International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Breaking the Silence: Ending Violence Against Women in Sri Lanka and Beyond

Every year, November 25 is observed as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This day is not just a symbolic gesture—it is a global call to action, urging individuals, governments, and communities to stand up against all forms of violence faced by women and girls.

Violence against women is not limited to physical abuse. It includes psychological, sexual, emotional, and economic violence. These acts can happen in homes, schools, workplaces, and even in public spaces. Sadly, in Sri Lanka, as in many other countries, gender-based violence (GBV) continues to be a serious and widespread issue, often hidden behind cultural silence and social stigma.

A Global Crisis with Local Roots

According to the United Nations, 1 in 3 women globally has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. In Sri Lanka, surveys show alarming levels of violence too. A study by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs found that 1 in 5 women had experienced intimate partner violence. However, many more cases go unreported due to fear, shame, or lack of trust in the justice system.

Domestic violence, child marriages, sexual harassment in public transport, and workplace discrimination are just a few of the many forms of violence that Sri Lankan women face regularly. The issue is deeply rooted in patriarchal attitudes, where men are seen as dominant and women are expected to be submissive.

The Role of Culture and Society

Cultural expectations often pressure women to remain silent. In many households, violence is seen as a “private matter.” Girls are taught to tolerate abusive behavior to protect the family's honor. Victims are often blamed rather than supported. This silence allows the cycle of abuse to continue from one generation to the next.

Even in cases of rape or sexual assault, victims face stigma, while perpetrators often walk free. Fear of social rejection, lack of legal support, and slow court procedures prevent many women from seeking justice.

The Power of Education and Awareness

One powerful way to fight violence against women is through education. Schools and universities must teach both boys and girls about gender equality, respect, and consent. Boys should be raised in environments that reject violence and promote emotional expression and empathy.

Media also plays a crucial role. TV shows, films, and social media can either reinforce harmful gender roles or challenge them. In Sri Lanka, efforts are being made to change narratives and highlight women’s voices through art, journalism, and activism.

Government Action and Legal Support in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has laws such as the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (2005), and the Penal Code Amendment (1995) which criminalizes sexual harassment. However, implementation is weak. Many police officers are not trained to handle GBV cases sensitively, and victims often face secondary trauma at police stations or hospitals.

More needs to be done to provide safe shelters, hotlines, counselling, and free legal aid for survivors. Community-based support systems—especially in rural areas—are essential.

Hope and Change

Despite the challenges, many Sri Lankan women and organizations are working tirelessly to break the silence. Activists, NGOs like Women In Need (WIN), and survivors themselves are leading awareness campaigns, support networks, and legal reform movements.

The “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence”, which begins on November 25 and ends on December 10 (Human Rights Day), is a global campaign that is now widely observed in Sri Lanka too. Schools, universities, and workplaces conduct events, discussions, and marches to show solidarity and demand change.

What Can You/we Do?

• Listen to survivors without judgment.
• Speak out against sexist jokes, harassment, and violence.
• Support local women's shelters and organizations.
• Educate yourself and others about consent and gender rights.
• Demand better laws and stronger enforcement from the government.

In the essence, i would like to day that Violence against women is not a “women’s issue” — it is a human rights issue. It affects families, communities, and the progress of an entire nation. Let this November 25 not just be a day of remembrance, but a day of action. Every voice counts, and together, we can build a Sri Lanka where women live with dignity, safety, and freedom.

International Men’s Day - 2025

🌟 INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY – NOVEMBER 19 🌟

*Celebrating the Strength, Courage, and Heart of Every Man*

International Men’s Day is a moment to honor the men who shape our world with dedication, compassion, and resilience. Today, we recognize fathers who guide their families with love, brothers who stand by us with loyalty, sons who carry hope for the future, and friends who support us in moments when words aren’t enough.

This day also highlights the importance of men’s mental health, reminding us that strength is not about hiding emotions but having the courage to express them. Men deserve understanding, encouragement, and a safe space to grow.

International Men’s Day encourages positive role models, respect, equality, and the development of healthy values in boys and young men. It celebrates kindness, honesty, responsibility, and the quiet sacrifices men make every day without expecting praise.

As we appreciate their contributions, let us also inspire men to take care of themselves, build meaningful connections, and lead with empathy and purpose.

To all the men who uplift, protect, motivate, and inspire—today is for you.
Your strength builds families.
Your kindness builds communities.
Your presence builds a better world.

Happy International Men’s Day!
“Stronger Minds. Stronger Men. Stronger World.”

World Prematurity Day - 2025

World Prematurity Day, celebrated on November 17, is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about preterm birth, its challenges, and the importance of supporting babies born too early. Every year, millions of babies are born before completing 37 weeks of gestation, making preterm birth the leading cause of newborn deaths worldwide. The day highlights both the struggles and incredible strength of premature babies and their families.

Prematurity is the birth of a baby before 37 weeks of gestation. Premature babies often need special medical care because their organs - especially the lungs, brain, and nervous system - may not be fully developed. Premature births are classified as:

• Late preterm birth: 34–36 weeks
• Moderate preterm birth: 32–34 weeks
• Very preterm birth: less than 32 weeks
• Extremely preterm birth: less than 28 weeks

Each level comes with different challenges, but with the right care, most premature babies survive and grow up healthy.

Why is World Premature Birth Day important?

• Raises awareness: Helps communities understand the causes, prevention, and risks of preterm birth.
• Supports families: Encourages emotional and financial support for parents coping with the stress of preterm birth.
• Improves health care: Focuses on the need for better neonatal facilities, trained staff, and medical resources.
• Promotes global action: Reminds governments and health organizations to invest in maternal and newborn health.

Although the cause is sometimes unknown, several factors increase the risk:

• Infections during pregnancy
• High blood pressure or diabetes
• Multiple pregnancies (twins/triplets)
• Poor prenatal care
• Smoking, alcohol or drug use
• Stress or physical violence
• Previous preterm birth

Understanding these risk factors can help with prevention and early intervention.

Challenges faced by premature babies

• Breathing difficulties
• Heart complications
• Feeding problems
• Infections
• Vision and hearing problems
• Developmental delays

However, with advanced medical care - especially in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) - survival rates continue to improve.

The Role of NICUs and Health Professionals

World Premature Infant Day honors the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who work in NICUs. They provide:

• Constant medical monitoring
• Breathing support
• Temperature control
• Infection prevention
• Guidance and emotional support for parents

Their dedication plays a critical role in helping premature babies thrive.

How communities can support

• Educate others about premature birth.
• Wear purple, the official color of World Premature Infant Day, to show solidarity.
• Support families emotionally and financially.
• Encourage expectant mothers to attend regular checkups and adopt healthy lifestyle practices.

World Prematurity Day Theme (General Focus)

Each year the day highlights a specific theme, usually focusing on:

• Family Involvement in NICU Care
• Equitable Access to Health Services
• Parent Empowerment
• Prevention of Prematurity

World Prematurity Day is a reminder of the fragility of life, the strength of families, and the importance of quality health care for every mother and child. It encourages the world to stand together for the littlest warriors – babies born too soon – and to work towards a future that significantly reduces preventable prematurity.

Healthy Drinks for People with Diabetes

💙 HOPE FOR DIABETES – Phase 01 | Session 01

Article 10: Healthy Drinks for People with Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition caused by high levels of sugar in the blood. If not properly managed, it can lead to serious health complications. Choosing the right food and drinks is extremely important. Below are some healthy drinks that help manage diabetes.

Water

Water is the most suitable drink for people with diabetes. It contains no sugar or artificial additives and helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Benefits:

• Helps flush out toxins from the body
• Supports kidney health
• Provides energy

Recommendation: Drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day.

Green Tea

Green tea is a sugar-free beverage rich in antioxidants. It is highly beneficial in managing diabetes and overall body health.

Regulates Blood Sugar Levels: Polyphenols and catechins improve insulin sensitivity, aiding blood sugar control.

A Sugar-Free and Calorie-Free Beverage: Usually consumed without sugar or milk, making it ideal for people with diabetes.

Beli Flower Drink (Bael Flower Tea)

Beli (Bael) is a traditional medicinal plant in Sri Lanka. Its flowers help lower blood glucose and improve insulin function.

Low in Sugar and Calories: Prepared without sugar or milk, it does not negatively impact blood sugar levels.

Bitter Gourd Juice (Karela Juice)

Bitter gourd has natural medicinal properties supporting blood sugar control. Its juice provides direct benefits for diabetes management.

Types of Herbal Porridge (Kenda)

• Ranawara Kenda
• Neeramulliya Kenda
• Kowakka (Ivy Gourd) Kenda
• Beli Kola Kenda

Drinks to Avoid

• Sugary sodas
• Bottled drinks with artificial sweeteners
• Coffee with excessive milk or sugar

Benefits of Healthy Beverages

• Blood sugar regulation
• Low in sugar and calories
• Detoxification of the body
• Antioxidant effects
• Improved cardiovascular health

Traditional and natural beverages offer many benefits in managing diabetes. Choosing the right drinks is as important as choosing the right foods for maintaining good health.

🌿 Hope for Diabetes – Awareness for a Healthier Tomorrow

ජාත්‍යන්තර ඉවසීමේ දිනය - 2025

ජාත්‍යන්තර වශයෙන් ඉවසීම සඳහා නියමිත දිනය වන්නේ නොවැම්බර් 16 වැනිදායි. මෙම දිනය ලොව පුරා සැමරෙන අතර, සංස්කෘතික, සමාජීය හා ආගමික විවිධත්වය පිළිබඳ අවබෝධය, ගෞරවය හා අගය ප්‍රවර්ධනය කිරීම අරමුණු කරයි.

ජාත්‍යන්තර ඉවසීමේ දිනය සඳහා යුනෙස්කෝ විසින් 1995 නොවැම්බර් 16 වන දින ඉවසීම පිළිබඳ මූලධර්ම ප්‍රකාශය අනුමත කරන ලදී. මෙම දිනය ඉවසීම යනු අපේ ලෝකයේ සංස්කෘතික, භාෂාමය හා ආගමික විවිධත්වය පිළිබඳ ගෞරවය, පිළිගැනීම හා අගය යනුවෙන් අර්ථ දක්වන අතර, මෙම දිනයේදී මහාත්මා ගාන්ධි මහතාගේ 125 වැනි උපන් දිනය සමරනු ලබයි.

මෙම දිනය අරමුණු කරන්නේ මානව අයිතිවාසිකම්, සංස්කෘතික විවිධත්වය සහ සාමය ප්‍රවර්ධනය කිරීමයි. ඒ අනුව ඉවසීම යනු නිෂ්ක්‍රිය පිළිගැනීමක් නොව, අවබෝධය, ගෞරවය හා එකමුතුව ප්‍රවර්ධනය කිරීම සඳහා ක්‍රියාත්මක වීමක් බව අවධාරණය කරයි.

නොවැම්බර් 16 වැනිදා රජයන්, සංවිධාන හා සමාජ කණ්ඩායම් විසින් ඉවසීම පිළිබඳ අවධානය යොමු කරන උත්සව, අධ්‍යාපනික වැඩසටහන් හා ප්‍රචාරක ක්‍රියාකාරකම් සංවිධානය කරන අතර, මෙම උත්සව විශේෂයෙන් සංස්කෘතික හා සමාජීය අභියෝග ඇති ප්‍රදේශවල සංවාදය, සමාජ ඒකාබද්ධතාව හා ඉවසීම ප්‍රවර්ධනය කිරීම සඳහා අවධානය යොමු කරයි.

ඉවසීම යනු විවිධ සංස්කෘතික හා සමාජ කණ්ඩායම් අතර සාමය හා ඒකාබද්ධතාවය පවත්වා ගැනීමට අත්‍යවශ්‍ය අංගයකි. ලෝකය තුළ විවිධත්වය වැඩි වෙමින් පවතින අතර, ඉවසීම නොමැතිව සමාජ සාමය හා මානව අයිතිවාසිකම් අභියෝගයට ලක්වේ. ඉවසීම ප්‍රවර්ධනය කිරීමේ ජාත්‍යන්තර දිනය මගින් සමස්ථ ලොව තුළ සැබෑ සාමයක් හා අවබෝධයක් ගොඩනංවා ගත හැකිය.

මේ අනුව ජාත්‍යන්තර ඉවසීමේ දිනය යනු සංස්කෘතික, සමාජීය හා ආගමික විවිධත්වය පිළිබඳ ගෞරවය, පිළිගැනීම හා අගය ප්‍රවර්ධනය කිරීම සඳහා අත්‍යවශ්‍ය අවස්ථාවකි. මෙම දිනය තුළ අවංකභාවය ප්‍රවර්ධනය කිරීම මගින් අප සියළු දෙනාම සාමයක්, අවබෝධයක් හා අයිතිවාසිකම් පිළිබඳ සංස්කෘතියක් ගොඩනංවාගැනීම පිණිස පෙළගැසීම ඉතා වැදගත් වේ.

International Day for Tolerance - 2025

Following a declaration by UNESCO in 1995, the International Day for Tolerance is celebrated every year on November 16. The day promotes understanding, respect and acceptance among people of different cultures, religions, ethnicities and opinions. In a world where conflict, discrimination and hate speech are on the rise, tolerance has become an essential value for peaceful societies.

Tolerance is not simply about “putting up with others”. Rather, it represents a deep respect for the diversity and rights of every human being. It encourages individuals and communities to value differences rather than fear them. Tolerance allows people to communicate, work and live together despite disagreements, ensuring social harmony and stability.

UNESCO emphasizes that tolerance should be supported through education. Teaching children and young people about empathy, cultural respect and peaceful conflict resolution helps build stable and inclusive societies. Schools, universities and community organizations play a key role in promoting these values. The media also have an important responsibility to prevent the spread of stereotypes and encourage positive dialogue.

The International Day for Tolerance reminds governments to protect human rights and ensure equality for all citizens. Laws against discrimination, protection of minority groups and fairness in justice systems are essential to creating an environment in which tolerance can flourish.

In everyday life, practicing tolerance begins with small actions – listening to others, avoiding prejudice, respecting different ways of life and choosing kindness over judgment. When individuals develop tolerance, communities become safer, stronger and more connected.

Finally, the International Day for Tolerance serves as a powerful reminder that peace cannot exist without mutual respect and understanding. By embracing diversity and valuing the uniqueness of each person, the world can move towards greater harmony and cooperation.

🌍 #InternationalDayForTolerance | #UNESCO | #Harmony

The Importance of Regular Check-Ups for Diabetes

💙 HOPE FOR DIABETES – Phase 01 | Session 01

Article 09: The Importance of Regular Check-Ups for Diabetes

Living with diabetes requires ongoing attention and care, but one of the most powerful tools in managing this condition effectively is something surprisingly simple: regular medical check-ups. These routine appointments are far more than just formalities—they're essential safeguards that can prevent complications, catch problems early, and help you live a longer, healthier life.

Why Regular Monitoring Matters

Diabetes is often called a "silent disease" because many of its complications develop gradually without obvious symptoms. High blood sugar levels can quietly damage blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, and eyes over time. By the time symptoms appear, significant damage may have already occurred. Regular check-ups allow healthcare providers to detect these changes early, when interventions are most effective.

Think of these appointments as maintenance for your body, similar to how you'd service a car to keep it running smoothly. Catching small issues before they become major problems can save you from serious health complications down the road.

What Gets Monitored During Check-Ups

A comprehensive diabetes check-up typically includes several key assessments:

• Blood glucose and HbA1c testing — provides a picture of your blood sugar control over the past two to three months.
• Blood pressure monitoring — crucial because people with diabetes face higher risks of cardiovascular disease.
• Cholesterol and lipid profiles — assess cardiovascular risk and help prevent heart disease.
• Kidney function tests — screen for diabetic nephropathy, allowing for early intervention.
• Eye examinations — detect diabetic retinopathy before vision loss occurs.
• Foot examinations — identify nerve damage and circulation problems to prevent infections and amputations.

The Recommended Schedule

Most people with diabetes should see their healthcare provider every three to six months, depending on their blood sugar control and overall health. Annual exams should include detailed eye checks, kidney tests, and cardiovascular assessments.

Beyond Physical Health

Regular check-ups also support emotional and practical challenges. These appointments are an opportunity to discuss medication, diet, stress, or any struggles in daily diabetes management. Your healthcare provider can guide you, adjust treatment plans, and connect you with support resources.

Taking Control of Your Health

Regular check-ups empower you to take an active role in managing your diabetes. They help you understand progress, make informed decisions, and stay motivated. You become a key partner in your own healthcare journey.

The Bottom Line

Diabetes is manageable, but it requires consistent monitoring. Regular check-ups help prevent complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision loss. Prioritizing these visits is an investment in a healthier, longer life. Remember—your healthcare team is there to guide you, not judge you.

🌿 Hope for Diabetes – Awareness for a Healthier Tomorrow