Women Defining Peace

In partnership with World University Services Overseas of Canada (WUSC) and CoWater, a Canadian consulting firm , MATCH is undertaking a new project in Sri Lanka to support groups which are working to end violence against women and increase women's voice in peace-building and reconstruction.

The project, called Women Defining Peace, is funded by CIDA and was officially launched by Canada's High Commissioner Angela J. Bogdan at an International Women's Day celebration, March 8, 2007, hosted by the High Commission in Colombo.

The five-year project has two main objectives:

  1. to strengthen the commitment and capacity to address violence against women, working with civil society, service providers and policy makers;
  2. to support efforts to address gender equality and women's rights during peace-building and reconstruction processes.

This is a new project, but it will build on the lessons and accomplishments of Shakti and the Sri Lankan women's movement. WDP will make grants available to groups across Sri Lanka, for projects that address violence against women or strengthen women's voice.

The details of the grants will be developed in consultation with stakeholders in Colombo and the regions. There will also be support for technical assistance, mentoring and skill-building to help interested groups and networks to develop the capacities they need to contribute to the two objectives. As well, WDP will facilitate processes to learn from the projects that are implemented and to share those insights to help create positive changes in policies and practice.