Every survivor deserves access to justice, safety, and dignity. The Empowerment Toolkit, created by iProbono in partnership with Emerge Lanka Foundation, is a tangible step toward that goal.
Designed for young women survivors of sexual and gender-based violence — especially those leaving institutional care — the Toolkit provides practical guidance on navigating the legal system, accessing protection mechanisms, and building self-confidence. It combines iProbono’s legal expertise with Emerge Lanka’s trauma-informed approach to deliver knowledge that heals and empowers.
We gathered with our partners to launch the toolkit at an event titled “Navigating the Rights and Protections for Women and Survivors of Sexual and Physical Violence in Sri Lanka.” The discussion went beyond policy, centering real stories of courage and resilience.
Why this Resource Matters
Young women leaving institutional care often face unique challenges marked by stigma, isolation, and barriers to reintegration into society. The Empowerment Toolkit aims to bridge that gap. It helps them navigate both life and the legal system, reassuring them that they are not alone, that their rights matter, and that they are entitled to safety, protection and dignity.
Speakers and panelists from the legal, social work, and child protection sectors emphasised the importance of collaboration between government and civil society to make justice survivor-centred and trauma-informed.
Shevindri Manuel, Program Manager, Sri Lanka, iProbono, shared the vision behind the Toolkit and how it is designed to build young women’s confidence in navigating their rights.
Anuradha Rathnayake, Centre Operations Officer at Emerge Lanka Foundation, pointed out that the resource had already achieved a real-world impact, by helping young women at the Centre for Reintegration better understand their rights and access support systems.
A panel discussion titled “Beyond Policy: Pathways to Empowerment,” moderated by Aritha Wickramasinghe, Equality Law Director at iProbono, brought together Jerusha Crosette-Thambiah (Attorney-at-Law and Gender Practitioner), Ushani Athapattu (Legal Officer, National Child Protection Authority), and Kaavya Pathirana (Communications Lead, Emerge Lanka Foundation), and took up the issue of removing barriers to justice, building trauma-informed systems, and ensuring that children and young people remain at the centre of all justice processes. Nikini Mapitigama, Attorney-at-Law and Executive Committee Member of the Bar Association, spoke to the broader significance of initiatives like the Empowerment Toolkit. She affirmed how such resources can equip young women to understand and assert their rights, even in the absence of immediate legal support.
Panel discussion “Beyond Policy: Pathways to Empowerment,” moderated by Aritha Wickramasinghe
Through this collaboration, iProbono and Emerge Lanka Foundation reaffirm their commitment to building a society where survivors are not just protected, but empowered to claim their rights and opportunities.
Access the Empowerment Toolkit to learn more about your rights and how communities can come together to support survivors.
