Parish of St George, Fort Langley > Chronicles ( DNN 3.1.0 )

Last Updated: Monday 17 Mar, 2008, 02:24 PM

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	Epistle the Seventy-Third
	Who's Who in the Parish
	Shrove Tuesday
	Bulletin Board
	What to do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks
	Parish Outreach News
	Our Foster Children
	Plan 2018 - Round 2
	Favorite Hymns
	World Day of Prayer
	Primate's World Relief & Development Fund
	The Legend of The Trees

Primate's World Relief & Development Fund

(PWRDF)

Sri Lankan women press for peace in the midst of chaos In the middle of the chaos and the turmoil, the women of Sri Lanka are strong and resilient. This despite the fact that there is on average five abductions per day and everyone is viewed with suspicion. Kumi Samuel, director of the Women and Media Collective in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and a former international partner on the board (1997-2004) of The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, spoke to staff at the national office of The Anglican Church of Canada on Feb. 27. She spoke of the long and strong connection between PWRDF and Sri Lanka, dating back to the 1980s when PWRDF staff members would visit the country. That led to a vibrant mentoring relationship where PWRDF provided encouragement and support to help organize the advocacy movement. In 1991, PWRDF brought to Sri Lanka a delegation of 20 Canadian parliamentarians who added their support to that human rights movement by visiting many parts of the country. They came in the middle of intense internal conflict. The Women and Media Collective has a 25-year history, diligently engaged in peace-building and peace-making. That work continues throughout the current civil unrest where thousands have been forced to flee their homes and villages, where dissent is not tolerated and where there is a heavy policing of civil rights groups. Neighbours are encouraged to spy on each other and to report any suspicious activity. Ms. Samuel says media face daily censorship and intimidation. She says her organization has called upon the United Nations to send in peacekeeping troops. “I am not optimistic about a peaceful solution to the present conflict,” she said this week. The plight of women in Sri Lanka has improved considerably in recent years, thanks to organizations such as the collective. There is a high literacy rate among women, thanks in large part to free education. Most women in leadership tend to be about 30 years old, said Ms. Samuel. The collective mobilizes women. It was instrumental in introducing legislation on domestic violence, which was passed into law. Ms. Samuel continues to press for legislation offering land rights for women, and encourages greater participation by women in the media. About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age.Keith Knight, PWRDF Communications Coordinator (reprinted with permission)