Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon talks to Visaka Dharmadasa about women in peacebuilding

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Published on March 13, 2019

Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Violence in Conflict and Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the UN interviews Visaka Dharmadasa, a peacebuilder from Sri Lanka who has dedicated her life to bringing peace and reconciliation to her home

The Countess of Wessex hosts a reception on International Women’s Day at Buckingham Palace

The Royal Family

Published on March 9, 2019

The Countess of Wessex hosted a reception for International Women’s Day at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the vital role of women in building peace in countries affected by conflict.

In a speech made at the reception, Her Royal Highness announced her commitment to support the UK’s work in helping put more women and girls at the centre of conflict resolution, encouraging women’s participation in building peace and supporting survivors of sexual violence in conflict.

Many women peace builders from around the world were attending today including Visaka Dharmadasa, Chair of the Association of War Affect Women, who is from Sri Lanka. The Reception also brought together academics, representatives from NGOs, the Foreign Office, charities and UN agencies.

N-Peace Awards 2018

The N-Peace Network

Published on March 6, 2019

When it comes to finding new solutions to ensure inclusive peacebuilding, we must not forget the importance of learning from one other. Towards Responsive engaged in strategic advocacy for women political leaders across Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka, bringing together women in Ampara, Batticalo and Trincomalee. Increasing of South-South learning in our region is another approach we can take.

Visaka Dharmadasa is one of many women affected by the war in Sri Lanka, and in subsequent years became a champion for women’s inclusion in peace processes. Through her N-Peace Awarded organization Association for War Affected Women, she encourages Sri Lankans to listen to the lessons learned as a result of Nepal’s own peace process. N-Peace is a United Nations Development Programme flagship initiative, supporting peace advocates and civil society organisations advancing Women, Peace and Security in Asia through our annual peace awards and small grants. Together, we’re bringing more women to the peace table.

Visaka Dharmadasa on women as peacemakers and their definition of security

Women Peace Makers Program

Looking back to the disappearance of her son, a Sri Lankan military officer who was reported Missing in Action, Visaka Dharmadasa, the Chairwoman of the Association of War Affected Women and Founder of Parents of Servicemen Missing in Action in Sri Lanka talks about how it shaped her drive to work for peace in her country and the role of women peacemakers in situations of conflict and what will happen if the world adopts women’s definition of security.