“I Will Not Be Silent”

For generations, society has instilled in women and girls the belief that women should be silent, bear their burdens, tell no one, and keep it in the family. It has become part of what it means to be a woman, an accepted norm. Many see it as their duty, for the sake of family and children, to keep silent. But 45-year-old Saraswathy disagrees.

Saraswathy's story begins like many others in Northern Sri Lanka. She lost any opportunity to access formal education due to the war and had to move from one camp to another as a displaced person. At just 16, she married, hoping to build a stable life, only to discover that her husband struggled with alcoholism. With few options, she endured in silence, focusing on raising her two children and ensuring they had a better future than her own.

Her house is in Mudkompan, a remote village in the Pooneryn Division of Kilinochchi District. The scars of the civil war still linger. Poverty, poor infrastructure, and the absence of basic services are part of daily life. The bus that connects her village to the town often doesn't come. There are no streetlights or public transport. Saraswathy relies on helpful commuters to reach her destination.

"There is no police station nearby, and drugs have entered our village. This is rampant among our youth, which is a new burden women and mothers must handle," she explains.

Women in the area face multiple pressures, including economic hardship, addiction-related violence, and safety concerns. Years of violence destroyed this farming community's infrastructure and economy. COVID-19 and Sri Lanka's recent economic crisis made things worse. With limited opportunities, addiction has become widespread among men and youth. While alcohol abuse has long been used to justify domestic violence, drug use among young people is now rising at an alarming rate, and women bear the consequences.

Saraswathy understands these struggles deeply. She knows how society pressures women to stay silent about abuse, to put family reputation first, to endure rather than speak out.

In 2016, everything began to change. Her longing to fill the loss of formal education finally found an outlet. Saraswathy joined VILUTHU's training programmes and study circles, spaces where women could learn, share experiences, and support one another. These gatherings became her classroom and community. She learned about gender-based violence, women's rights, and the services available to survivors. What started as personal growth soon became a mission to help others.

Through various programs and exposure visits facilitated by VILUTHU, she gained confidence and soon earned the respect of her community as someone who helped women. Government officials and even the police recognize her as someone who has standing in the community - a woman who stands for rights, democracy, and good governance.

In 2018, Saraswathy was nominated to contest in the Local Government Elections. Although her party did not win enough seats for her to assume office, she remained undeterred. She continues to mobilise community groups to address local issues, such as closing bars, running awareness campaigns against alcohol abuse, promoting access to support services, and teaching women how to seek legal assistance.

She also supports women experiencing domestic violence and helps them pursue solutions, including permanent separation when necessary. So far, Saraswathy has helped 25 women in her village through court cases and guided them in overcoming personal struggles. Ten families have reconciled, and several men have thanked her for helping them become better husbands and fathers. Her dedication in helping other women inspired her husband to change, too, and he began supporting her work.

Today, Saraswathy has become a role model and a changemaker. She knows that knowledge and access to opportunity can empower a woman to rise to any occasion, and she lives that truth every day. She still dreams of the day when women can go anywhere, anytime, and be safe. Until then, she keeps speaking up, keeps showing up, and keeps helping other women find their voices. Because she knows from experience: freedom begins the moment you refuse to stay silent.