IN CONVERSATION WITH THE SAARC WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION SRI LANKA

The SAARC Women's Association - Sri Lanka Chapter has been a beacon of cultural harmony, service, and solidarity since its inception in 1996.

- Umasha Caldera

With members representing Afghanistan, Bangladesh, | Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the Association continues to bridge borders through friendship | and shared purpose. Over the years, its tireless efforts have uplifted countless lives from empowering children and women in need to supporting senior citizens, hospitals, and patients battling lifethreatening illnesses.

This year, the Association presents Cinematic SAARC a cultural celebration with a profound cause: raising funds to provide molecular diagnostic testing kits for cancer patients at the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama. To understand the vision, challenges, and spirit driving this initiative, we sat down with three inspiring women at the helm Farida Alibhoy (President), Nimmi Thambiayah (SAARC Country Joint Coordinator), and Mala Kumar (Project Coordinator) who shared their insights on leadership, service, and the enduring mission of SAARC Women's Association.

NIMMI THAMBIAYAH

Q As the joint coordinator, how do you see the Sri Lanka Chapter's role in fostering stronger ties among the SAARC women's associations across the region?

As the only women's association in Sri Lanka that has members from all eight sub-countries, we are privileged to have firsthand interaction with these members.

We share in celebrating national days and festivals. We get to taste their food, learn their traditions and customs. We meet once a month and have a theme that everyone follows. That way, we learn a lot from each other.

Q What challenges do you face in coordinating activities across different cultures, and how do you overcome them?