Editor

Centre for Gender Equity and Equality, University of Jaffna signed an MOU with Women’s Education and Research Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka on 16^th of May 2023. The purpose of this agreement is to offer a certificate course in gender studies in tamale medium. This course will be offered through the collaboration between the Staff development Centre and the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality. Asia Foundation will take part as the financial sponsor for this course ‘certificate course in gender Studies’

The awareness program of Sexual and Gender-based violence (SGBV) and drug abuse was
organised by the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), University of Jaffna, in
collaboration with the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) at the Conference Hall
of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, on 27th of March 2023. There were 12 teachers
and 37 students from 13 schools in the Jaffna education zone participated in the awareness
programme.
The program was conducted as two sessions from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm. In session I, from 9.00 am
to 12.00 pm, awareness of drug abuse was explained to the audience through role plays and lecture
sessions based on the module. Mrs. Luxmi Kamalarupan, Senior Lecturer, Department of Nursing,
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Jaffna, and Dr. Thayalini Thiyakaraja, Director,
Centre for Holistic Healing, Jaffna, participated as the resource persons. During session II, from
12.30 pm to 3.30 pm, awareness about SGBV was carried out as interactive sessions with small
group activities according to the module. Dr. (Mrs.) D. Sangarathas, Senior Lecturer, Department
of Marketing, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Jaffna, and Mrs. T.
Thanushan, Lecturer, Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Management
Studies and Commerce, University of Jaffna, enrolled as the resource person for this session.
Overall, the awareness program was appreciated by most of the participants. Particularly, students
participated with more enthusiasm in role-play and small group activities. Students said they
understood the danger of drug usage and SGBV and further stated that it was fruitful. Most of the
teachers commented that these kinds of programs need to be continuously organised at the school
level, and they agreed to support the implementation of phase II of this program at their schools.

CGEE has organised a women’s day celebration on the 14^th of March 2023 in collaboration with the District Secretariat, Mannar, United Nations Development Programme, and OfERR Ceylon in Mannar District. Prof.S.Srisatkunarajah, Vice-chancellor University of Jaffa was invited as Chief Guest at this event. District Secretariate Mannar, Mrs A. Stanly D Mel Chaired this event. Ms.K.T.Thevarajah, Zonal Director, Mannar, Mrs.A.K.Volentine, Zonal director Maddu, Dr.Nishanthini Nadarajah, Director, District Hospital Mannar, were invited as Special Guest to this event. Mr.M.Sriskanthakumar, DS Nannaddan, Mr.M.Piratheep, DS Manthai West, Mr.K.P. Nishakaran , Ds.Mddu , and Mr.S.Rajeev DS Musali were invited as Distinctive Guests. Mr.Masanat Jesuthas Roche, Secretary, Urban Council, Mannar, Mrs.M.L.Selvarajah Guroosh, Secretary Provincial Council, Mannar, Mr.I. Sarvanantha , Project Coordinator CDLC, UNDP, and Mr.S.Sutharshini Project Manager, OfERR Ceylon were invited as Guest of Honours to this event. 20 senior women citizens recognised as social entrepreneurs who contributed to the social and economic development of the district have been appreciated with 10,000 rupees cash vouchers. 20 women who have been identified as successful women in the year 2023, were appreciated and honoured with valuable Trophies.  Prize winners of the school level competitions on drawings, poems and short articles were appreciated with certificates and cash vouchers. Cultural events such as welcome dances, drama, and songs were performed by the staff of the DS Mannar and other the Public. CGEE members, GA office staff, UNDP and OfERR staff and the public participated in this event.

https://www.jfn.ac.lk/gallery/cgees-mega-drawing-exhibition-and-awarding-ceremony/

Centre for Gender Equity and Equality, University of Jaffna conducted a Drawing competition among Sri Lankan Artists on the main theme’ Gendered impact of the Economic crisis of Sri Lanka’, and the fifteen sub-themes as Violence during the crisis, Food shortages, and poverty, Transportation difficulties, Increased unemployment, Education, Health and Nutrition, Gender Equity and Equality, Agriculture, and Home Gardening, Foreign currency deficiency and Local governance.  CGEE termed for drawings from September 2022. It received 1925 Drawings in six categories. There were 12 evaluators as drawing experts assessed these drawings.  All submitted drawings were exhibited for three days from the 24^th to the 26^th at the Library Auditorium from 9 am to 6 pm. There were many school students, staff and the public observed this exhibition within these two days.

The awarding ceremony was held on the 27^th of February 2023 at the library auditorium from 2 pm to 4 pm. Prof.S.Sristkunarajah, Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna, and Mr. Jude Walton  Project Manager UNDP, JSAC coordinator Mr.N.Sukirtharaj, and Prof. Shivany Shanmugathas  Director, GEE awarded prizes and certificates.  Awards were given to the best 50 drawings selected among the 1925 drawings. The ten best drawings which were selected to display at the local government offices were awarded as the top 10 drawings. Prize winners in the six categories of Primary (Grades 1-5), Junior Secondary, (Grades 6-10) Senior Secondary (Grades 11-13), Students over 18, Staff, and the Public were awarded Trophies. Prize winners from many schools in different districts participated in this awarding ceremony. The team of members from Valluvar Educational Development Forum, Delmar Middle Division, Halgranoya was appreciated for their dedicated participation in motivating the public to involve in this drawing exhibition. 12 evaluators and the co-partners UNDP and JSAC were also appreciated by the Vice-Chancellor for their continuous support during this drawing exhibition. Mrs.Vinothini, a visually challenged woman, and her team performed cultural programmes to embellish this awarding ceremony.  CGEE would like to thank its Vice Chancellor, UNDP, JSAC, CGEE members, university members, schools, CBOs, NGOs, Parents, and Children, who contributed to making this event very successful.

Centre for Gender equity and equality organized the event and invited all the members and staff to the global campaign to end the violence against women, girls, and the earth through artistic uprising on 14^th of February 2023 at 2.00 pm at the Library auditorium, University of Jaffna.

As part of this campaign, there are some competitions were organized by the CGEE in order to promote the artistic uprising to end the violence against women, girls, and the earth. Students and staff who are from the faculties of Arts, Science, and Management participated in this competition and won the place especially in poetry, singing, drawing, and essay writing.

On that event day, the Vice-chancellor of the University was invited as a celebrity guest. The CGEE director, chairman of the working committee, CGEE members, academic and academic support staff of the university, Library staff, students, and the public participated in the program. Staff from the faculty of Arts performed a poem on the title of the uprising in Tamil, English, and French. Students who are from different faculties performed the theme songs, and poems. Especially students from the faculty of Arts well performed the kaviyarangam the title of Violence against women moderated by Mrs. S. Arabi visiting lecturer, ELTC, University of Jaffna. Finally, the vice chancellor issued the certificate to the winners and addressed the event with felicitation.

As a part of this uprising to end the violence against the earth, a tree plantation was held at the university. Vice-chancellor, CGEE Director, CGEE members, staff, and students were gathered at the planting tree together near the library of the University. The event was very successful and ended up with a vote of thanks.

CGEE has organized a  workshop on 3rd of February to evaluate the 1925 drawings received for the competition. at this workshop, the prize winners are recognized by the 12 evaluators.

CGEE has organized an awareness session on Prevention, and Treatment for Breast, Cervical & Oral Cancer on the 19th of January 2023 at the Library Auditorium at 2 pm.  Dr.Santhosh Rajan Packiaraj, Dr. Arockia Mary Savarimuthu, Ms Jumani Kuttalanathan were the resource persons from Penn Nalam & Aan Nalam ,Unit of Dhanvantri Trust,  Men and Women wellness Centre, Dedicated Centre for Cancer Prevention and treatment, India shared their knowledge about cancer prevention and treatment.

`பொருளாதார நெருக்கடியின் பாலினப்பரிமானங்கள் `என்னும் தலைப்பில்   தமிழ் மொழியில் உரையாடல் ஒன்று 14ம் திகதி மார்கழி 2022  பெற்றது. இதில் செல்வி உதயனி நவரட்ணம், கலாநிதி அகிலன் கதிர்காமர், கலாநிநி லோகா பிரதீபன் ஆகியோர் வளவாளர்களாக கலந்து கொண்டனர்.  பால்நிலை ஒப்புரவு மற்றும் சமத்துவத்துக்கான மையத்தின் , கல்வி மற்றும் ஆராய்ச்சிக்கான உப குழுவானது மாதந்தோறும் நடாத்தும்  `பால்நிலை` பற்றிய கருத்தரங்கின் இரண்டாவது அமர்வாக இது நடைபெற்றது. சுமார் 65 பேர் இந்நிகழ்வில் பங்குபற்றினார்கள்.

An awareness dialogue on reproductive well-being was held on December 21, 2022, at the Library Auditorium from 2 PM to 4 PM. Dr. Guruparan, a certified specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, served as the resource person for the workshop. The dialogue addressed crucial topics, including pre-conceptional care, antenatal care, menstrual health, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections. A total of 91 students and staff members participated in this informative session, enhancing their understanding of reproductive health.