12 Feb, 2016
Tea Small Holder Factories PLC joined together with John Keells Foundation in conducting Project WAVE (Working Against Violence through Education) in educating their suppliers, staff, workers and the community around them about Gender-Based Violence. From July to September, more than 5 sessions were conducted in TSF- Ratnapura (Karawita and New Panawena), TSF-Galle (Kurupanawa and Halvitigala), TSF- Galle (Hingalgoda and Neluwa), TSF – Pasgoda and Hingalgoda, and TSF- Broadlands, with over 300 persons being sensitized.
The response for the programme was well-received with an unprecedented amount of participants requesting for the sessions to be conducted within the community for the general public. After the first programme for the workers was organized in Hingalgoda, another programme for their families and communities was organized as TSF recognized the sheer importance and benefit of such awareness. The community was very pleased with the session and praised the trainers for their knowledge and effort in addressing such an important issue. The success of the sessions were apparent through the active participation and openness of the audience to discuss gender-based issues. Many participants noting the dire need for such awareness in their communities where violence is a daily occurrence. TSF is currently considering taking on more sessions to educate and the support the community in order to eliminate such violent acts from occurring in the future.
A huge thank you to all the factory managers and workers who helped organize these sessions including Mr. Nalaka Weragoda from TSF – Kurupanawa, Mr. Dulip Karunadasa from TSF – Hingalgoda, Mr. Sanjaya Dissanayake from TSF – Neluwa Medagama, Mr. Mahinda Rupasinghe from TSF – Halwitigala, Mr. Nilantha Weerasighe from TSF – Broadlands and, Mr. Harish Wanasinghe for coordinating with JKF