Building a Country for Every Citizen
Who we are
The Association of War Affected Women (AWAW) was established in the year 2000 to create a space for war affected women, specifically mothers and wives, of those who are missing to come together across the divide to work for peace.
We are also deeply committed to safeguarding democracy and rights of all, particularly women’s rights and advancement, as we believe that people’s rights must be safeguarded and democracy has to be strengthened in order to create a conducive atmosphere for peace to prevail. We are working towards a peaceful Sri Lanka, where all its peoples will be able to live with dignity, enjoying equal rights.
For the past 24 years the Association of War Affected Women’s work has centred on conflict transformation and sustainable peace building in Sri Lanka.
In order to achieve our goal, we work with many stakeholders throughout the country and beyond; including clergy of all faith, academia, professionals, women, men and youth of the country in all districts to safeguard human rights and strengthen good governance and democracy.
We are also working extensively on peace, security and development issues mainly from women’s perspectives, producing numerous policy briefs, advocacy work, delivering trainings and working nationally, regionally and globally on the Women’s Peace and Security agenda.
Why Women’s Perspective?
When it comes to war and violence women are the most affected, either directly or indirectly. These affected women can be classified into two main groups; women who’s next of kin is dead, disabled or missing in action, the other is the next of kin who is a civilian has befallen to one of these unfortunate situations due to the war. The main objective of our Association is to help these women to integrate into society from their isolated situation by addressing their social, economic and mental problems and achieve Peace through Socio-Economic development with the active participation of the War Affected Women.