GreenInsight eMagazine [Issue III]

Goal 05: Gender Equality

Activities 👆

Research 👆

Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls worldwide. It emphasizes that gender equality is not only a basic human right but also essential for building peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable societies. The goal includes several key targets such as ending all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, ensuring equal access to education and employment, promoting women’s full participation in leadership and decision-making, recognizing unpaid care and domestic work, and safeguarding sexual and reproductive health and rights. SDG 5 ultimately envisions a world where everyone regardless of gender has equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities to contribute to sustainable development.

At the University of Kelaniya (UOK), the principles of SDG 5 are deeply integrated into the university’s governance, academic, and community frameworks. UOK actively promotes gender equity through fair recruitment practices, gender-sensitive policies, and initiatives that support women in leadership, research, and entrepreneurship. The university ensures equal access to education for all genders, provides platforms for women’s participation in decision-making bodies, and encourages inclusive student and staff engagement.

Centre for Gender Studies, University of Kelaniya (CGSUK)

The Centre for Gender Studies, University of Kelaniya (CGSUK) is an interdisciplinary unit that fosters gender scholarship, advocacy, and institutional change across the university and in society at large.

Mission & Role

CGSUK serves as a hub for research, education, and consciousness-raising about gender, equity, and inclusion. Its core objectives include:

Initiating and conducting quality research on diverse gender issues.
Operating a cutting-edge resource centre on gender studies that supports students, faculty, and external stakeholders.
Promoting educational and training programs in gender studies and gender mainstreaming (with future plans to possibly offer postgraduate diplomas or degrees).
Offering expertise and advisory services on matters of gender equality, equity, and inclusivity. Units+1
Cultivating public awareness and dialogue on gender equity and social justice issues.

The current Director of CGSUK is Dr. E. A. D. Anusha Edirisinghe.

Major Activities & Achievements

Publications and Journals: CGSUK publishes the Journal of Gender Studies Sri Lanka, a peer-reviewed, biannual publication that encourages multidisciplinary research on gender across South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Africa, and beyond.
Conferences and Events: The Centre organizes landmark conferences, public dialogues, workshops, and seminars. For example, it has hosted the International Conference on Child Protection (ICCP 2025).
Resource Centre & Library: CGSUK acts as a knowledge hub, maintaining gender-related literature, databases, and digital resources for students, faculty, and community stakeholders.
Collaborations & Outreach: The Centre partners with the university’s Gender Equity & Equality Club, faculties, student bodies, NGOs, and community organizations to run awareness programs, capacity-building sessions, and gender mainstreaming initiatives.
Steering & Advisory Structures: CGSUK is governed by advisory and steering committees with members drawn from across the university, ensuring representation and alignment with institutional strategies.

Web Page: The Centre for Gender Studies of University of Kelaniya (CGSUK)

Facebook: The Centre for Gender Studies of University of Kelaniya (CGSUK)

Education

Faculty of Social Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences plays a leading role in advancing gender education through degree programs that explore gender relations, development, and social justice.

BA in Sociology / BA (Honours) in Sociology – Includes course units such as Gender and Society, Women and Development, and Social Inequality and Empowerment. These modules examine gender roles, cultural perceptions, and women’s participation in social structures.
BA in Mass Communication / BA (Honours) in Mass Communication – Focuses on gender representation in media, communication ethics, and advocacy for women’s voices in journalism and digital platforms.
BA in Political Science / BA (Honours) in Political Science – Examines gender and governance, feminist political theory, and women’s leadership in public administration.
BA in Philosophy / BA (Honours) in Philosophy – Addresses gender and ethics, equality, and feminist philosophy.

Faculty of Humanities

BA in English / BA (Honours) in English – Incorporates gender-sensitive literary analysis, feminist theory, and cultural narratives that highlight women’s representation in literature and media.
BA in Drama & Theatre / BA in Film & Television Studies – Explores gender identity, performance, and representation, promoting equality and inclusion in the creative arts.

Postgraduate Programs and Gender Research

The Centre for Gender Studies (CGSUK) collaborates with postgraduate units to develop advanced study options on gender, equity, and social inclusion. It also organizes workshops, public lectures, and research symposia focusing on women’s empowerment, gender-based violence prevention, and inclusive education.
CGSUK’s long-term goal is to introduce Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s programs in Gender and Development Studies, building on its current training and awareness activities.

Policy for Women’s Applications, Entry, and Participation

The University of Kelaniya (UOK) upholds a comprehensive Policy on Gender Equity and Equality, developed and implemented through the Centre for Gender Studies, University of Kelaniya (CGSUK). This policy aligns with the UGC Standing Committee on Gender Equity and Equality and adheres to both national and international frameworks such as the Women’s Charter of Sri Lanka (1993), the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (UNCEDAW), and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5: Gender Equality)

1. Equal Access and Participation

UOK’s admission and recruitment procedures are governed by the principles of gender sensitivity, gender equity, and gender justice, ensuring fair opportunities for women in all academic and administrative domains. The policy explicitly requires the university to:

Implement gender-equal guidelines in enrolling, recruiting, promoting, and providing scholarships for higher studies.
Create and maintain a transparent implementation process through faculty-level gender focal points, under the leadership of each dean, with oversight from CGSUK.
Establish and monitor equitable representation of women in decision-making and leadership positions at all university levels.

2. Institutional Mechanisms and Safeguards

To ensure a safe and inclusive academic environment, UOK has set up:

A Task Force Against Ragging and SGBV, in line with the Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act No. 20 of 1998, with authority to prevent and address gender-based discrimination or harassment.
A confidential grievance mechanism and counseling support system through the Kalana Mithuru Counselling Centre and trained student counselors, as recommended by the UGC framework.
Faculty-level Gender Equity and Equality Focal Points supported by the CGSUK Advisory Board, ensuring the operationalization of the gender policy across all faculties.

3. Capacity Building and Awareness

The policy mandates continuous training, awareness programs, and advocacy campaigns to sensitize both staff and students on gender equality, inclusivity, and non-discrimination. These programs are integrated into:

Staff Development Programs to ensure gender awareness in pedagogy and workplace culture.
Student Orientation and Leadership Workshops encouraging young women to engage in governance, entrepreneurship, and academic leadership roles.

4. Gender-Responsive Environment

The university is committed to maintaining a gender-responsive infrastructure, including adequate sanitary facilities, lighting, and security for female students and staff—requirements reinforced under UGC Circular No. 919 (2010) on creating gender-sensitive infrastructure and preventing ragging. The use of gender-inclusive language in communication and documentation is also institutionalized to foster a culture of equality.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Accountability

The Vice Chancellor, supported by the CGSUK Advisory Board, oversees policy implementation across faculties. The Centre submits quarterly and annual progress reports to the University Council and the UGC Standing Committee on Gender Equity and Equality for continuous improvement and accountability

Childcare Facilities for Staff and Faculty

Model Early Childhood Development and Daycare Centre (MECDC)

The University of Kelaniya (UOK) provides dedicated childcare support to promote the well-being and work–life balance of its academic and non-academic staff. Recognizing the importance of family-friendly infrastructure in ensuring gender equity and employee productivity, the University established a Model Early Childhood Development and Daycare Centre (MECDC) in January 2025.

Located near the Faculty of Science, the MECDC serves as a safe, nurturing, and accessible childcare facility for the children of university staff and faculty members. It operates under the management of the Welfare Association of the Kelaniya University Teachers’ Association (KUTA), with support from the University Administration. The Centre provides early childhood education, daycare services, and recreational activities in a secure environment, enabling parents particularly working mothers to balance their professional and personal responsibilities effectively.

For more reference: University of Kelaniya Opens Model Early Childhood Development and Daycare Center

The Inauguration Ceremony of the Model Early Childhood Development and Daycare Centre

Breastfeeding and Nursing Areas

Breastfeeding and nursing areas at the Faculty of Medicine, ensuring comfort and privacy for new mothers.

Programs

The International Conference on Child Protection 2025 (ICCP 2025)

The International Conference on Child Protection 2025 (ICCP 2025) officially commenced on 26th July 2025 at the Faculty of Computing and Technology, University of Kelaniya. Organized by the Centre for Gender Studies in collaboration with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and UNICEF Sri Lanka, the conference brings together distinguished academics, policymakers, and practitioners committed to advancing child protection locally, regionally, and globally.

The Opening Ceremony began with a formal academic procession and the National Anthem, establishing a dignified and solemn atmosphere. The event was graced by several esteemed speakers whose insights highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in ensuring justice and protection for children.

International Conference on Child protection

7 වෙනි පැය

Multidisciplinary Approaches to Ethical Reporting on Child Protection

The Centre for Gender Studies, University of Kelaniya extends its deepest appreciation to all esteemed resource persons, panelists, and participants for their meaningful contributions to the One-Day Capacity-Building Workshop on “Multidisciplinary Approaches to Ethical Reporting on Child Protection”, held on 30th June and 1st July 2025 at the Staff Development Centre (SDC) Auditorium.

We are especially grateful to the following individuals for sharing their knowledge and expertise throughout the workshop:

Dr. Hemamal Jayawardana– UNICEF Sri Lanka

Professor Anuruddhi Edirisinghe - Centre for Gender Studies

Senior Lecturer Wijayananda Ruupasinghe – Department of Mass Communication

Lawyer Jagath Liyana Arachchi - Right to Information Commission

Dr. Viranjana Herath – Director, Media Law Forum

Ms. Shaanika Malalgoda – National Child Protection Authority (NCPA)

Ms. Lakna Paranamanna – UNICEF Sri Lanka

Senior Lecturer Dammika Bandara - Department of Mass Communication

Your active participation and collective expertise greatly enriched the workshop, reinforcing the importance of ethical, multidisciplinary approaches in media reporting related to child protection.

We look forward to continued collaboration in our shared commitment to advancing child rights and responsible media practices.

— Centre for Gender Studies

University of Kelaniya

#ICCP2025 #CGSUK #ChildProtection #EthicalJournalism #UniversityofKelaniya #MediaEthics

𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑 𝒐𝒏 𝑬𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝑪𝑪𝑷 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝒂𝒕 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑲𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒚𝒂

The Centre for Gender Studies at the University of Kelaniya successfully conducted a one-day capacity-building workshop titled "𝑀𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛" on 30th June and 1st July 2025, at the Staff Development Centre Auditorium, University of Kelaniya.

This event was held under the framework of the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐈𝐂𝐂𝐏) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, the first international conference in Sri Lanka dedicated exclusively to child protection. The workshop brought together undergraduate participants from the Department of Mass Communication and the Department of Drama, Cinema & Television, aiming to strengthen their awareness and skills in ethical, professional, and sensitive reporting on issues affecting children.

The official inauguration of the workshop was graced by Prof. Ravi Dissanayake, Director of the Staff Development Centre, and a distinguished academic delegation from the Centre for Gender Studies, including Senior Professor Anuruddhi Edirisinghe (Director, CGSUK and Chair of ICCP 2025), Dr. Sulochani Ramanayake (Co-Secretary – Academic), Dr. Amila Jeewandara (Co-Secretary – Logistics), Prof. Nayana Gunathilake, Dr. S.D. Edirisinghe, Dr. Pavithra Godamune, and Dr. Dilani Wickramaarachchi. Representatives from UNICEF Sri Lanka and the National Child Protection Authority were also present, reaffirming institutional support for child-focused journalism training.

The workshop sessions featured expert-led presentations on media ethics, child protection law, institutional frameworks, and practical group work focused on real-world case studies and ethical dilemmas.

• The Importance of Ethical Reporting on Children by Dr Hemamal Jayawardane (UNICEF Sri Lanka)

• Media Ethics with Special Reference to Children by Senior Lecturers Wijayananda Rupasinghe and Samanthika Priyadharshani

• Legal Frameworks Related to Ethical Reporting with contributions from Mr Jagath Liyana Arachchi (Right to Information Commission) and Dr Viranjana Herath (Chairperson, Media Law Forum)

• Institutional Perspectives on Child Protection by Ms Shaanika Malalgoda (NCPA)

• Group Work on Ethical Dilemmas in Reporting and

A panel discussion titled “Charting the Way Forward for Ethical Reporting on Children” concluded the event, featuring Ms. Shaanika Malalgoda (NCPA), Ms. Lakna Paranamanna (UNICEF), Senior Lecturers Wijayananda Rupasinghe and Samanthika Priyadharshani, and Prof. Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, moderated by Senior Lecturer Dammika Bandara Herath.

The programme was coordinated by the ICCP 2025 Media Team, chaired by Senior Lecturer Ms. Samanthika Priyadharshani, and included Senior Lecturer Wijayananda Rupasinghe, Senior Lecturer Diwanka Randunu Podduwage, Assistant Lecturers Hansani Jayawickrama and Harshana Eranga Gunasinghe, along with committed student volunteers Thejani Senathilake, Savindu Dilshara, I.T.M. Supipi Sewwandi, Kaushalya N.S.M. Patabandige, and A.M. Nelumdeniya.

Overall coordination of the event was led by Ms. Harshani Karunanayake, Conference Coordinator of ICCP 2025. The workshop concluded with a reaffirmation of the need for responsible and rights-based media engagement on child protection issues in Sri Lanka.

#ICCP2025 #CGSUK #ChildProtection #EthicalJournalism #UniversityofKelaniya #MediaEthics