අභිමානි - දෙවන අදියර - ධරණි

Her Rights, Her Language: How Two TV Channels are Changing the Narrative for Working Women

The second phase of Project Abhimani was successfully carried out through two impactful initiatives, with the aim of raising legal awareness among working women across Sri Lanka. Recognizing the importance of accessibility and inclusivity, the project team organized two special television programmes in both Tamil and Sinhala languages, ensuring that vital legal knowledge reached a wider and more diverse audience.

The first initiative was conducted in the Tamil language in collaboration with Capital TV as the official media partner. The programme was telecast on 18th April at 10.00 a.m. and featured Akram Wassem - Attorney at Law as the resource person. The session was presented by Leo Niwesh Harin, a committee member of Leo Club of  University of Colombo, who is proficient in Tamil. This initiative ensured that Tamil-speaking working women were able to access crucial legal knowledge in a language they are comfortable with.

The second initiative was conducted in the Sinhala language in partnership with Liyesi TV, a channel recognized as the first and only television platform in Sri Lanka dedicated to women empowerment. This programme was telecast on 22nd April at 10.00 a.m. and featured Ayeshmantha Gayan - Attorney at Law as the resource person, who also serves as a visiting lecturer at the University of Colombo. The programme was presented by Leo Dewmini Ranasinghe, the Project Abhimani Chairperson and the 2nd Vice President of Leo Club of  University of Colombo. Both programmes were recorded during the month of April and subsequently broadcast within the same month, ensuring timely dissemination of information..

The content of both programmes was carefully structured to address key legal concerns faced by working women in Sri Lanka. The discussion began by highlighting the importance of understanding the legal framework governing employment, emphasizing why it is essential for every working woman to be aware of her rights under Sri Lankan labour law.

Further, the programmes explored the legal rights and protections available to women, including maternity benefits and job security. The resource persons explained the existing legal provisions related to maternity leave and clarified how the law safeguards women from losing their employment due to pregnancy-related conditions. Special attention was also given to regulations surrounding night work, particularly in industries such as garment manufacturing and business process outsourcing, outlining the legal obligations employers must fulfil before requiring female employees to work late hours.

Another significant segment focused on workplace harassment, where the legal definition of sexual harassment was clearly explained within the Sri Lankan context. The discussions provided guidance on the steps a woman can take if she experiences harassment, including safe reporting mechanisms that minimize the risk of retaliation. The responsibility of employers in maintaining a safe working environment was also emphasized, highlighting their legal accountability in such situations.

The programmes also addressed issues of equality and fair pay, examining whether Sri Lankan law ensures equal pay for equal work and outlining the legal remedies available to women who face wage discrimination. Additionally, the legal protections against gender-based discrimination in recruitment and promotions were discussed, encouraging women to be more aware and confident in asserting their rights.

Termination of employment was another critical topic covered, where the speakers clarified that employers cannot terminate employees without valid legal reasons. The role of the Labour Tribunal was explained in detail, including how women can seek justice if they are unfairly dismissed and the types of compensation they may be entitled to receive.

Finally, the programmes provided valuable information on accessing legal aid, addressing the common concern of affordability. Women were guided on where to seek free or low-cost legal assistance in Sri Lanka and how to file official complaints through the appropriate legal channels.

Through these two initiatives, ProjectAbhimanisuccessfully created a platform to educate and empower working women with essential legal knowledge. By utilizing mass media in both Tamil and Sinhala languages, the project ensured that critical information reached communities across linguistic and social boundaries, reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity, awareness, and women’s empowerment.

Penned by : Leo Niwesh Harin