The Sri Lanka Girl Guides' Association (SLGGA) has embarked on a project to empower Sri Lankan women affected by the war. The Project, titled "WAWE" (War Affected Women Empowered) was launched at the Girl Guide Headquarters, Colombo on April 6.

SLGGA boasts of over 30,000 serving members in all 9 provinces of the nation. It is the largest voluntary organization for girls and young women, which, brings together a truly diverse membership from all walks of life; irrespective of race or religion. The Girl Guides Programme is recognized by the Ministry of Education and is included in the learning curriculum of schools.

The Girl Guides Programme has a broad twofold focus: first, the progressive life development of girls and young women from a tender age (Little Friends-7 to 12 yrs; Guides -12 to 17 yrs; Senior Guides -18 to 23 yrs and Differently-abled category) through a non-formal, fun and adventure-oriented educational programme; and second, to encourage them to reach out to society through programmes of community service. Hence the Girl Guides' programme of development is a wholesome approach of enabling girls and young women to realise their full potential.

In addition to positively impacting the lives of girls and women the Girl Guides have served our nation for over 94 yrs through numerous projects of, community development, water and sanitation, primary health care, the girl child, prevention of drug abuse, adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, environmental awareness, the differently-abled, the tsunami affected, the aged, prison inmates, and the IDPs.

The project catering to war affected women, aims at skills development of this category of women, thereby empowering them to take on the challenges of leading and developing their families.
The project will unite and touch the lives of three segments of women affected by the war; wives of disabled soldiers, young girls and women forced into combat and other women distressed as a result of the war.

Owing to the fact that wives of disabled soldiers are already organized as a group, Phase One of Project WAWE will focus on empowering this group. A need analysis for livelihood development of this group has identified their areas of interest as being, home gardening, dress making and handicraft. Hence vocational training in these areas will be worked out in three training centres in Homagama, Anuradhapura and Matara. Girl Guides groups in these areas will provide resource persons. The training schedule is to commence in May with intensive, full day training run once a week for durations of four to six months.

Identification, grouping as well as a need analysis of the next two segments (young girls and women forced into combat and other women distressed as a result of the war) is under way. Simultaneously work of project programmes for all groups is planned. Help extended by SLGGA to support and integrate young women forced into combat with society has already gained international recognition, as the first project of its kind in the world.

Thus Girl Guides of Sri Lanka once again take global leadership, as a non-governmental organisation based on volunteerism, working with the firm resolve of supporting girls and women to face challenges of life with confidence and strength.