The Centre for Media and Information Literacy
The 6th ELEVATE Film Screening and Panel Discussion took place at the Trincomalee Campus, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, showcasing ten short films produced by female undergraduates. The event, organized by the university administration and the Gender Cell, in collaboration with the Centre for Media Information and Literacy (CMIL), provided a crucial platform to discuss Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Cyber Gender-Based Violence (CGBV) in universities.
The screening featured films created by 50 female students, addressing critical gender-related challenges faced by university students such as intimate partner violence, menstruation, unsafe abortion, and the stigma around gender stereotypes. The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Prof. (Mrs.) Chandravathany G. Devadason, the Rector of the Campus.
Following the screenings, a panel discussion was conducted, chaired by Dr. Pushpika Ganegoda, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Languages and Communication Studies. The panelists included:
A key discussion point of the panel discussion was the lack of resources allocated for SRHR policies in universities. Ms. Sivapriya Sriram highlighted the struggles faced by both female students and staff due to inadequate facilities. She referenced one of the short films, ‘Washroom,’ which portrays the lack of proper sanitation for women in universities. She stated, “One of the biggest challenges is resource allocation. The university budget for 2025 is insufficient to meet the needs of all students.”
Dr. Pushpika Ganegoda addressed gender inequality in university housing, noting that male students often receive better hostel facilities despite having fewer students. She questioned outdated student union policies, stating, “Why can’t hostels be shared with separate floors for men and women? Student unions still think in a traditional way.”
In addition, Dr. Breman emphasized the importance of equal female representation in leadership roles across student unions and university committees. He stated, “They believe one woman’s name on a list is enough to represent all women. True representation means equal participation.”
Additionally, the panel discussed the importance of maternity leave for female undergraduates, advocating for proper policies and respect for their rights.
Ms. Sivapriya Sriram suggested that gender discussions should be incorporated into academic courses. She also emphasized the role of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in supporting gender equity initiatives, highlighting the University Gender Equality and Equity Cell and the newly established UGC online portal for reporting gender-based issues.
Dr. Aloysius Britto Ithayaraj stressed the power of research in mainstreaming gender discussions, stating, “Research forums should encourage students to explore gender-related issues and push for policy changes.
The event, coordinated by Mr. Joel Jairus from the Department of Languages and Communication Studies, brought together over 300 students, with an equal amount of participation from male and female to engage in these critical conversations. The discussions underscored the need for stronger policies, increased female leadership, and better resource allocation to create a more gender-equitable academic environment in Sri Lanka.
With growing awareness and institutional support, Sri Lankan universities are taking a step forward in addressing SRHR and cyber gender-based violence, paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive educational system.
