Women's Chamber of Commerce says war affected women are in urgent need of training

Chairperson of WCCI Vidyani Hettigoda told BBC Sandeshaya that the Chamber is currently involved in war widows and other women in the north east for smaller self employment projects.

“The most important thing is training. We are working onto provide training in IT, hair dressing, driving and many other fields,” she said.

There are no official estimates but it is thought at least 100,000 war widows are in the war-ravaged north and the east.

Language barrier

Finding the whereabouts of their “missing” loved ones and providing child care in the absence of the husband or brother are among their immediate concerns but Ms Hettigoda says “it will take time” to heal wounds of war.

We can’t do everything at once, first we need to educate these people to encourage them face new challenges   Vidyani Hettigoda

“We can’t do everything at once, first we need to educate these people to encourage them face new challenges,” she said.

Lack of English language knowledge is another barrier for these women to rebuild their lives, according to the WCIC chairperson.

“These women will also need English language training to take part in the hotel and other industries,” she said.

At a meeting organised by Responsible Business Forum (RBF) in London, Ms Hettigoda stressed that the war affected women including widows do not need money but guidance and assistance to rebuild their lives is the need of the moment.