8 February 2024, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka has expanded the reach of its mobile interactive gender exhibition, ‘A Journey of Transformation and Women’s Empowerment’, to Colombo in line with International Women's Day 2024 under the theme of ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’. A pioneering initiative aimed at celebrating transformation, women's empowerment, and promoting justice for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), the exhibition is being held from 7th to 10th March at the National Museum, Colombo from 9.30 am to 8.00 pm and is open to the public with free admission.

The official opening of the exhibition in Colombo took place last evening, with the participation of H.E. Mizukoshi Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka; Ms. Rosy Senanayake, Advisor to President; and other senior government officials, development partners, UN agencies, Private sector representatives, and CSO partners. 
 

Launched in November 2023 in Kandy, and having completed stops in Kurunegala and Colombo, the exhibition will also be travelling to Jaffna, Galle, Nuwara Eliya and Batticaloa in the coming weeks. Made possible with the generous support of the Government of Canada and the Royal Norwegian Embassy, through a series of interactive exhibits, engaging discussions, and storytelling sessions, the exhibition celebrates the resilience of Sri Lankan communities and highlights the efforts of UNDP Sri Lanka and its partners in addressing barriers to gender equality and SGBV over the years. It showcases the stories of women and communities whose lives have been transformed and supported by various UNDP interventions over the years implemented together with the support of a wide range of partners and grass root level organizations. 
 

The exhibition aligns with UNDP Sri Lanka's broader project, ‘Ensuring Justice for Victim-Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Sri Lanka,’ jointly implemented with UNFPA Sri Lanka and funded by the Government of Canada, along with UNDPs flagship portfolio on ‘SDG16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’ which is also supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy.  

The exhibition invites members of the public to participate in discussions, share their stories, and contribute ideas for gender transformation and women's empowerment. Through these interactive sessions, UNDP in Sri Lanka hopes to inspire change and promote a society free of SGBV.

The exhibition will take place from 7th-10th March 2024 at the National Museum Colombo premises, from 9.30 am - 8.00 pm. Free admission.

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