paper published in Jaffna had referred to Regi as a great man and an hønest Marxist and marks his contribution to art and politics and how the Tamil community benefited by reading the translations of his work into Tamil.
Beside the literary genius and his intellectual and creative powers, the Political man in Regi has appealed to these writers. His uncompromising stand on the ethnic questions and his uncritical condemnation of the betrayal of the Left on the language issue has been remembered by these Tamil writers as worthy of comment in a World of political opportunism and bargains in the power game,
PIRAWAH IN I 2005 Wol. 21 NO. I
 
 
 
 

E TO REGI
A highly principled and a great humanist as he was, I had to make a little detour into the personalhe edited my manuscripts. There is a fixed rate for editing - per page - the editors would first tell me their rate and stand by it, but Regi never discussed monetary rates with me. And to my
need not be edited, and he added, you Write well without mistakes. Though it satisfied my ego a bit I felt redeemed. Many years ago my father told me that I didn't write well, and that I didn't Write good English as one of my brothers. This was a deeply felt hurt, and Regi exonerated W me. But above all this, what enaltoured Ille was his statement that I do not have to pay for some of the pages because he did not have to correct them. His payment he insisted was for the actual labour of correcting and not for the time he spent reading them anyway, Does it mean he has understood the labour theory of value? Or is it because he is an un tarnished (by the capitalist values) humanist? Yes Regi appealed to me in many ways.
In conclusion I can say that I cannot wish that his soul attains Nirvana or that he attains peace in the next birth. He believed neither in a soul nor rebirth. Let us wish for ourselves that we have many more Regis in the future, so that the world will be a better place to live, for the future generations.
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Page 6
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Nobel Peace laureate declares War
Among the 34 women who have won the Nobel Prize Wangari Maathai is the first African Woman to have been awarded the prize for her great contribution to preservation of the environment in her country. Basically, the Green Belt Movement of which she is the Inowing spirit has changed the lives of people in Africa in many ways, apart from being a highly successful plantation project. Women environmentalists have long been doing a great job in many countries and Maathai's winning the prize is recognition of not only her own service, but also that of all the women, across the globe, who have been nurturing the environment with notherly affection. Maathai says her war against those polluting the environment has not yet ceased.
Afghanistan's only Woman presidential candidate
Masoo da Jalal, the only woman to contest Afghanistan's landmark presidential election, has surprised watchers with her fifth place in the vote count, placing her ahead of 13 men, However, the trailblazing paediatrician believes that if it were a fair, free and democratic election without Illoney or military influence, she would have been the victor. The 41-yearold Inother-of-three's performanceasa paediatrician and the first female presidential candidate is already a victory for a female in an ultra-conservative Afghanistan, where their families forbid many women from voting and most are expected to maintain a low profile. The first lady candidate rightly claims that she las broken a traditi (), and Created hold Lur and wa||Lles to women of Afghanistan. They are not 'nothing" any illore in the patriarchal society,
Sri Lankan born young author listed in America's "Who's Who'
India's bestselling Sri Lankan Computer Science author, Anushka Wirasimha, has received honorary inclusion into America's prestigious "Who's Who' for her contribution to Science and Engineering. The over hundred year "Who's Who list' is an internationally famous historical record of the names of today's most influential and extraordinary men and women from a Tourid the globe, whose a chievements ha ve significantly shaped the people of today and whose
།──།། ༼དེ།།
- Women Arou
efforts are advancing human knowledge. The

d the World -s.
stringently selected names considered worthy of inclusion for permanent international record comprises the world's foreillost innovators, discoverers, scientists, the men and women leading today's scientific and technological Tevolution,
Sri Lankan teenager chosen for women's delegation to Africa
The 17-year-old Sri Lankan / American Insiyah Nomanbhoy studying in a leading school in California was selected by Save The Children, an International Charitable Organisation, to be a teen representative oil their Women's delegation to Ethiopia and Uganda. Iniyah had to compete with many girls to be selected for this delegation. In March 2004, Insiyah and her fellow students raised ST 7,000, for Save The Childr by doing a Multicultural Dance Benefit. That money was used to build a school with a well in Ethiopia in the Woliso District, Water the most basic of hull all necds, is a very scarce resource in Ethiopia, one of the poor est nations of the world. The responsibility of getting water for the family's daily needs falls on the young girls, and this can take up to 8 hours each day. Building a well in the school encouraged young girls to attend, and take their precious water home at the end of the school day. Girls attendance at a school with a well now equals boys. The purpose of the delegation is to have an open dialogue and learn ways to empower the poorest women of Africa, And Insiyah believes that "women have a primary responsibility for children and family all over the world. By giving the poorest women just a little help, whether in the form of money or information or goods or food or even wille, the Wom Il will 'saw. Ele children"
An actress who presents violence against Women in the international arena
Navomy Aakkarian, of Israel, has achieved great recognition through her one-mail (one-woman) shows about problems faced by women in the international society. Her acting and her themes are such that each woman who sees the drama recognises herself with the woman depicted in the drama, "Flowers are not" is a drama written and acted by Navotny, and she has staged this drama 800 times, including in India. This drama is basically about domestic violence women face in their everyday life. After every performance she has a discu55iIII With her audience about the drama, and this discussion always gathers her minore information
PRAWAHINI JENIl. 2005 WO I. 2 NO), 1

Page 7
for the drama, and the next perfor Illance would surely include the experience and information gathered from the previous post-performance-discussion, She started her career as a stage drama performer in 1998, when the Israel government requested her to perfor Illa oneman/woman show about domestic violence. And ever since that her life, her thinking her ideas about life and her aims in life have changed. She became aware of the most pitiful and painful experience women had at their homes only after she started performing. Thus, now her aim in performing is not profit oriented but mainly welfare oriented. It is also pleasing that her husband is so supportive for her demanding career.
Krishnammal and her Revolution: L.
Krishnanimal's story and its implications are worthy to be shared and disseminated as information to Pravahini readers. "Tillers should own the lands" is the policy of Krishnam mal Jehannathan. Her dream in life is to give land and houses for the poor tillers. So far she has frecci (),000 acres of land from the rich lando Winners and handed thcm over to the poor tillers, she has also built nearly 5,000 houses for these poor tillers. She is a doughly fighter fighting for a Cause,
She is in her eighties, but her spirit and her aim to serve the poor have not aged. She has been working, with and for these poor people for the past 35 years. It is the 1968 incident of Wen mani Disa ster that started her career as a social worker. In 1968, 44 Dalitpeople were burnt alive, by the rich landlords, for having asked for quarter measure of Tice as their pay,
She withstood hundreds of struggles against the landlords following the NonWiolence policy. Her husband is a Freedom Fighler, who also followed Mahatma Gandhi's 'A himsa' (No 1 - Wiolence) philosophy. At first the El landlords were not bothered about her, their attitude was that after-all she is a woman and could be ignored. But, she proved that even a woman could spearhead a revolution,
Her obstinacy to stand for the rights of the poor and her obstina cy to struggle to fulfil hier dreams, eventually led to her success. At first the landlords threatened her, then they tried to burn her, but she never ran for security, she stood her ground and faced them boldly, Her obstinacy and willpower surprised many and ultimately made them respect her, Some landlords even handed-over their lands willingly, to her, to be distributed among the poor Lillers. This is a victory for the non-violent struggle based on the principle of A hillsa
Krishna Ilm all has formed a community organisation called "Land for Tillers Freedom", this provides the security for the loans taken from the banks by the poor tillers to purchase lands. This organisation
PRAWAH INI 2005 Wol. 21 NO, 1
 

Exiled Bangladesh writer Taslina Nasreen
The doctor-turned-writer fled her country and settled in Sweden after her novel "Lajya" in 1994 earned her the wrath of Islamic fundamentalists in Bangladesh, In 2002, she was even given a one-year prison term in absentia on charges of making derogatory com Tinents about Islam in several of heT books. She currently travels across Europe and Asia to espouse the cause of women illiteracy and poverty in impoverished Bangladesh. The writer is now urging India to grant her citizenship, saying the country of her birth had "slammed the doors" on her possible Tetill TT
and Belongs to those who Work on it
has also formed computer centres, Ilat-weaving centres, spice powder packing unit and electrical and plumbing unit, to provide training and employment facilities for the villagers.
Krishnammal belongs to an era when Women would have been tied up by traditions forcing them to follow ideals, who would have played passive roles in Society and maintained low profiles in their families. Women would have felt it most un traditional even lo raise their voice against men folk in their own households, But, Krishna Illinal scies to have had the courage to raise a revolution against a whole lot of landlords, and be successful too in her struggle. She had her own style of protesting, and her own group - the poor - to fight for, She proved to her society that men are not the only ones who could make history, women too make history "herstory." There are many women like Krishnammal in Indian History who have had a major role to play in India's struggle for Freedom. However, the uniqueness of Krishnammal's case is that she started her Separate struggle all alone and withstood it throughout the years dependent on her abilitics and willpower alone.
When she enters a village in the Nellai district everyone looks upon her as a respectful mother goddess, Her age has not hindered her from running her race in life. She still has so many plans to be implemented for the betterment of the poor, She promises to struggle for the betterment of the poor until ller last breath.
If a woman of traditional and patriarchal society could be so assertivo, how come some women in the present days, when most women have the opportunity for education and to maintain a better profile than men in their households, are not so assertive or revolutionary? This in a kes one wonder whether education and awareness about the legal rights alone could provoke the spirit for freedom within a woman, or is it something else that could make a woman become aware of her ability to revolutionise society and question the accepted norms of society. -

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Accki is No More
Accki who was with L1s at WERC for nearly ten years passed away irn December 2004 - the Wet toldus that her growth was malignant but the end came too suddenly. Chandrasena, ou T office assistant who fathers her, feeds her and takes her to the wet, on a Sunday morning came to announce Accki's death with sobs and tears, She had passed away in her sleep. I went to bid farewell to her, and then she was buried.
She together with her mother Wercie was the watcher at WERC. Accki was very intelligent and humane and was mischievous too. If there was a delay in giving her the share of the cakes and pastries that are often served in office, Accki takes the liberty and walks into my room and stays near my table, That is the way she complains and I can easily find out her grievances. When we feed her and if her mother Wercie was missing we had to only tell her "go and bring Wercie", and Wercie comes up the stairway in a minute. Accki is a good communicator. Ramiah who doesn't like dogs used to be harsh on them. Accki walks into my room and I could immediately know the reason, because Ranaiah Walks behind Accki to apologise. We all miss Accki's presence, her walking and her barking. Accki is very class conscious, and that is how she differs fro T11 Wercie. She would always want to sleep on a carpet, and protests if it is removed, but Wercie sleeps any where. When men and women walk into WERC with dishevelled hair, in dirty clothes or folded-up sarongs, Acckibarks louder and chases thern away, but not the strangers who are well dressed and well groomed!
We wish Accki to be reborn - if there is rebirth - into a family of dog-lowers.
ST
Calling for Volunteers for Tsunami Projects
Anyone interested in Contributing voluntary service for the Tsunami wictims are asked to forward their applications to Ms. Marini de Livera, WERC, 58, Dharmarama Road, Colombo C6, For further information Call Marini al Q 11-2595296. It is essential for the applitants to be fluent in either Sinhala or Tamil. Fluency in both the local languages would be an added advantage. The service provided by you would be entirely on voluntary basis,
H H H H a
 

An African American Revolutionary Poetess of the 19th Century
Here is a poem by a Black American poetess expressing or rather demanding the Society why she and women like her are not treated the way the White women are treated, or at least as human beings. It is indeed fascinating to see how advanced she is, for her time, in her views about women's rights. A twentieth century Tamil poet says that women would never win equal status with men until they see Women's rights as separate from human rights. Here is a lady who had a similar view, at a time of slavery
Ain't T a Worman
That Than over there say a woman needs to be helped into carriages and lifted over ditches and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helped me into carriages or over 1ud puddles or give me the best place.
And ain't I a woman? Look at Ene L00k at my arm I have plowed & planted and gathered in to barns and no man could head me.... ind ain't I a woman I could work as much a rud eat as much as 24 Tarı when I could get to it - and bare the lash as well. Andain't I a worman? 1 have borme 13 children arld šeen masr all 5 mld in to slavery and when I Cried Qut : ITIOther's grief none but Jesus heard me . . . "h, rd a irıʼt. I a wWorlı;iri? That little man in black there say a woman can't have as much rights
:13, 1 TՒ1i1i1 cause Christ wasn't a woman Where did your Christ come fr Corn? From God & a woman Man had nothing to do with hill if the first woman God ever Inade w:15 strong enough tơ turn the world upside down, all alone together worner aught to be able to turn it rightside up again.
Sajorrier Truth (1797-1883)
PRAWAHINI Jan. 2oo5 wol. 21 No. 1

Page 9
LIBRARY NE
Storylimes; conversations with Women writer5, ed. by Ammu Joseph & ol hers. (Eily derabad. As Tita Resource Critre for WII her 2003)
The intervic's in his will Tear the outcome of a series of workshops held with women-writers during 1999 to 2001, on the question of genderbased censurship and related issues. The writers in the anthology are among the best known and best le ved writers in lndia,
Between "radition counter Tradition and Heresy. ed, by Lotika Sarkai & others, (Delhi: Rainbow Fublishers, 2002)
The serica Lusly diverse collection of papers address issues such as legacies and features of women's studie's, a theory (of grassroots feminis, politics and practices within the family, kinship networks, maTTiage and neitherhood and ideologies that shape Wottlin's worlds.
Fxploring Confrontation: Sri Lanka Politics, Cultu Te and History, by Michael Roberts. (Switzerland: Harwood Acaderic Publishers, 1994)
This book is replete with rich ethnographic detski, ad serves as är exercise il o historical anthropology, which illuminates Sri Lanka's politic ai cultu Ta”.
Gender and Caste: Issues in Contemporary Indian
Feminism, Vol. 1, ed. by Anu Pama Rao. (New Delhi: Kali for Women, 2003)
This viume constructs ar archive of writing relating to gend crissues in India, and makes an important contribution to contemporary ferminist theory,
Ferninis im Without Borders: Decolonizing heurY Pragticing Sg lidarily, by Chandra T. Mohanty. (New I) FIhi: AuIbaları arm a55abciate of KaIi foT Women. 2003)
The author here offers a sustained critique of glob-a !isa, tiorn a nd images a reorio:Tita tio H1 ( of trans nation al feminist pràctice to wa Tids anticapitalist struggles

W ARRIVALS
7
Recovering Subversion: Fellinist Politics Beyond the Law, by Nivedika Menon. (New Delhi: Perrtarıe ıt Black, 2004)
This b{}uk Tunakes an argument about law and feminist politics. 1 is interdisciplinary in scope, straddling feminist and critical legal studies, political 5çience and waru a riist theory.
Queer: Despised Sexua Fity. Law and Social Change by Arvind Narrain. (Bangali Te: Books for Change, 2004)
This is an inaugural honograph based on the belief that the struggle for a bitter world fur (Leer Peuple has to be based not just on questioning the larger francworks of legal injustice, state intolerance and social indi iffcrĘnce, but als question ing and challcengiring igliorance, trisĊAJTL ciptions articl hätTed in our families, our schools and college and cur places if work.
Inside an Elusive Mind Prabhakaran, by M.R. Narayarna Swarry. (Colombo: Wijitha Yapa Publications, 2004)
Writte:Tl ill a lacEact style the book is an illustration of Tesource and metic Lulus researches. lt is a valuable refcrince book for the understanding of Sri Lankan politics and sere 55 ionist politics in South Asia. Tha: aut har lı Titags « Lut all ther rical-[if drama through lais nie ficululusly rescarchell a mLd lucidly written book,
Women in Panchayati Raj. ed., by Embrose Pinto & Ilelarik Reiffeid. (New Delhi: Indian Social Institute, 2001
This bok, deals with women’s Tole and empowerment, especia (Iy in Panchayati Raj lnstitutions. The book is the outcome of a two-day seminar (27" &28" of April 2000) hold at the Indian SociaF Institute ill New Tichi. lhe articulations Ulf issues by a ffer t'd worInc:n representatives in Panchayali Institutions have had inpacts on their role in both private and public sphere.

Page 10
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On Thursday the 24" of February 2005, a female soldier from the Palali Army Camp had taken a night bus from Anuradhapura to comune fico (colomb (). The buls had reached Colombo the next day by 4:30am, since there were no buses to Bambalapitiya at that tilne:
she had b c Cn advised by the driver and
conductor to stay in the bus until it was time. She had taken the advice and stayed in the bus. She had dowed off while waiting in the bus, lhe driver and the conductor had locked all the doors and tried to. rape, her, trying τον
use the opportunity for their advantage. The
woman immediately proved to thëni that she was not the usual type to be preyed upon. She had violently attacked them (st hild cv en blitt c:n Llucir ears and face). I he commotion and their screams had gathered a crowd around the bus. Then, with the help of thc people she had taken the two culprits to the Police. Now the two culprits have been
admitted to hospital with police security.
While men had not had the courage to pric glorious to see women to have taken the courag such a powerful Ima rinner. These Women-have actu, for men: This is a new trend indeed. What is t news? Both these incidents touch upon the issue begs the question whether women are taking te through another question - are Women compelle to protect their dignity and rights from being vi Mahatma Gandhi, apostle of non-violence, had nails to bite and scratch to attack the offenders
uncomfortable with the violence whether perp
----
.
I
 

to be preyed upon
| \, .i. air. I r:Ka'''. I ndia|
In the Tsunami affected Kumari District. of India, the usands of rope lakers, seashellsellcrs and limestonic labourers of 14 fishing villages were also affected. Thus the Central Government had diccided to provide thern relief. i lowever the relief Funds had not reached the really affected victins of Tsunami, T.M. K is accused of having distributed the relief funds among those known to them. Ön the 26" of February 2005, Ill Wrea Minister and Collector hati
出
Attended an Opening Cere Tony in a close by town. 2(M) women, from various fishing villages involved in rope-Tiniaking, seashell Industry- and linestone industry, with their babies had surrounded the Minister ind Collector demanding for their rightful share of the relief support. When the Minister and the Collector asked them whether they hadn't got the relief support they were allocated with, the women had raised a loud uproar. The two officials had slipped into the government office nearby to escape the angry mob. Then the women had blocked the entrance of the office saying that they would
not let the officials leave un til they gave å proper solution for their demands. Then the officials were compelled to face these people and own-up their mistake. L L SLL S L SLLLSL S SSLSS L SLL S LL SSLL LLL SLLL SSL SLL SLL SLL S SL L SLL L L SSLL S L SLL SL L SLL S L SLL SLL SLL
test for the in listice done to the Ill, it is indiced e and lead to demand for their rightful share in ally set al example for Men, and have led the way he moral of these two. events, which have made of violence in varied levels and significance. This violence and could the answer to this be given d τό, under the circumstances, regress to violence olated, ignored and despised. This brings to what say about how women can use heir tech and whó a t tempt το rape them. Yet, som chow we feel trated by men T ",""," III.
is ___________N 二三
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Page 11
Activities
Sinha la Conference
10th and 11th of March were special days for the WERC staff; they were all very busy with the Annual Sinhala conference. The theme of the conference was "Women's Contribution to Sinhala Cultural Productions." Ten specialists presented papers at this occasion these presentations covered a Wariety of areas to which women had contributed to, areas such as cinella, drama, lyrics etc. the discussions that followed the presentations were wery interesting. To put it short, the resource persons made this occasion a very special one, for all present.
Our Wolunteer Zarah Speaks about her experience
is might be the first volunteer
|working here om a one-year contract. Half my contract period is nearly over. The last six months was one of the most exciting experien │ ces in my life and so far ,"" : "","" : """ ہئیت قصے learned so I Lich about another Culture, about Social issues concerning especially women and last but mot least learned in Luch about myself.
Although I'm very young, was give responsibilities this made me feel that I was not here just doing something to keep me occupied. However this was the feeling expressed by most of the volunteers in other organizations.
in Sri Lanka Women Movements are very visible and active. Women Activists don't have to hide. They are proud to be Women,
My experience through attending the workshops WERC conducted was that men here are really interested in What the Women have to say about gender equality, and that they are Willing to change their thinking and their attitude if you tell them about the gender Concept.
The WERC Staff is really like a second family for me and I feel very comfortable at work,
A Talk on Ethnicity, Race and Nationalism by Dr. Selvy. Thiruchandran
This talk attempted to decipher and deconstruct terms such as Race, Ethnicity and Nationalism which have of: ten been misinterpreted and This used throughout the past decades for narrow political gain. Making these Concepts clear also involved drawing attention towards the myths behind most of these concepts.
PRAWAHINI 2005 WOI. 2, NO, I
 
 
 

International Conferences Attended by WERC Staff Members
49th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women - At Beijing +10 - Review Conference in New York 25
Our Executive Director Dr. Selwy Thiruchandran took part in this conference. And she submitted a paper on "Genesis of Wiolence the case of Trafficking of Worther in Sri Lanka"
Ecclesia of Women in Asia (EWA) 2004 Annual Conference held in Indonessa
Our Senior Project Coordinator Marini de Liwera represented Sri Lanka, and Wolten's Education and Reseārch Centre ( WERC) at this conference.
Staff Trip to Trivandram, India
Members of the staff made a three-day trip to Trivandru IT on the 16" of January 2005. They wisited bazaars and shopping arcades, and Tadc interesting purchases gar Tents, handicrafts arid Hooks for the library.
WERC representatives also wisited Sakhi - a Wortmen’s
Organisation in Triwan drun. Sakhi Teams “friend." The Executive Director and the Tembers of staff realised that WERC had a lot in COTimor with Sakhi, Ole Of the COTTO featurcs being the Well-equipped ResourcC contric. Th15.
"esource Centre also dis5ominates important policie 5 und documents of international and national importance to Women's group 5 in local language. Although WERC Was born long before Sakhi, which is a relatively young organisation born in 1996, this opportunity of meeting and interacting with staff Tembers of Sakhi opened new a wenues in the for I of ideas and concepts for the future projects of WERC. It appeared that Sakhi was an Indian Witsi) of WERC
WERC Auditorium For Your Next
O Seminar, O Workshop, CJ AWareness Programme, O Film show, O Meeting etc.
The WERC Auditorium offers you the following facilities
th. Fully air conditioned
Public Address System complete with Microphones and Ear Phones * Overhead Projectors
# Translating Unit
- TW and WCR Facilities - Magi and Flip Chart Boards
Recording facility
A seating capacity of 50 available with conference tables and an airy and spacious dining area to accommodate the same number, Meals, Tea could be supplied on request. 才ー
'

Page 12
FANNYA
SWA *
*
South Asian Feminist Research Association: Conference
SAFRA Conference for Year 2004 was held at the WERC Auditorium. The theme of the Conference was "Shrinking Space and Growing Threats - Tolles With 't-le liim"
Delegates from different South Asian Countric's were present at this occasion. Representatives fro 11 the different countries p Tesented their papors on this tlene. This conference w cnt con for three days — 4", 5", &ó" of Νς 1νιαIιbει 2004.
The last day's session ended with a play depicting gender-based violence in Sri Lanka, performed by some young talented School children.
Women's Educatio 58, Dharmaram Te, NO.: O11-2595295 Fax: 01
 
 

CAA Gender Sensitisation Workshops
These workshops hawe been conducted for people LLtLLLHH LLLLLLa LLLLLL0S SLLS LLL LLLLL LLHK SSLLLLLLLHLLLL Gender Sonsitisation Workshops for Lawyers, Teachers, Ma le NGO Persoññel, Police (Officio rs arid 5m00 | Prefects,
The topics covered in these workshops were as follows,
Concepts of Gender, Gender Based Wiolence, Women and Media, Dornestic Wiolence Bill
WERC is ook ing for Ward Ly con du, ting more awwarenes, prograf TT1 es like this.
Sinhala/Tamil Women's Studies Course
WERC has designed a 4 months certificate course in Women's Studi C5 co Tibining both theory and activism training a comprehensive strategy for social LLGHLtLLLLLaaLLLLLS LL LLLLLL LLLLLL aa LLLLLLLLLL LL LLLLLLLa 0S HHHHHS LSLLL S HHHL LLLLLLLHHHS LLLLL 0LHaK HLHLLLLLLL LLLL0LLLL Lmt LLLLL LLaaHaLK LLL LLLL SL00S S LG L aaa LuHLL LLaaLLH L Course has been planned for the end of 2005. The Course comprises of three months course work followed by one Tonth of research paper writing.
For further details contact Chadai at 595296
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Dictionaries/Encyclopaedils, Research Reports, Thesis/Directories Special Collection on Women's Writings in Sri Lanka Documentation News clippings on violence, suiciries, human rights FTA, LLSmHHSS LL LSLK LHHGaSS LKKL LLLL L
Documented Journal Articles EPW Feminism and Psychology, Rethinking History, Monthly Reyiew, etc.,
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and Research Centre, Road, Colombo 06. 25963 13 E-Mail: Womedre (Ostnet. Ik