The Island spoke to a few women, engaged in different professions, about their opinion of the present day women and the challenges she has to face in today’s fast moving world.

The dynamic doctor - Paba Palihawadana

Dengue, Rubella, new influenza A N1H1, leptospyrosis are all hot topics, at present, owing to the fact that the country has seen and is still going through a serious situation with the outbreak of these diseases. No one hesitates to accuse the ‘The Epidemiology Unit’ for the present situation, disregarding the fact that not only the Unit but also the general public are responsible for such large outbreaks. But amidst all this chaos, there is one person who has to shoulder the burden and face the music. She is a ‘mighty atom’ in the world of medicine; what with her charming good looks, impeccable attire and her pleaslat demeanor.Dr. Paba Palihawadana holds one of the key positions in the Sri Lankan medical world as chief of the Epidemiology Unit. What attracts people to her most is her adorable laugh which she never hesitates to share with others.

Q. Is your family supportive in your professional life?

My daughter is 21 and is studying engineering and my son is doing his G.C.E. Advanced level examination. My husband is an engineer in the private sector. They have all understood the gravity of my job and entertain and tolerate all the telephone calls I receive from various media organisation ungudgingly. In fact, my family has extended its fullest support to me - or I would not be able to maintain these late hours on the field.

Q. What sort of challenges have you faced as a woman in your profession?

My biggest challenge was when the country faced the tsunami in 2004. My boss was out of the country and I was faced with this devastating situation of trying to control an outbreak of diseases among the survivors.

The second situation arose when the internally displaced arrived in government welfare camps in Wanni. The urgent need to prevent an out break of communicable diseases among those congregated in the camp was a big challenge for the whole unit and I was the head of the unit. We were however, able to prevent a catastrophe in the camps by keeping constant vigilance against outbreaks.

The third challenge that I am still facing surrounds building faith in the minds of people where the Rubella vaccine is concerned after the unfortunate deaths of the two school girls who died following the vaccine. There were lots of allegations about the vaccine and most questions were directed to me – starting from the public, parliament, opposition, pediatricians, public health staff and the media. It was all very stressful, yet challenging.

Q. Do you think women need to get more involved to make a difference in the world and that there are only a few of them involved in positions of power?

Yes I do. I believe that women are more genuine than men. So I believe that there’s not women involved in positions of power.

Q. What is special about women engaged in your profession ?

"I have been lucky all along," she laughs. "But my duties entail loads of responsibility because of its gravity. I started as a medical and over the years was promoted to the position I hold today of being a National Epidemologist. I also assists at an international level with my expertise owing to the faith pepole haved placed in my experience and knowledge.

The strong willed women- Nimalka Fernando

Nimalka Fernando, an attorney-at-law by profession, has been fighting for the human rights freedom of many unfortunate people of our country. Her activism is not limited to human rights alone; she is also a leading women’s rights activist in our country.

She is also a member of the Democratic People’s Movement in Sri Lanka, which is a coalition of people’s movements, NGOs and trade unions initiating action and dialogue for alternative development paradigms.

We spoke to Nimalka Fernando about a woman’s role in her respective field and in general about women’s role in our country and around the world.

Q. Can you explain about your profession?

I am a lawyer but have not been involved handling cases since 1983. From time to time, based on the merits of the case, I have been appearing for special cases of women and human rights. I have opted to be involved in advocacy, training and lobbying to develop a rights discourse which is diminishing from the horizon due to political objectives of the regimes in power.

Q. Is your family supportive in your professional life?

During my married days the former husband supported my activities and now my only son has shown understanding and have stood by me right along my career as a feminist and human rights engagement.

Q. What sort of challenges have you faced as a woman in your respective profession?

I have faced obstacles from those who think that women should just preserve the family and have not looked issues related to breakdown of marriage as something that can happen to any man or woman if there is incompatibility. Hence, they have often used my single woman status to disparage and haul ugly slandering related to my engagement in the civil society. They have no other allegations to make and used such personal issues to make me become oblivion from society. Further, there is also a tendency among some men and women who think that how can a woman from the working class be so much in leadership and doing things that they are unable to cope with. I have seen the jealous aspects rasing its ugly head at times when I take leadership and engage in womenrights work as well as broad political engagement. Otherwise the activities I have been engaged in for the last 30 years have been so enriching and fulfilling both giving me local and international experiences.

Q. Do you think women need to get involved to make a difference in the world — in poverty, violence and inequality that afflict the world — if there were more women in parliaments and other national and international bodies?

I do not think we should even ask such a question. But I know why you are raising this as women tend to shy away or ignore some or several issues you have raised. The country belongs to us as well as we have to also be partners in a process or processes that determines the future of Sri Lanka. When we were hitting high on poverty it is women who took the burden to become migrant workers to assist in the families to overcome deprivation. Thousands of young women are shedding their sweat to earn a living for them in factories as well as they are the investment of Sri Lanka. But women in Sri Lanka have not viewed coming into politics and decision making as a profession or as a responsibility. They have also been responsible in nurturing the age old tradition of remaining as backward citizens mostly out of fear that families will break up or fearing societal comments. Only few women have had the courage to develop a new and alternative role model in addressing issues of poverty, violence and the political and ethnic conflict. Look at the debates in the TV. Men are always dominating. When we ask women they often say that they have no subject knowledge. Women must be involved in all walks of life - from politics to town building, development, peace building and rehabilitation.

Q. Do you think there are and there have been so few women in positions of power?

There have been few women in positions of power. But this is also not a number game we are talking about. Women who come into powerful positions have also at times behaved like men. As a feminist and women’s rights advocate I stand for the creation of humane values and cooperation rather than competitiveness. The few women who have come into high positions have had to fight through their way. Hence they have had to also secure these places for themselves.

Q. What is special about women engaged in your profession?

Of course due to free education and the fact that Sri Lankan society accepts the fact that women should be educated, lots of women are lawyers. But the issue is they are all engaged in the acceptable employment sectors, while few women lawyers are engaged in civil society activism of social justice, human rights and feminist struggle.

Tough player- Vajira Premaratne

She is one of the leading tennis players in the country. She is a Federal cup winner and has represented Sri Lanka at many different tennis tournaments. Vajira Premaratne began her career as a tennis player at the age of 16.

This energetic player, being a woman, reached her success story with very little encouragement because she is a woman. We spoke to the Lankan star to know her views about the current role of a women in Sri Lanka and around the world.

Q. Can you explain about your profession?

I am presently coaching tennis players. But, previously I was a tennis player. I represented the country at many different tournaments.

Q. Is your family supportive in your professional life?

Of course my family is very supportive. They have been the strength behind my success. It is mainly because of them that I was able to achieve my dreams and aspirations of becoming one of the leading tennis players in the country.

Q. What sort of challenges have you faced as a woman in your respective profession?

Being a woman and engaging in sports is very difficult since the field is mainly dominated by men. It is very difficult for women to get a breakthrough. You need to be tough and fight to win your goals.

For struggling to become tennis player was tough. Apart from my family and few well wishers, I did not get any support from outsiders. It was a lonely battle that I won. It’s not nice for a player to face such challenges specially being a woman.

Q. Do you think women need to get involved to make a difference in the world — in poverty, violence and inequality that afflict the world — if there were more women in parliaments and other national and international bodies?

Definitely women need to play a more active role in social issues and politics. I believe we need many more women in authoritative roles. We mainly see a male - dominated world in many professions which should be changed.

If there are women involved in such professions, I believe there will be a better balance. I think women are mentally stronger than men in handling tough situations.

Q. Do you think there are and there have been so few women in positions of power?

Yes, there are few women who are holding key positions of power. In Sri Lanka, we see a woman playing the traditional role of a mother, a home maker. They are not seen further away from this frame. It is mainly the mindset of the people; however, we are seeing a change in behavior in recent times, especially in the suburban areas.

Q. What is special about women engaged in your profession?

In the world arena, women have reached the peak just like the men. In Sri Lanka, we have quite a number of female tennis players. However, they should be given equal opportunities like the men.

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Songbird – Umara Sinhawansa

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Her songs have touched the hearts of many Sri Lankans. Umara Sinhawansa, the young, dynamic songbird spoke to ‘The Island’ about her view on the role of a woman in the modern day and age.

Q: Can you explain about your profession and a little bit about what you do?

I am an Artist / Audio Engineer, currently attached to the BNS project (Bathiya and Santhush). I sing and perform along side them and my sister, Umaria. Apart from that, what goes behind the stage performances and music videos, I produce and arrange my own music tracks and a few for Ashanthi and Umaria. I’m currently working on my album which is due in May.

Q: Is your family supportive in your professional life?

Yes of course they are. They, in fact, help make decisions in absolutely everything I do, be it a performance, a song or even an interview. They have been very helpful to me in my career.

Q: What sort of challenges have you faced as a woman in your Profession?

It’s a challenge most of the time. People consider Audio Engineers to be males by default but there is no such thing. Anyone can be whatever they strive to be if they have the right direction and aspiration. I have faced so many obstacles as a woman in the field of music and entertainment. While performing on stage, alone as a solo artist and even when I create or produce music. The mentality of the community is that women need to Cook, clean and be behind four walls. I’m a good example of quite the opposite of that.

Q: Do you think women need to get involved to make a difference in the world against poverty, violence and inequality? Should there be more women in Parliaments and International bodies?

Yes they need to, but if women are disinclined and reluctant to enter the arena to change and to make things better for themselves it’s quite difficult. We, as women, have equal rights and we need to exercise that to create a better society and to develop a country .Imagine all of the women in the corporate world contributing to the economy in their own way? That would be the ideal situation. It is a must that women run for top positions in the country and to represent the country through international bodies.

Q: Do you think there are and there have been very few women in positions of power?

Women have had positions of power, but we have seen only a few. It would be nice to see more in the future.

Q: What is special about women engaged in your profession?

Women involved in the Entertainment business are courageous - they stand up for themselves and freely express their opinion and influence so many others to be like them. It’s not easy to be in this industry and to survive with so many challenges.

Women need to focus on achieving their goals and making their dreams come true.