Reports on Empowering Women Self-help Groups at village level

Project Report | Oct 18, 2026
Project Progress Report [June October]

By M. Shifan Mohamed | Executive Director

Introduction

From June to October 2026, the Family Wellbeing Centre (FWC) continued its commitment to empowering women at the village level through community participation, self-help initiatives, and Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC). The project aims to strengthen women's confidence, leadership, social connections, and collective capacity to improve family and community wellbeing.

Women's self-help groups provide opportunities for women to share experiences, identify common challenges, build mutual support, and explore practical solutions to issues affecting their families and communities.

Community Engagement

During the reporting period, FWC's community-based approach focused on the importance of women's participation in local development and collective action. The organisation continued promoting the value of self-help groups as platforms for knowledge sharing, peer learning, and community empowerment.

The project prioritises women's wellbeing, positive family relationships, gender equality, violence prevention, and access to reliable information. Through group-based learning and community engagement, women can strengthen their communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership skills.

FWC also recognises the importance of connecting women's groups with relevant community services and development opportunities to help them address shared concerns and improve their participation in village-level initiatives.

Challenges and Future Priorities

Sustaining women's participation, mobilising resources, strengthening local partnerships, and ensuring continued group engagement remain important priorities. Future efforts will focus on strengthening group leadership, improving programme monitoring, and identifying opportunities for sustainable community-led initiatives.

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Jun 6, 2026
Progress Report (February - May 2026)

By M. Shifan Mohamed | Executive Director

Introduction

Family Wellbeing Centre continued implementing the project “Empowering Women Self-Help Groups at Village Level” from February to May 2026 with the objective of strengthening women’s wellbeing, leadership, and socio-economic resilience through a Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) approach. The project focuses on addressing barriers faced by women, particularly women-headed households, by strengthening self-care groups, enhancing community support systems, and promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities.

During the reporting period, the project reached women and families across selected communities in Mannar, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts through awareness sessions, community mobilization activities, psychosocial support initiatives, capacity-building programmes, and group strengthening interventions.

Key Achievemens

1. Addressing Women’s Socio-Economic Barriers

an interactive awareness sessions were conducted with 25 Self Help Groups in Anuradhapura District, 25 self-care groups in Trincomalee District, 25 self-care groups in Polonnaruwa District. A total of 434 women participated in discussions focused on identifying socio-economic barriers affecting women and exploring solutions through the SBC approach. Participants reflected on issues related to decision-making, gender norms, economic participation, and community engagement. The sessions enhanced women’s confidence, strengthened collective action, and encouraged greater participation in household and community-level decision-making processes.

2. Strengthening Women’s Self-Care Groups

Throughout the reporting period, Family Wellbeing Centre continued supporting women’s self-care groups as safe spaces for peer learning, mutual support, and community leadership. Discussions conducted in villages highlighted key challenges affecting women, including intimate partner violence, normalization of alcohol privilege, unpaid care responsibilities, and limited access to health services.

Through participatory dialogue and reflection exercises, women identified practical actions to address these challenges while strengthening social support networks. These engagements contributed to increased awareness of women’s rights, wellbeing, and opportunities for collective community action.

The project currently supports a growing network of women’s self-care groups that serve as platforms for promoting positive behaviour change and social cohesion.

3. Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence

A significant focus during the reporting period was the prevention of intimate partner violence (IPV). Awareness sessions were conducted in Kahatagasdigiliya and Harawapothana Divisional Secretariat areas in collaboration with local partners.

Women learned to identify different forms of IPV, understand underlying causes such as harmful gender norms and inequalities, and practice positive relationship behaviours including mutual respect, shared decision-making, and non-violent communication. Participants were encouraged to become advocates for peaceful family relationships and violence prevention within their communities.

4. Community Mobilization

The project further promoted violence-free families and communities through awareness campaigns emphasizing respectful relationships, conflict resolution, and healthy communication. Community discussions under the Happy Family Initiative highlighted the relationship between alcohol use and family violence while encouraging positive social norms and alcohol-free environments.

A community dialogue conducted in 10 villages on successfully engaged community members in discussions on family wellbeing, violence prevention, and collective responsibility for creating safer communities.

5. Capacity Building and Health Promotion

The project also contributed to broader community wellbeing through an online awareness programme on Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) prevention and control conducted. Participants gained practical knowledge on NCD risk factors, prevention strategies, and community mobilization approaches that contribute to healthier lifestyles and improved family wellbeing.

6. Stationery pack provided

25 Women’s Self-Care Groups received a stationery pack to strengthen group documentation, record keeping, and communication systems. This support contributes to improved organizational capacity and sustainability of group activities.

Conclusion

During February–May 2026, the project successfully strengthened women’s self-help groups, promoted violence prevention, enhanced psychosocial wellbeing, and supported community mobilization efforts. Women demonstrated increased confidence, leadership, and engagement in addressing challenges affecting their families and communities.

Family Wellbeing Centre remains committed to empowering women through self-care groups, entrepreneurship support, capacity building, and social and behaviour change interventions that contribute to healthier families, stronger communities, and sustainable socio-economic wellbeing.

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Feb 6, 2026
Women Empowerment

By Mohammedu Shifan Mohamed | Executive Director

women group

An interactive awareness session on Addressing Women’s Socio-Economic Barriers through a Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Approach was successfully conducted on 30th January 2026 in the Anuradhapura District, targeting two selected community groups: Kukulawa Self Help Group and Pipena Kusum Self Help Group in Kahatagasdigiliya. The session was designed to empower women by addressing underlying social norms and behavioural barriers that limit their socio-economic participation and wellbeing.

A total of 34 women participants actively engaged in the workshop. The sessions were highly participatory, using group discussions, reflection exercises, and practical examples to encourage open dialogue and shared learning. Key focus areas included building self-confidence, improving decision-making skills, understanding restrictive social and gender norms, and recognizing the importance of collective action at family and community levels.

Through the SBC approach, participants were guided to reflect on everyday challenges affecting their economic activities, household decision-making, and social participation. The sessions emphasized positive behaviour change, mutual support, and the role of women’s groups in promoting resilience and wellbeing. Participants demonstrated strong engagement, openly sharing experiences and supporting one another’s perspectives.

The awareness session contributed to increased understanding of women’s rights, enhanced confidence to voice opinions, and strengthened group cohesion. Overall, the activity successfully supported women to identify pathways for positive change and reinforced the importance of collective efforts in overcoming socio-economic barriers. The outcomes highlight the value of SBC-based interventions in fostering sustainable empowerment at both household and community levels.