Sthree - A Woman's Initiative

sOn Tuesday, June 10^th, 2007 the Women’d Development Centre (WDC) of Kandy opened its much anticipated sales outlet at 327 Peradeniya Road, next to Fashion Bug. The sales outlet is appropriately named ‘Sthree’ which means ‘Woman’ in both Sinhala and Tamil. The main purpose of the shop is to promote quality handcrafted items made primarily by Sri Lankan women.

The merchandise displayed at Sthree comes from all over Sri Lanka. There are brightly colored handloom sarees from Batticaloa and Kalmunai and handloom home décor items from Welimada, stunning silver jewelry from Galle, tasty chutneys and jams from Kurunegala, traditional watti trays and rice containers from Mahiyangana and recycled paper products from Hanguranketha.

The products from local entrepreneurs make up about half of the merchandise though. There are eco-friendly purses and handbags from Ampitiya, stylish batik wraparound skirts and home décor items by the Kandy City Mission, striking collage artwork by A.G. Dineshini of Katugastota and fashionable silk scarfs and shawls created by a talented woman in Kandy. There is also beautiful wood furniture handcrafted by people with disabilities at WDC’s Voacational Training Centre in Ampitiya.

Sthree is operated not-for-profit. Most of the products for sale at the shop are taken on consignment and the entrepreneurs are paid once the merchandise is sold. Sthree does take a small percent of the sales price on sold merchandise though to contribute towards the operating costs of the shop. Sthree’s goal is that it will eventually become self-sustainable.

The secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Industries and Women’s affairs, Mrs. Shirani Weerakoon was the guest of honor at the opening ceremony and cut the purple opening ribbon – the color for International Women’s Day, lead in lighting the ceremonial lamp and in her speech reinforced the importance of the government and non-government organizations to work together to effectively support local women entrepreneurs. 

WDC’s goal of economic empowerment of women is part of their overall approach to preventing violence against women. WDC became a registered organization in 1989, following approximately ten years of working with women in a more ad hoc manner. Initial activities concentrated on crisis intervention for female victims of violence. Indeed today, WDC runs the largest women’s shelter in Sri Lanka, located just outside Kandy. Since its inception though, it had broadened the scope of its work to a more holistic approach to prevent violence against women.

WDC’s community development programming now includes basic health education, including HIV/AIDS awareness, legal right education, children’s rights education, livelihood and entrepreneurship training along with provision of small loans.

WDC also works extensively with people with disabilities. Women with disabilities and women with children with disabilities face more challenges in life and due to their vulnerability are at a greater risk of violence. WDC also recognizes that the whole family unit is impacted when a member has a disability and WDC strives to provide them with information, assistance and when appropriate with training. WDC has a large community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) center in Kandy for children with disabilities and 9 other satellite CBR centers in Kandy district. WDC also runs a Vocational Training Center in Ampitiya in partnership with Central Province Ministry of Social Services for Youth with Disabilities. Sewing, needlework, candle-making, and woodwork are taught for up to 2 years, depending on clients’ needs. These hand-crafted products are also displayed for sale at Sthree.

In addition to all of its long term programming, WDC is also involved in relief work. It was among the first on the scene in Eastern Sri Lanka providing aid to tsunami victims and continues to provide assistance through its housing and livelihood programs there. WDC was quick to react through its network to provide aid to the landslide victims Hangurankha area in the past too.

Not only has WDC broadened the scope of its work, it has also expanded its community development programs to other geographical areas. In addition to its home base of Kandy, WDC is now active through its Women’s Network for Development and Peace (WNDP) in several other areas in Sri Lanka including Hanguranketha, Kekirawa, Matale, Batticaloa, Kalmunai, Vavuniya and Galle regions.

The WDC is always eager to continue expanding their support to women and differently abled entrepreneurs. If you have products you would like to sell in Sthree please contact Nithya at Sthree, phone number 0814 933 593 or WDC Head Office 0812 234511 to make an appointment to show your samples.