Sthree Mela celebrates women's achievements

Sthree Mela, an exhibition to celebrate the achievements of women will go on the floors from December 8 to 10 at the BMICH. Slated to be inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the three day event aims at highlighting achievements of great women who have not garnered due recognition. Sthree

Mela is being organised by the Association of War Affected Women, Sri Lanka (AWAW). A broad coalition of women's groups together with the assistance of a wide spectrum of senior women politicians conducted a series of successful exhibitions in Ratnapura, Badulla, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Ampara Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Mannar, kilinochichi and Vavuniya symbolising our indiscriminate approach to uniting women across the divide as a prelude to "Sthree Mela" said the Chairperson of AWAW Visaka Dharmadasa. Bearing the motto, "Voice of Sri Lankan Women", the AWAW-organised event will include panel discussions, movie screenings and a round table discussion advocating gender participation and inclusion led by American conflict resolution expert Dr. Joyce Neu.

The event will also be attended by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the 2011 Nobel Peace laureate Abigail Disney, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, U.S. Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis, Canadian Senator Mobina Jaffar, a 13 member delegation from the world YWCA led by its General Secretary and many other local and overseas dignitaries from various organisations.

Over 1,250 women achievers representing all districts in Sri Lanka will participate in the event with an expected turn out of over 15,000 visitors a day.