South and South-East Asia - Sri Lanka
The “Women Defining Peace” project was a five-year initiative undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The initiative supported an integrated approach to addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and promoted women’s leadership and gender equality in the peacebuilding and tsunami rehabilitation efforts through two mechanisms: (1) an intersectoral collaboration mechanism and (2) a quick response mechanism. The project developed and strengthened civil society networks to strategically work together on critical gender concerns. At the same time, the project addressed emerging priorities as the political situation evolved. Specifically, the project: (1) strengthened civil organizations/networks for more coordinated provisions of services with government for those affected by GBV; (2) enhanced the commitment of policy makers, legislators, and other actors in the legal/judicial system to address GBV; and (3) increased the integration of gender equality concerns in peacebuilding and reconstruction.