Feminist Mental Health & Collective Care programme in Mannar
On 4 November 2026 the Centre for Women & Development (CWD) conducted a programme on Feminist Mental Health & Collective Care in…
Jaffna, Sri LankaSince 1988மகளிர் அபிவிருத்தி நிலையம்
Improving the social, economic and political situation of women in Northern Sri Lanka
The Centre for Women & Development (CWD) works with women-headed households, war widows, displaced and war-affected women through advocacy and rights-based programmes.
1988Founded in Jaffna, when no other local organisation was dedicated to women’s issues
54,532women-headed households in the Northern Province documented in CWD’s data
150women trained in 2016 to contest local government elections
150persons with disabilities given livelihood support in 2019
Who we are
A resource centre for women, by women, in Jaffna
CWD was established in 1988 and became an autonomous, registered non-governmental organisation. Our main goal is to improve women’s social, economic and political situation locally, with an emphasis on advocacy and rights-based programmes.
Our field programmes first covered Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. The conflict narrowed our work to Jaffna, where we stayed with displaced and affected women throughout the war. Since the war ended, our programmes have again reached women in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya.
What we do
Our programmes
From legal aid to livelihoods, our work responds to what women in the North tell us they need.
Women-headed households & widows
Documenting and organising women-headed families and war widows, with livelihood, counselling and group support.
Women’s land rights
Helping displaced women and widows recover documents and land, and researching land issues in the North.
Legal aid & ending violence
Jaffna’s pioneering free legal aid unit for domestic violence cases, legal clinics and anti-violence campaigns.
Awareness & training
Training on CEDAW, UNSCR 1325, the Domestic Violence Act and human rights for women, officials and students.
Peace & women in politics
Peace-building dialogues across communities and leadership training for women entering politics.
Children’s rights
Children’s rights courses, school awareness programmes, Children’s Day events and educational support.
Livelihoods & disability
Livelihood assistance, skills training and support for persons with disabilities.
Emergency relief
Dry-ration relief for families affected by floods and Cyclone Ditwah, with Ten for Tamils.
International advocacy
Our voice at the United Nations
In March 2017, CWD’s founder Saroja Sivachandran spoke at a side event of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on women’s and minority rights in Sri Lanka’s transitional justice process.
Latest
News & events
Digital rights and online safety workshop for women in Kilinochchi
On 3 October 2026 the Centre for Women & Development (CWD) organised a workshop on digital rights, cybercrime support and reporting for…
CWD joins Pathways to Peace to strengthen women’s voice and GBV response in Jaffna
In June 2026 the Centre for Women & Development (CWD) began a new project under Pathways to Peace, working in Jaffna District…
International Women’s Day Celebration – 8 March 2026
The Centre for Women & Development (CWD) celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March at the Jaffna Public Library Auditorium. The event…
Dry-ration relief for flood- and cyclone-affected families
The Centre for Women and Development assisted flood-affected families by distributing dry ration packs in Velanai, Kopay and Kayts, sponsored by Ten…
CWD endorses open statement to the UN Security Council on Women, Peace and Security
On 6 October 2025 the United Nations Security Council held its annual open debate on Resolution 1325 and the Women, Peace and…
Follow us
Latest from Facebook
We share photos and news from our programmes, events and relief work on our Facebook page, often as they happen.
Our founder
Saroja Sivachandran
Saroja Sivachandran founded CWD in 1988 and is its Executive Director. She attended the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, and in 2017 she was elected to the Bureau of South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR).
With thanks
Partners & supporters
Our current work is generously supported by Ten for Tamils, Australia. Past partners include:
- Ten for Tamils
- WUSC
- ICTA
- National Peace Council
- European Union
- Search for Common Ground
- The Asia Foundation
- SDC
- DRC
- UNDP
- Australian DAP
Stand with women in Northern Sri Lanka
Partner with us, volunteer your skills, or support a programme for women-headed households, survivors of violence and their children.