The fight against violence against women and the promotion of women’s empowerment have become pressing issues in today’s society. Recognizing the urgency of addressing these concerns, the Public Relations Committee of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura organized the remarkable initiative called “Someone’s Daughter Volume 05” for the 5th consecutive year. This project encompassed a series of impactful activities, including articles, social media campaigns, podcasts, videos, competition, and the release of the fourth edition of “Someone’s Daughter” e-magazine which was published in the Official Blog of RACUSJ. Through these various mediums, the project aimed to raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and effect positive change in reducing violence against women and promoting gender equality for a whole year.

16 Days of Activism: The project kicked off with a thought-provoking series of social media posts focusing on violence against women, coinciding with the global campaign of “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.” These informative pieces aimed to educate the public about the different forms of violence that women face, highlight the importance of breaking the silence and encourage individuals to take action.

In addition, a series of articles were published in the Official Blog of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura pertaining to International Days related to women and empowering articles. Also, various social media challenges were initiated targeting special occasions where a lot of people participated actively. Apart from these, to emphasize the issues faced by women, we raised awareness through various posters on statistics related to violence against women.

“Let Them Have Power” Podcast Series: Understanding the significance of providing a platform for women’s voices to be heard, the “Someone’s Daughter” project launched the empowering “Let Them Have Power” podcast series. This platform served as a medium for women to share their experiences, insights, and stories, allowing them to contribute to the societal dialogue on women’s issues. By amplifying these voices, the project aimed to challenge stereotypes, inspire change, and foster empathy and understanding.

“Think Twice” Video Series: To shed light on the darker aspects of society concerning women, the project introduced the “Think Twice” video series. These powerful videos tackled sensitive topics and confronted societal norms that perpetuate violence and discrimination against women. By addressing these issues head-on, the project aimed to provoke thought, challenge biases, and encourage individuals to reevaluate their attitudes and behaviours.

“දියණියයි ඈ” Poetry Competition: Continuing our efforts to empower women, the project organized a poetry competition in commemoration of International Women’s Day. This competition provided a creative outlet for individuals to express their support for women’s rights, celebrate their achievements, and raise awareness of the ongoing challenges women face in society. The competition served as a catalyst for fostering creativity, unity, and solidarity in the pursuit of gender equality. There were many beautiful poems submitted by individuals all over Sri Lanka and you can read them on our Official Someone’s Daughter Facebook Page.

Video Series on utilizing innovation and technology to enhance gender equality: This year, International Women’s Day was celebrated under the theme, “In a digital age, the need for new technology, new inventions, and an innovative education system to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment”, highlighting the importance of bridging the digital gap among communities and genders. So, Collaborating with the members of the District Steering Committee of Rotaract in Rotary International District 3220, the project released a compelling video series that delved into the ways in which technological advancements and innovative solutions can play a pivotal role in breaking down barriers and promoting gender equality. By highlighting the intersection of technology and gender equality, the project aimed to inspire individuals to harness the power of innovation to create a more inclusive and equal world for all.

Interactive Poster Campaign: Creating a visual impact to engage the community, the project launched an interactive poster campaign. These eye-catching posters were strategically placed, designed in such a way that people could tear off a section to reveal hidden message and the QR code to our official Facebook & Instagram pages so the people can stand with us against the violence against women. This innovative approach sought to create awareness, spark conversations, and encourage individuals to reflect on the issue and take action. We carried out this campaign around Nugegoda.

SHE 360: This was a novel initiative where stories of well-known female figures around the world were shared through the Official Facebook and Instagram pages for SHE 360. The aim of this initiative was to empower women through different success stories.

The “Someone’s Daughter Volume 05” project, organized by the Public Relations Committee of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, made significant strides in raising awareness about violence against women and promoting women’s empowerment. Through a diverse range of activities such as articles, social media campaigns, podcasts, videos, competitions, and the release of the “Someone’s Daughter” magazine, the project aimed to challenge societal norms, inspire dialogue, and effect positive change. By amplifying women’s voices, fostering empathy, and encouraging individuals to reevaluate their attitudes, the project has made commendable contributions towards creating a safer, more equal society. The efforts of the Club and all those involved in the project serve as an inspiration for others to continue the fight for women’s rights and a violence-free future.

Written by: Rtr. Supun Tharaka

Graphic design by: Rtr. Supun Tharaka