Outcome LKA_O_2

Advancing partnerships & resourcing; Effectively influencing for impact & scale:

In 2023, increased visibility of UN Women’s work in Sri Lanka through digital and mainstream media, and engagement with youth, civil society and sister agencies has opened up new avenues for partnerships. For example, UN Women and the European Union (EU) Delegation to Sri Lanka partnered to facilitate discussions with university students on the gendered challenges and opportunities for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and the importance of tackling systemic obstacles to women thriving in STEM careers. Key communication products included 4 videos featuring local STEM champions working in science , technology and engineering – to showcase how Sri Lankan women are breaking barriers in the field, an article on closing the gender gap in STEM and social media content on how workplaces can better support women in STEM. Successful completion of this communications campaign has resulted in an annual partnership with the EU to commemorate International Day of Women and Girls in Science with an upcoming phase II of the campaign in 2024. In addition to this campaign, the EU’s interest to collaborate for 16 days of activism led to the convening of a youth-focused dialogue on ending violence against women in politics. In the context of International Women’s Day 2023 and the 2023 Commission on the Status on Women session, UN Women facilitated a virtual discussion with three women activists that harness digital spaces to advocate for the rights-based transformation of governance systems, economic processes, and legal frameworks. The aim of the discussion was twofold; to highlight the potential of digital spaces for women supporting rights-based transformation and to outline challenges to women activists in digital spaces, and outline recommendations for Sri Lanka. To complement this discussion, UN Women interviewed and featured three women using digital media for social change including a former local council member , journalist and LGBTIQ+ activist . These efforts have increased visibility of UN Women’s work, and are being recognized by donors in Sri Lanka, which as a result has increased requests for collaboration and partnerships from multiple entities including the private sector for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Advancing partnerships & resourcing; Effectively influencing for impact & scale:

The office effectively utilized strategic partnerships and communications to increase its visibility among diverse stakeholders including the media, youth, educational institutes, the private sector and traditional donors. Through targeted communications and strategic partnerships, UN Women has successfully positioned itself as a key contributor to advancing gender equality in Sri Lanka. Initiatives like the MakHer Outreach Programme have laid the groundwork for long-term collaborations, such as the project funded by the Republic of Korea to enhance capacities of young women in STEM. Furthermore, through the Gender Task Force, UN Women’s efforts facilitating training on gender-inclusive communication have reinforced its role in mainstreaming gender equality practices within the UN system. The office's exploration of new private sector partnerships has yielded positive results, with companies like Dialog Axiata and Brandix apparel Pvt Ltd becoming WEPs signatories. This engagement underscores the growing interest and commitment from the private sector to support women's economic empowerment. These efforts have not only raised awareness but have also set the stage for sustainable collaborations and resource mobilization, ensuring continued progress in advancing gender equality in the country. Additionally, the office’s ongoing research initiatives provide the foundation for a strengthened, evidence-based resource mobilization strategy. It will also enhance UN Women’s position and profile as a credible and effective partner working on GEWE, given the limited donor funding landscape in the country.