Dossier: Women & Gendered Violence in Post-War Sri Lanka

This dossier, named 'magalir-avai' (women's forum), centralizes critical evidence concerning the experiences of Tamil women and girls during and after the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. It compiles reports from UN bodies, international human rights organizations, and local advocacy groups, detailing a spectrum of gender-based harms. ### Thematic Focus The dossier highlights systematic conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), forced disappearances, and the profound impact of sustained militarization on Tamil communities in the North-East. It also documents the resilient, women-led protest movements demanding accountability and answers for profound injustices. ### Established Facts The strongest citations (Tier A and B) unequivocally establish that CRSV against Tamil women and girls was a widespread phenomenon during and after the conflict, largely unaddressed by the state. The OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) [A] and the Secretary-General's Panel of Experts [A] provide foundational accounts of these atrocities, corroborated by extensive survivor testimony collected by organizations like ITJP [B]. Furthermore, the ongoing militarization of Tamil areas directly impacts women's livelihoods and safety, as detailed by Adayaalam Centre [B] and Human Rights Watch [B]. The sustained protests by families of the disappeared, predominantly led by women, underscore the state's failure to provide truth or justice for thousands of cases [B]. ### Implications This body of evidence underscores the imperative for international accountability mechanisms and comprehensive reparations for survivors. It points to a systemic failure of justice that continues to perpetuate trauma and insecurity for Tamil women, highlighting the critical role of women-led resistance in the pursuit of human rights.

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