On November 6, 2024, Catholic Care for Children Sri Lanka (CCCSL) hosted a vibrant and meaningful celebration in honor of International Girl Child Day at Mandarina Colombo 3. The event gathered a wide range of stakeholders, including religious sisters, government officials, probation officers, NGO representatives, and managers of children’s care institutions (CCIs). The shared goal was clear: empowering girls and promoting family-based care as an alternative to institutionalization.
The celebration began with a religious observance, setting a reflective and heartfelt tone for the day. Following this, participants were warmly welcomed and reminded of CCCSL’s unwavering commitment to advocating for every child’s right to a safe, loving family environment.
One of the highlights of the event was an art exhibition featuring children’s works on themes such as “The Hope of the Girl Child” and “their view on Living in a Family.” These creative and expressive pieces inspired reflection among attendees, conveying the children’s concerns and messages about their experiences and aspirations. The creativity and emotional depth of the artwork were widely praised.
The keynote address emphasized the empowerment of girls and the urgent need to prevent institutionalization. It underscored the importance of ensuring that every child, particularly girls, grows up in a supportive family setting. This address served as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility to safeguard children’s rights and provide the care they need to thrive.
A special segment of the program invited girls from CCIs to share their dreams and aspirations. Their heartfelt speeches offered deeply personal insights into their experiences in care and their hopes for the future. These young voices added a poignant, human touch to the event, reinforcing the importance of family care over institutional care.
Participants then engaged in an interactive activity titled: “My Commitment Towards the Girl Child.”
During this segment, they pledged their support for improving the lives of girls.
Each pledge was symbolized by the distribution of flowers, which the girls were encouraged to keep as a reminder of their role in the movement to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to thrive in a loving family environment.
After a tea break, the program transitioned to its second phase, focusing on reintegration efforts. Key partners—including CCCSL, World Vision Lanka, World Without Orphans, SERI, LEADS, Sarvodaya, SOS Children’s Villages, Alliance Development Trust, and others—shared their progress using the Development Café tool. This innovative approach fostered open discussions about the challenges and gaps in reintegration efforts and institutionalization prevention. CCCSL also shared its insights, encouraging collaboration and strategic planning.
The session highlighted potential solutions and strategies to strengthen the child welfare system, particularly in creating sustainable alternatives to institutional care. This was followed by an open discussion, where participants brainstormed ways to work together more effectively to support girls and their reintegration into family-based environments.
The event concluded with an address by the National Commissioner of Probation, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote family-based care and reintegration. She emphasized the importance of collaboration among government bodies, religious communities, and NGOs in achieving these critical goals.
The celebration served as a powerful reminder of the need for family-based care and the importance of empowering girls to shape their futures. Through discussions, presentations, and personal stories, the event reinforced the idea that every girl deserves to grow up in a nurturing and supportive family environment.
As the event came to a close, participants left with a renewed sense of commitment and solidarity, inspired to work together to create a world where no child—especially no girl—is left behind.
