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UNFPA and SLMA collaborate to advocate for sexual reproductive health rights
UNFPA Sri Lanka joined hands with the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) for the 136th anniversary of the international congress and beyond on sexual reproductive health rights of women and adolescents in 2023, said a UNFPA release.
It said that the 136th Anniversary International Medical Congress was held this year at the BMICH, Colombo from 25th – 28th July 2023 with presence from medical and legal professionals. The event aimed to create awareness on legal and policy barriers that are affecting women and adolescents in achieving their sexual and reproductive health rights and on health issues faced by women and adolescents due to legal, policy and systemic barriers.
Under the SLMA theme for 2023, ‘Towards Humane Healthcare: Excellence, Equity, Community’, the sessions supported the knowledge and skills of health professionals’ advocacy work and discussed the constraints and taboos related to sexual and reproductive health rights that affect women and adolescents in seeking healthcare.
The collaborative session with UNFPA reflected on the advocacy and policy priorities developed in 2018 to support women, adolescents and safeguard their rights to achieve the sustainable development goals by 2030.
Sri Lanka has reached significant health and social development goals in the past few decades. The strong primary healthcare system in the country has played a major role in reducing maternal, child health, under five-year mortality and communicable diseases.
The three-day event aimed to strengthen mechanisms and capacities of national and community actors to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, especially related to their health and wellbeing.
The sessions were conducted by the Department of Public and International Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and an Attorney-at-Law Prof Dinesha Samararatne, Cadre Chair Professor of Forensic Medicine at the University of Kelaniya Prof Anuruddhi Dissanayake, Co-Founder of the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership in 2008 and practicing gynecologist Dr Suchithra Dalvie and a medical educator for undergraduates and post graduate trainees in Obstetrics and Gynecology and honorary Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr. Prabodhana Ranaweera.
Speaking on modern medicine, patriarchy and women’s sexual and reproductive health rights, Dr. Suchitra Dalvie noted that women were seen as ‘natural’ nurses due to their maternal and caring instincts and were underpaid, overworked and never received the kind of professional respect and opportunities that the male doctors did and as a result of this, modern medicine does not support the agency, autonomy, dignity and choices of women and queer persons, which has a direct impact on their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Prof. Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, noting the legal and policy barriers women and adolescents face, said the patriarchal nature of Southeast Asian social norms lead to negative outcomes for women and adolescents for accessing sexual and reproductive health services in Sri Lanka.
UNFPA and SLMA will host a media seminar in September 2023 to share and discuss a policy document prepared by the Expert Committee on Women with cooperation from the Ministry of Health.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
