Rights activists have been abducted, detained and assaulted in
the pursuit of their work in Sri Lanka, both during and after the war.
Even under the present government, the crackdown on the freedom of
expression continues, with activists subjected to surveillance, threats
and outright violence over the past year. Additionally, women activists face other invisible barriers.
Women have played a key role in activism throughout history. Movements such as ‘Kulangana Samithi’ and ‘Mahila Samithi’ became important entry points
for women into public life, and to working for women’s interests since
the pre-Independence era. And yet, woman activists are perceived as
somehow suspect for the most incredible reasons, for example, when
speaking out about issues in public fora, traveling frequently, working
with men in the field, or simply for using WhatsApp and Facebook – as
those interviewed for this piece told Groundviews.
The vicious commentary levelled at women, when they do speak on
controversial issues, is revealing. In March 2017, attorney-at-law
Ermiza Tegal was subject to profane comments
during an interview with BBC Sinhala, where she was speaking on the
call for reform of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA). In August
2017, Mariyasuresh Easwary, a key figure among family members of the
disappeared participating in a continuous roadside protest in
Mullaitivu, was threatened and assaulted by State Intelligence personnel.
Groundviews spoke to women
activists in three provinces, who are working on a range of issues
impacting their communities, from pushing to abolish discriminatory
legislation and protecting survivors of harassment and abuse, to
fighting corruption in local authorities. They tell of their experiences
in working with those who have experienced technology-based violence,
and how they respond when they find themselves targets for hate.
Read the full story on Sway here or embedded below.
