Women's Development Centre

22/07/2026

Week of Legacy | 40 Years of WDC

Where it all began...

One of the earliest milestones in the Women's Development Centre's journey was the training of our first group of community volunteers in Primary Health Care and Nutrition.

This marked the beginning of a grassroots movement dedicated to understanding and responding to the needs of communities. Guided by the vision of our Founder, Mrs. Pearl Stephen, WDC began identifying and addressing the challenges faced by women, children, and persons with disabilities, laying the foundation for the organization's core programme areas.

From these first volunteers grew four decades of community-led action, empowerment, and lasting social change.

As we commemorate 40 years of WDC (1986–2026) and honour the legacy of Mrs. Pearl Stephen, we look back with gratitude at the people and moments that shaped our journey.

02/07/2026

The final four livelihood trainings under the UNDP Sri Lanka funded project, "Strengthening Protection and Shelter Services for GBV Survivors in Monaragala," have now been successfully completed for survivors of SGBV and women residing in the temporary shelter in Monaragala.

• 21 May 2026 – Carpets
• 05 June 2026 – Cutlet
• 11 June 2026 – Wick making
• 22 June 2026 – Candles

With these sessions, the planned series of six livelihood trainings has come to a successful close, providing participants with practical skills that can support future livelihoods and greater economic independence.

25/06/2026

Yesterday marked the successful conclusion of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) funded “Empowering Women and Girls” project, implemented by the Women’s Development Centre (WDC). The final experience-sharing event brought together inspiring women leaders, partners, government representatives, and supporters to celebrate three years of collective action, learning, and transformation.

The event was honoured by the presence of Ms. Frances Ferreira from the Commonwealth of Learning, government officials, members of the WDC Board of Directors, representatives from women’s forums across Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Monaragala, Ampara, Vavuniya, and Kilinochchi, and the WDC team.

The gathering reflected on the journey of the project through an overview of its achievements, powerful video stories shared by women’s forum leaders, inspiring speeches, and vibrant cultural performances by project beneficiaries.

The celebration concluded with an exhibition of creativity and empowerment, featuring stalls showcasing products, learning resources, games, and initiatives developed through the project.

Over the past three years, the project has strengthened women’s leadership, knowledge, and collective action, creating stronger networks of women working towards equality, inclusion, and positive change within their communities. 💜

A heartfelt thank you to all our partners, women leaders, beneficiaries, and supporters who have been part of this empowering journey.

12/06/2026

The quarterly Network of Women (NoW) meeting brought together WDC’s women-led partner organisations from across Sri Lanka for two days of reflection, learning, and collective action.

Held on 11th and 12th June, the meeting provided a valuable space for organisations to strengthen their capacities, share experiences, and identify ways to continue advancing gender equality and community empowerment.

The first day focused on strategic planning, supporting partner organisations to recognise the importance of having a clear vision, direction, and roadmap for sustainable organisational growth. Through shared learning and discussions, participants explored approaches to developing strategic plans that respond to the evolving needs of the communities they serve.

The second day created an opportunity for organisations to present their progress, discuss challenges, and share lessons learned from their ongoing work. These conversations strengthened peer learning, accountability, and collaboration within the Network of Women.

Through NoW, WDC continues to foster a strong network of women-led organisations that learn from one another, build collective strength, and work together towards creating safer, more inclusive, and empowered communities across Sri Lanka. 💜

06/06/2026

Women and girls are among those most affected by climate change, yet their voices are too often missing from climate decisions.

🎥 Watch the video and discover why women and girls must be at the centre of climate action: https://youtu.be/GOoMxWJAd0c

25/05/2026

In case you missed it…

Catch the recording of our webinar “Building Climate-Ready Green Skills”! 🌍🌱

Hear from three expert speakers as they share insights on:
Innovative skills training for the green economy
Leadership programs that empower change-makers
Frameworks for designing meaningful climate resilience initiatives

Watch the full recording here: youtube.com/watch?v=1ZQ0pdrHb98&feature=youtu.be

14/05/2026

The first two livelihood training sessions under the UNDP Sri Lanka-funded project, “Strengthening Protection and Shelter Services for GBV Survivors in Monaragala,” were successfully conducted for survivors of SGBV and women residing in temporary shelters across the Monaragala/Uva Province.

The Monaragala shelter is collaboratively managed by the Women's Development Centre (WDC) and the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, working together to strengthen protection, care, and recovery support services for women and children in need.

📍 29 April 2026 – Local snacks making workshop (Murukku & Mixture)
📍 08 May 2026 – Reed (Pan) handicrafts weaving training

These workshops mark the beginning of a planned series of six livelihood training programmes designed to create safe and empowering spaces for women during their stay at the shelters. Beyond keeping participants meaningfully engaged, the sessions provide practical, income-generating skills that can contribute towards long-term economic independence and self-reliance.

For many women, learning a new skill is about far more than training alone — it is about restoring confidence, rediscovering hope, and taking courageous steps towards rebuilding life with dignity and strength.

21/04/2026

Join today's webinar to explore how green skills development can drive climate adaptation and resilience, while opening new opportunities, particularly for women and girls. Learn from three speakers who bring expertise in skills training, climate leadership and emergency response in climate emergencies.

Register now to secure your spot!

Climate change is reshaping livelihoods, communities, and economies worldwide, especially in the most vulnerable regions. Now more than ever, we need innovative solutions, strong leadership, and the right skills to adapt and thrive.

Join our upcoming webinar to explore how green skills development can drive climate adaptation and resilience, while opening new opportunities, particularly for women and girls. Learn from three speakers who bring expertise in skills training, climate leadership and emergency response in climate emergencies.

What you’ll learn:
• A deeper understanding of why green skills are critical for climate resilience
• Real-world examples of programs empowering women and girls in renewable energy, climate leadership, and emergency response
• Practical strategies to expand economic opportunities and support inclusive, climate-adaptive futures

🗓 Date: April 21
⏰ Time: 7:00 AM (PST)
👉Register now to secure your spot: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9MCUziK8T3qi0Gto1HG_eA #/registration

21/04/2026

Across Ampara, Kalmunai, Matale, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya, Vavuniya, and Hanguranketha, our district-level women’s forums came together to conduct a series of impactful awareness programmes—creating spaces for learning, reflection, and collective strength.

These sessions placed a strong emphasis on rights and justice, encouraging women to make informed decisions and take meaningful action within their daily lives and communities. Alongside this, participants were equipped with practical strategies to navigate current challenges—from fuel conservation and food security to savings practices, sustainable home gardening, and effective home management.

More than just awareness, these gatherings reflected the power of collective action—women supporting women, building resilience, and driving positive change from the ground up.

This initiative was implemented as part of the COL4D's Empowering Women & Girls project, supported by the Commonwealth of Learning

20/04/2026

After a joyful Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the WDC family came together today for our first day back at work

Our team celebrated the spirit of the season by sharing traditional sweetmeats, laughter, and warm wishes, reminding us of the strength of community and togetherness that guides our work every day.

As we step into the new year with renewed energy and hope, we wish everyone a happy, peaceful, and prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!