» Safety is the first step. Economic empowerment is what helps make recovery sustainable.

Jul

Safety is the first step. Economic empowerment is what helps make recovery sustainable.

At the knowledge-sharing session on the Post-Shelter Economic Empowerment Initiative, held on 2 July 2026 at the UN Compound, ISB and its partner CSOs shared the impact of an initiative implemented from June 2024 to June 2026 under the project Enabling Access to Justice for Victim Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Sri Lanka, implemented by UNDP together with UNFPA with the support of the Government of Canada.

The results speak for themselves. The final evaluation found that 56 of the 79 survivors interviewed are successfully running their own livelihood activities. Along with increased income, survivors reported greater financial independence, confidence, and social acceptance.

The initiative demonstrates that when livelihood support is combined with capacity building and continued guidance, survivors can rebuild their lives and reduce their vulnerability to re-victimization. Every survivor deserves the opportunity to rebuild a life with dignity, independence, and hope.