Existing projects

1.  Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) – RED Sri Lanka

The project, funded under the Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) initiative, aimed to empower vulnerable +-groups, particularly women workers in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones (FTZs), including widows and single mothers. Implemented by us (RED), the project focused on organizational development, advocacy, and direct support to address gender-based violence (GBV), workplace rights, and economic challenges.

Through this project, RED significantly advanced gender equality and workers’ rights in Sri Lanka’s FTZs. By combining advocacy, education, and direct support, the organization empowered its constituents to stand against GBV and economic exploitation, creating a foundation for sustained change. The project’s success highlights the importance of holistic, community-driven approaches in addressing systemic inequalities. Future efforts will focus on expanding these initiatives and mitigating external economic threats to ensure long-term impact.

We the revolutionary existence for Human Development RED faced challenges such as worker apathy and external economic pressures, including U.S. tariff hikes affecting Sri Lanka’s apparel industry. To overcome these, the organization adopted localized trust-building workshops, media engagement, and partnerships with international labor rights groups.

To serve target Audience  it was designed some activities which best fit for our as well as target audiences 

1. Stakeholder Engagement: RED successfully organized a stakeholder meeting on June 22, 2025, bringing together local police, health officials, community leaders, and worker representatives to collaboratively address sexual harassment in FTZs. This inclusive dialogue fostered practical solutions and strengthened community trust.
2. Workshops and Training: A one-day workshop in Vavuniya on May 18, 2025, educated women on reproductive health, maternity rights, and workplace safety. A parallel psychosocial workshop in Katunayake provided mental health support, equipping participants with coping mechanisms for workplace stress and economic hardships.
3. Advocacy and Policy Influence: RED drafted a gender policy and collected 1,000 signatures from FTZ workers demanding daycare centers, which will be submitted to the Prime Minister. The organization also participated in national advocacy events, amplifying the voices of marginalized workers and linking gender equality to broader social justice movements.
4. Legal and Psychosocial Support: The project provided critical legal aid and counseling to victims of GBV and workplace harassment, ensuring their rights were upheld and their well-being prioritized.

Impact on Target Audience:

• Empowerment: Women workers gained knowledge about their rights, enabling them to challenge workplace injustices and advocate for better conditions.
• Support Systems: Psychosocial workshops and legal aid provided immediate relief and long-term resilience for vulnerable individuals.
• Community Mobilization: Collaborative efforts with stakeholders and allies fostered safer environments and systemic change, reducing incidents of harassment and discrimination.

This is a six-month piolet project and will end 30^th June 2025

Project  2  Strengthening Feminist Movements (SFM) Grant Renewal 2024-25

The Strengthening Feminist Movements (SFM) Grant Renewal 2024-25, administered by Women’s Fund Asia (WFA), The grant provides flexible funding to organizations and individuals working on women’s, girls’, trans, and intersex rights, prioritizing self-led groups embedded within the communities they serve. The project emphasizes core support for operational costs, capacity building, and advocacy, rather than restricting funds to specific projects.

The SFM 2024-25 02 years project for RED exemplifies a holistic approach to feminist movement-building, integrating environmental justice, labor rights, and community empowerment. By addressing systemic issues like water contamination while strengthening grassroots leadership, the project aligns with WFA’s mission to create enduring social change. The anticipated outcomes—healthier communities, empowered women, and stronger advocacy networks—will contribute significantly to gender equality and human rights in Sri Lanka.

Our Target Audience

The primary beneficiaries of this project include:

• Women and Girls: Especially those in marginalized communities such as Free Trade Zone (FTZ) workers, widows, single mothers, and internal migrant women.

• FTZ Workers in Sri Lanka: Addressing their labor rights and access to clean drinking water.
• Rural and Peri-Urban Communities: In areas like Awariyawattha and Jayawardanapura, where water contamination is a critical issue.

 We are working for

•  Reduced waterborne diseases through access to clean water and community-led maintenance of filtration systems.
• Enhanced leadership and organizational skills among women and FTZ workers, enabling them to advocate for their rights collectively.
• Evidence-based advocacy leveraging water quality data to push for stricter industrial waste regulations and corporate accountability.

• Strengthened RED membership and collaborations with like-minded organizations, fostering long-term resilience.
•  Increased visibility of women’s leadership in labor and environmental justice movements.