Sri Lanka Women’s Development Service Cooperative Society Limited (SLWDSCSL) received the Award for Excellence at a commemorative event to mark the International Women’s Day which fell on March 8.

Organised by the United Nations Country Team, Sri Lanka and UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, it took place in Colombo.

SLWDSCSL is a community based, self-reliant membership organisation that empowers and builds the capacities of women in underserved communities. The award was received by members Anoma Perera and A. D. Nilanthi. Speaking at the ceremony, Anoma said SLWDSCSL was owned and operated exclusively by women.

She said that with a membership of 60,000 with a loan portfolio of more than US 6.5 million from women’s savings and income from loans,the organisation promoted the improvement and the socio-economic and cultural status of its members.

UN Resident Coordinator Neil Buhne said women contribute more than half to society and also provide highest returns for investing in education.

He said investing in women was good for everyone.

UN under Secretary and UN-Habitat Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka said in our unequal world, it was the women living and working in slums and informal settlements who bore the brunt of the poor living conditions as a result of overcrowding, insecurity, and lack of access to water, sanitation and other basic amenities.

"They are also the first and most frequent victims of crime and violence, she added."