STHREE - A WOMEN’S INITIATIVE

“Sthree” means “women in both Tamil and Sinhala. The merchandise displayed at Sthree comes from all over Sri Lanka. There are brightly colored handloom sarees from Batticaloa and Kalmunai and handloom home décor items from Welimada, stunning silver jewelry from Galle, tasty chutneys and jams from Kurunegala, traditional watti trays and rice containers from Mahiyangana and recycled paper products from Hanguranketha.

The products from local Kandy-area entrepreneurs make up about half of the merchandise. There are eco-friendly purses and handbags from Ampitiya, stylish batik wraparound skirts and home décor items, striking collage artwork, fashionable silk scarf’s and shawls created by a talented woman in Kandy. There is also beautiful wood furniture handcrafted by people with disabilities at WDC’s Vocational Training Centre in Ampitiya.

Sthree is operated as a not-for-profit organization. Sthree takes only a small percent of the sales price on sold merchandise to contribute towards the operating costs of the shop. Sthree’s goal is that it will eventually become self-sustainable. 

 
The Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Industries and Women’s Affairs, Mrs. Shirani Weeracone was the guest of honor at the opening ceremony and cut the purple opening ribbon—the color for International Women’s Day. She also led in lighting the ceremonial lamp and, in her speech, she reinforced the importance of the government and non-government organizations to work together to effectively support local women entrepreneurs. WDC’s goal of economic empowerment of women resulted in the Women’s Entrepreneurship Program, offering livelihood and entrepreneurship training along with access to small loans.

WDC also runs a Vocational Training Center in Ampitiya in partnership with Central Province Ministry of Social Services for youth with disabilities. Sewing, needlework, candle-making and woodwork are taught for up to two years, depending on the clients’ needs. These hand-crafted products are also displayed for sale at Sthree.