Thavachsri Charles Vijayaratnam from Kilinochchi has been honoured with the UNDP managed N-Peace Award -2013, in recognition of her unceasing efforts to improve the lives of the rural communities.
The UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Centre (APRC), in its report on selecting Vijayaratnam for the award, said, she played many roles through her social service activities in the Kilinochchi region.
“This can be seen in the many hats she wears: From serving as Secretary of the Community-level Women’s Rural Development Society, President of a women’s group, Treasurer of the Women’s Development Federation and the Secretary of the Divisional Network Committee of the Karaichchi Division in Kilinochchi.
“Vijayaratnam’s activism spans the spectrum. She has helped orphans and disadvantaged children to access education, assisted families with malnourished children to obtain support, and helped communities to obtain essential legal documents such as birth certificates, death certificates and land rights documents.
“She has also worked extensively for the advancement of women’s rights and livelihoods by supporting women-headed households to access revolving loan funds and skills development trainings. By integrating vulnerable and marginalized groups into society, Vijayaratnam paves the way for a peace that benefits all,” the UNDP said in a release.
Thavachsri Charles Vijayaratnam will be awarded the N-Peace award-2013 along with other women recipients from Afghanistan, Nepal, Philippines, East Timor and Indonesia, at an event to be held in Bangkok in October.