SIPL was approached by the Women’s Development Centre (WDC) to assist in developing its Strategic Plan for the period of 2020 – 2024. WDC works to ensure protection and empowerment of women and children, with its “Network of Women” (NOW) in 13 districts in Sri Lanka.

With a view to moving towards achieving its vision to be a “leading role model creating a dignified society serving the socially challenged women and children of Sri Lanka” WDC sought to not only appraise the work they had done in the areas of; shelter for survivors of sexual violence; resource centre for information and educational material for lawyers and counsellors; vocational training for children with disabilities and engagement with sex workers but to also brainstorm ways to continue being a part of a progressive social transformation.

Further, the changes in the context due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and emerging socio-political trends required WDC to strategically realign its future directions. In undertaking this assignment, SIPL undertook to facilitate a creative, structured, yet challenging discussion about a new Strategic Pan for WDC. The strategic planning process also enabled WDC to develop a meaningful Annual Plan for the coming year.