On August 5, 2023, the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE) in collaboration with the Staff Development Centre (SDC) at the University of Jaffna and the Women’s Education and Research Centre in Colombo officially launched a certificate course in Women’s Studies. This course aims to enhance understanding and awareness of gender issues, promoting equity and empowerment among participants.
Centre for Gender Equity /Equality organized its 17th TOT session at the University of Jaffna. Learning to live with diversity is a course to be taught to the staff and students in all public universities in Sri Lanka. This TOT is the second phase of the Study on ragging and SGBV in the higher education system. Prof.Hemamali Gunathilake Director CGEE, UGC , and Dr.Pirapha Manurathne Senior Lecturer, University of Kelaniya contributed as resources persons 53 academic staff participate in this session held on 28th of July 2023 at the physics mini auditorium
UN Resident Representative Azusakubotavisited the University of Jaffna on 13th of July 2023 and met the Vice-chancellor, CGEE committee. She discussed the future work of UN in collaboration with Jaffna University. She discussed with the student representatives from all faculties of the University. She was honored with the paintings, which were selected as the best among the pool of drawings collected for the drawing exhibition conducted by CGEE in collaboration with UNDP.
In this programme CGEE team has linked the Donors and the women who need help to continue, start, empower their livelihoods, and fulfil their ambitions in fine Arts. CGEE team believes that supporting women in need is the social responsibility of the Centre as the unit of the social institution. Empowering women is a key to recovering and escaping from Gender-based violence, because domestic violence as the form of SGBV, directly and indirectly, influences gender equity and equality in universities as well as communities.
The event networking the Donors and women in need was celebrated on the 8th of June 2023 at the District Secretariat Kilinochchi. Vice chancellor Prof.S.Srissartkunarajah GA Kilinochchi, women development officers, Women federation members, CGEE members participated in this event. The event started with the Vice chancellor’s remarks. 8 donors, their representatives, and 6bwomen in need, CGEE members, other invitees participated in this event. CGEE member a welcome song was sung by, the visually and physically disabled woman Ms Vinothini who received the donation at the phase 1 programme. Donors handed over their donations valued amount 600,000Rs to women through the Vice-chancellor. Appreciation certificates to the donators were issued.
Centre for Gender Equity and Equality, University of Jaffna signed an MOU with Women’s Education and Research Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka on 16th 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 14th 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 24th to the 26th 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 27th 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 14th 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.
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