The Nation Forum of Women with Disabilities, established in 2023 to advocate for the rights, dignity, and inclusion of women with disabilities, proudly opened its Day Care Center for Independent Living on 20th November 2025 at Ratmalana. This center marks a significant achievement in our mission to strengthen independent living and support the wellbeing of women with disabilities and their families.

Supported through The Asia Foundation’s “Addressing Unpaid Care Work in Sri Lanka” Project, funded by the Government of Canada through the High Commission of Canada, this initiative addresses the critical need to recognize, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care work—especially the care responsibilities carried by women.

The Day Care Center serves two key objectives:

To provide women with disabilities (aged 18–50) with mentoring, training, and opportunities that enhance their independence, confidence, and participation in society.

To support family caregivers—often female relatives—by reducing their daily care burden and enabling them to engage in economic, social, and personal activities.

The center offers a safe, inclusive, and dignified space for daytime care, fostering social inclusion, community wellbeing, and equal opportunities for all.

The opening ceremony was attended by respected representatives from government institutions, international organizations, development partners, diplomatic missions, and civil society. Their presence reaffirmed the collective commitment to advancing disability rights, gender equality, and meaningful inclusion in Sri Lanka.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to The Asia Foundation and the High Commission of Canada for their continued support, and to all partners and well-wishers who made this vision possible.

Together, we move forward to build a society where every woman with a disability can live with independence, pride, and opportunity.