Mannar rally protests violence against women

[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 December 2003, 05:14 GMT]
A rally organized by the Women’s Development Society (WDS), to protest the violence inflicted on women within families and in the larger society, was held in Mannar Tuesday, and more than 300 women participated, sources said.

The LTTE's Mannar women's political wing leader, Ms. Nilavarasy, is seen addressing the gathering.

Oxfam, an international Non-Governmental Organization that has been working in Sri Lanka for several years, assisted the rally. The Mannar Citizens’ Committee (MCC), the Consortium of Public Organizations in Mannar (CPOM), and the Federation for National Awakening (FNA) supported the rally.

Mrs. Jessy Ariyaratnam, the coordinator of the Mannar district WDS, headed the rally that went through Mannar streets and ended at the Chavakaadu area. Thereafter, a cultural program depicting violence and injustices perpetrated against women was presented.

Mr. J. Jeyabalasingham, the secretary of the Mannar Citizens' committee, speaking.

The women participating in the rally shouted slogans condemning the practice of dowry in marriage and the ostracism faced by widows in addition to violence against

The women wing of the Liberation Tigers’ Mannar district political head, Ms. Nilavarasy, Oxfam planning officer, Mrs. Pathmini Balachandran, prominent figures from the MCC, CPOM and FNA also participated at the rally.



Mannar women raising voices and hands against violence


Mr. S. Sinthathurai of the public organizartions's consortium in Mannar, lights the traditional oil lamp. Ms. Jessy Ariyaratnam, the women's development society's head, is seen at extreme left.