The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka and the University of Colombo embarked on a historic collaboration to establish the first-of-its-kind Center of Excellence (CoE) for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) in the Asia Pacific region. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 1, 2024, at the University’s College House, marked a significant milestone in their joint effort to champion gender equality and sustainable development.
The MoU formalizes a long-standing partnership between UNFPA Sri Lanka and the University, solidifying their commitment to knowledge creation, innovation, and thought leadership in Sri Lanka. The signing ceremony, led by University Vice Chancellor Senior Professor H. D. Karunaratne and UNFPA Sri Lanka Representative Kunle Adeniyi, witnessed the participation of prominent figures. These included UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Pio Smith, alongside Deans from the University’s Faculty of Medicine (Professor Vajira Dissanayake), Faculty of Arts (Professor L. Manawadu), and Faculty of Law (Dr. Sampath Punchihewa). Professor Subanghi Herath (Sociology Department) and Dr. Kumudika Boyagoda (Head, Department of Demography) were also present, along with other key stakeholders from both institutions.
This momentous occasion served two key purposes. Firstly, it formalized the establishment and operationalization of the CoE through the MoU. Secondly, it served as a powerful symbol of the enduring partnership between the University and UNFPA in areas like data generation, population dynamics, and evidence-based policy formulation.
“This collaboration between UNFPA Sri Lanka and the University of Colombo reaffirms our unwavering dedication to achieving gender equality and sustainable development,” said Pio Smith, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. He emphasized the significance of this long-standing partnership, highlighting its role in advancing the understanding of population issues and marking a crucial step towards positive change.
The CoE is envisioned as a central hub for research, capacity building, service delivery, and fieldwork in areas critical to gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, and population dynamics. By leveraging the expertise of University faculty and researchers, the CoE aims to address socio-economic challenges and contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based policies and reforms.
The CoE aligns strategically with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and will play a vital role in advancing UNFPA’s transformative agenda. It will contribute to building research capacity, fostering policy dialogue, and expanding regional networks to address critical issues in gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, and population dynamics.
The establishment of the CoE signifies a shared commitment between UNFPA and the University of Colombo to propel knowledge advancement, promote gender equality, and ultimately, improve the health and well-being of communities across Sri Lanka and the wider Asia Pacific region. This groundbreaking initiative serves as a beacon of hope, promising a future where gender equality flourishes.
