Outcome LKA_D_1.1

By 2027, the people of Sri Lanka live in a society which is more cohesive and strengthened by transformative and rights-based processes and mechanisms which support peaceful coexistence and human rights for all.

Eleven (11) state-owned shelters continued operations during the crux of the economic crisis, 906 SGBV survivors and their children further received relief packages with essentials as a result of UN Women's project interventions, thereby providing a safe refuge for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). A total of 93% of women surveyed who had access to the 11 shelters expressed satisfaction with the shelter support services. UN Women convened constructive discussions around best practices and the rethinking of existing mechanisms through the facilitation of Inter-community Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues (IMDs) at district and divisional levels, bridging the gap between high-level stakeholders and the grassroots. UN Women supported the continued functioning of 11 state-owned shelters during the height of the economic crisis when anecdotal evidence pointed to increased incidents of sexual and gender-based violence in Sri Lanka. These efforts were further complemented with the distribution of relief packages supporting nearly 906 SGBV survivors in an effort to respect their right to basic needs of food, water and shelter. These resources were in alignment with UN Women’s commitment to support peaceful coexistence and human rights for all. 82.8% of respondents observed improved social cohesion in their communities as a result of women's increased participation in community activities, which promoted trust and cooperation between different groups. This was possible because UN Women's skills development training improved women's confidence and economic independence, enhancing their willingness to make a positive contribution to their communities and take on leadership responsibilities.

By 2027, the people of Sri Lanka live in a society which is more cohesive and strengthened by transformative and rights-based processes and mechanisms which support peaceful coexistence and human rights for all.

The support provided by the UN Women’s programmes in 2023 emerged as a pivotal factor in ensuring the uninterrupted operations of all State-owned shelters and safe houses in the country and facilitating the provision of vital services to survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG). The project shouldered all operational costs associated with maintaining the shelters, except for transport expenses allocated separately by the Government's National Budget. An estimated LKR 6 million worth of provisions were provided monthly (excluding the one-time provision of equipment). This consistent and considerable investment has ensured the well-being of VAWG survivors, in the midst of an economic crisis where services to vulnerable populations - such as survivors of VAWG, women with disabilities - were heavily scaled down or completely defunded. This occurred as the government curtailed its public expenditure as it attempted to enact broad macroeconomic reforms to address the economic crisis. Hence, this programming was instrumental for the continued operations of shelters and safe houses within the country, providing a lifeline to VAWG survivors fleeing abusive circumstances. (See this link for supporting documents) The outcomes of the women entrepreneurs' empowerment component are evident in the transformative changes observed at both individual and community levels. The completion of training programmes and the subsequent successful pitching of business plans by 542 entrepreneurs have unlocked a pathway to more resilient and diversified livelihoods. These entrepreneurs are now positioned to access assets valued at LKR 110 million, fostering business expansion and diversification. Beyond traditional business skills, the project's focus on digital marketing training has contributed to an enhanced digital literacy landscape. Early observations suggest an increased awareness and utilization of digital tools among both beneficiaries and government officials. This digital proficiency is anticipated to facilitate more efficient business practices and communication channels, creating a lasting impact on the entrepreneurs' ability to adapt to the evolving business environment. Additionally, the 3 distributions of relief packages to each entrepreneur, each valued at LKR 44,000, have not only provided immediate relief to 600 households but have also served as a catalyst for the continued growth and expansion of businesses, which would otherwise have collapsed. Beneficiaries have reported a positive impact on household food security and stress reduction, allowing them to allocate more time and energy to their businesses. This dual impact on individual well-being and business development underscores the project's success in the approach adopted to support women hit hardest by the crisis. Please see this link for list of women entrepreneurs supported by the project; this link for the entrepreneurship related training modules; this link for pre- and post-training evaluation data from the digital literacy training; and this link for provision of relief supplies to the entrepreneurs.