The Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programme of the Women’s Development Centre (WDC) was established in 1991, following field research that revealed the multiple barriers faced by children with disabilities and the disproportionate burden placed on their mothers as primary caregivers. What began as a community response to unmet needs has, over more than 25 years, grown into a core pillar of WDC’s work—championing disability inclusion and the right of every individual to live with dignity and independence.

Rooted in a rights-based and intersectional approach, the CBR programme recognizes that disability, ageing, and caregiving responsibilities often intersect with gender inequality. Women are most frequently expected to provide care, limiting their access to education, income, and public life. WDC addresses these realities by working simultaneously with persons with disabilities, their families, and the broader systems that shape inclusion.

Over the years, the CBR programme has introduced a range of targeted initiatives to respond to evolving needs:

• Inclusive Education:
  In 1999, WDC initiated special education units within mainstream schools. This led to the establishment of the Sahana Model Special Education School and Hostel in 2001, providing inclusive learning environments for children with disabilities. 

• Vocational Training and Economic Inclusion:
  Through the Sthree Social Enterprise, WDC supports vocational training and life-skills development for persons with disabilities and their caregivers. The programme facilitates access to NVQ qualifications, creates market linkages for disabled artisans, and promotes sustainable livelihoods.

• Accessibility and Community Infrastructure:
  In 1993, WDC established three CBR centres to bring services closer to women and families in rural communities. In 2011, with support from Sightsavers International, a Braille Library Unit was opened at the Kandy Public Library, significantly improving access to information for persons with visual impairments.

• A major milestone was reached in 2013, when WDC implemented a sustainability strategy that transferred the ownership and management of CBR centres directly to community groups—strengthening local leadership and long-term accountability.

Future Direction

In the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, CBR functions are integrated within WDC’s Social Justice and Economic Justice pillars. This expanded approach moves beyond service provision to focus on systemic change through:

• Advocacy: Influencing national policies, legislation, and government practices to advance disability rights and inclusion.

• Technology and Innovation: Exploring assistive technologies, including sign-language applications and smartphone-based tools, to enhance communication and independence.

• Environmental and Disaster Resilience: Building the capacity of persons with disabilities and their families to prepare for and respond to disasters and climate-related risks.

Through the CBR programme, WDC continues to work towards a future where persons with disabilities are not passive recipients of care, but active rights-holders, leaders, and contributors to society.

Of the seventeen SDGS, goal number five is focused on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. On a global scale, women continue to face a lack of equal opportunities in various aspects of society. This is a frequently observed phenomenon in the employment sector in which wage disparities based on gender continued to exist. Furthermore, while working to guarantee the existence of equal opportunities for both males and females is a key component of goal number five, so is eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls. This is inclusive of intimate partner and/or domestic violence, sexual violence and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. Many of the issues being addressed under this goal are applicable to the Sri Lankan context and in particular to the work being carried out by WDC.

Although women in Sri Lanka account for more than half the population (51.8%), they only account for 35.1% of the economically active labour force while men continue to make up the majority, accounting for 64.9% of the economically active labour force. The UNDP has ranked Sri Lanka as 75^th under the Gender Inequality Index (GII), which measures inequality between men and women within three particular areas: reproductive health, empowerment (education & political participation) and labour market participation. While women do play a significant role in the plantation sector, textile industry and migrant labour force, they simultaneously continue to face high levels of gender based violence (GBV) and/or various forms of Violence Against Women (VAW).

The work being carried out by WDC aligns with the issues being focused on under goal number five and the country’s National Action Plan as it is continuously looking for ways to integrate women into the employment sector but simultaneously recognizes the triple burden facing women who often have to balance multiple roles within the public, private and household arenas. Thus, it constantly attempts to work from holistic perspective where the training and empowerment process is often inclusive of family members. This allows the woman to be supported by the very same community that she is constantly working to support and ensures a balance in roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, as WDC works with its partners to integrate women into non-traditional employment sectors, such as hospitality and tourism, it strives to ensure that the safety and security of female employees is upheld. In doing so, it hopes to secure employment for women in one of the fastest growing industries in Sri Lanka while simultaneously challenging cultural stigmas associated with women working in the particular sector.

 “Rape is something you’ll never forget. It’s a severe trauma, but still, I firmly believe that no matter what the crisis, however severe, it is possible to come back to normalcy, given the right environment. That’s what we are trying to do.” –  Pearl Stephen, WDC founder

Counselling efforts often take a holistic approach as we realize that many of the mental struggles facing individuals and families are also connected issues of housing, education and unemployment. In order to assist our clients in overcoming the adversities that they face, various forms of counselling services are available at the WDC. Our centre provides:

• Family counselling
• Marital counselling
• Grief counselling
• Support for psychological and psychotic issues

WDC’s counselling services works to encourage communication between family members and brings them together to work through issues they may be facing in their relationships. Counsellors work with clients to help identify specific problems they may be facing. Some of the problems which have been identified include, distrust, extramarital affairs, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence and financial complications. Such problems often result in issues such as anxiety, stress, eating and sleeping disorders and reduced concentration. The intervention of counselling services in these situations works to produce changes in thought and behaviour, build communication and listening skills and find alternative opportunities.

At our main Counselling Centre in Kandy, there are, on average 160 cases per year. However, there is a very high rate for repeat counselling and there it is estimated that 300 counselling sessions per year take place. Many family cases are referred through other NGO’s such as SUMITHRAYO.

If you are also suffering from depression, stress or any issue that you cannot share with anyone else, do not hesitate to contact our counselling team. They are ready to support you and they will guarantee privacy and confidentiality.