SLFUW: 75 years of helping female graduates make a mark

By Kaveesha Fernando

Over the years, women graduates in Sri Lanka have contributed much to the workforce. Local universities have produced many female graduates, some of who have excelled in their respective fields. The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women (SLFUW) which is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee through a series of events will focus on harnessing the potential of women graduates and undergraduates.

In celebration of this milestone anniversary, 75 scholarships will be awarded to female undergraduates of state universities and a

The Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Awards will be held on August 31 at 3 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Federation of University Women Auditorium at No. 96/25, Kitulwatte road, Borella, Colombo 08, while the Diamond Jubilee symposium will be held on September 14 at 3 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Foundation at No 100, Sri Lanka Foundation Ave, Colombo. The Chief Guest for the awards ceremony will be Dr.Sarath Amunugama, Minister for Special Projects, while President Maithripala Sirisena will be the Chief Guest at the Symposium. symposium held to discuss the role of women.

The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women (SLFUW) began even before universities were established here. In 1941, Clara Motwani and a group of graduates began the Federation with graduates from foreign universities who were from Ceylon or living in the island joining as members. Since its inception, this organisation has been helping female graduates to reach their fullest potential while simultaneously advocating women’s rights and education. The federation has been affiliated with Graduate Women International (formerly known as the International Federation of University Women) since 1946.

The scholarships will be awarded to selected female undergraduates from state universities. The recipients were selected by the federation in collaboration with the University Grants Commission by virtue of financial need and merit. Many past presidents of the federation will have scholarships awarded in their name because the Past Pupils’ Associations of their schools have donated funds for this award ceremony.

A symposium will be held on September 14 on the topic, ‘The Role of Women in Good Governance, Social Justice and Democracy’. The keynote speaker for the event will be Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, Director General - Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. The panel discussion will be moderated by Deshabandu Jezima Ismail. The panelists and their topics are as follows – Dr. Deepika Udagama (Chairperson – Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka) – Women and Human Rights. Dr. Hiranthi Wijemanne (Former Vice Chair - UN Monitoring Committee on the Rights of the Child) – Prevention of Gender Based Violence, Professor Kamala Liyanage (Head of the Department of Political Science) – Women and Politics, Professor Chitralekha Maunaguru – Women, Reconciliation and Coexistence.

A special commemorative stamp will be issued on the day of the symposium alongside the launch of a monograph and a photoflash detailing the activities of the SLFUW. The monograph, ‘History of the Sri Lanka Federation of University Women’, has been written by Delaine Weerakkody. This 50-page book will detail the past endeavours of the federation, while the photoflash will serve as a visual retrospective. Awards of appreciation will also be given to the past presidents of the federation.

President and Vice President of the Federation Seela Ebert and Indra Puvimanasinghe feel that all female graduates and undergraduates should be aware that the SLFUW is capable of assisting them in their academic endeavours. “We want them to know that we can guide them and even help them with their post graduate research. We help each other,” said Ms. Ebert. She and Ms. Puvimanasinghe hope that more women will become members of this prestigious organisation and contribute to its development while also reaping the benefits that come with being part of the federation.

If you are a female graduate who wishes to join the SLFUW, please visit their website slfuw.org.