International Women’s Day 2026 Celebrated through Competitions and Community Outreach

To mark International Women’s Day 2026, the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), in collaboration with the Department of English Language Teaching (DELT), University of Jaffna, organized a series of activities under the theme “Give to Gain.”

An Essay and Speech Competition was conducted for undergraduate students, academic staff, and non-academic staff to promote awareness of gender equity and women’s empowerment. The competitions attracted enthusiastic participation from both the Jaffna and Kilinochchi premises, providing a platform for critical thinking, creativity, and public speaking. Winners were recognized, and certificates were awarded to all participants.

As part of the International Women’s Day celebrations, CGEE also organized an Empowerment Programme at the Hindu Children’s Home, Thirunelvely, on 8 March 2026. Nearly 100 children participated in interactive sessions on leadership, personal hygiene, mental wellbeing, and cybersecurity. The programme was further enriched by awareness dramas and interactive activities conducted by the Department of Drama and Theatre. CGEE also donated stationery items to all participating children.

These initiatives successfully promoted awareness, empowerment, and community engagement while reaffirming the University of Jaffna’s commitment to gender equity and social inclusion.

UN Resident Coordinator Visits University of Jaffna and Meets CGEE

The Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), University of Jaffna, hosted a meeting with Mr. Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, along with Ms. Kayathiri Kumaran, Field Coordination Associate, and other UN representatives on 26 March 2026.

Prior to the meeting with CGEE, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, Senior Professor T. Velnamby. The discussions at the Board Room focused on past collaborations between the University and the United Nations, as well as ongoing initiatives related to gender equity and equality.

Dr. S. Rajashanthan, Director of CGEE, presented an overview of the Centre’s activities and key areas of engagement. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss gender-related concerns affecting students and staff and to explore avenues for future collaboration.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening partnerships and promoting joint initiatives to advance gender equity and social inclusion.