The Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Women's Day on the 8th of March 2021. The theme was Choose to Challenge, a campaign to celebrate women's achievement, raise awareness against bias, take action for equality and help forge a gender equal world!

A three-day social media campaign was carried out with individuals and organisations' participation from around the country.

We strongly believe that gender equality exists when women and girls are free to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights. 

The right to sexual and reproductive health implies that people can enjoy a mutually satisfying and safe relationship, free from coercion or violence and without fear of infection or pregnancy and that they can regulate their fertility without adverse or dangerous consequences. Ending reproductive injustices is a crucial step to transforming the lives of women and girls.

We also focused on the fact that leaders in organisations play a significant part in advancing gender equality within the workplace. Leaders are accountable for fostering an inclusive workplace to ensure that all employees have equitable access to opportunities. Equally important is ensuring the safety, health and well-being of women at work.

Persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable and socially excluded groups in any crisis-affected community. For women and girls with disabilities, the intersection of gender inequality and disability makes them especially vulnerable to gender-based violence. We called for action to define concrete steps to protect people with disabilities. 

To view campaign materials, click here.