Viluthu envisions an inclusive and socially cohesive society which practices participatory democracy and enjoys gender equality, economic and social justice and equitable development.
Viluthu refers to, in Tamil, the hanging roots of the Banyan Tree. Just as the hanging roots of the banyan tree support and nourish the branches to spread far and wide, this organization supports and strengthens people’s networks and organizations of affected communities.
Founded in 2003, during the cease fire peacebuilding process in Sri Lanka, they have continued to work during the war and after the end of violent conflict to enhance women and youth participation, provide access and relief to the most marginalized groups and improve understanding and relationships between and among different ethnic and religious communities in Sri Lanka. Their efforts have been focused on primarily conflict affected and vulnerable people.
Viluthu was founded by the late Shanthi Satchithanandam, the renowned human rights activist, with the vision of creating a social movement for change. Many of their foundational values of being people-centred, rights based and interdisciplinary in their approach to context analysis comes from her strong convictions in the same values.
They started by creating strong organic women’s grassroots networks to engage and address issues arising in conflict affected areas, now known as Samasam. Given the increasing focus on women heads of households and ensuring that they had strong negotiating powers and capacities to engage meaningfully in policy directives, they also supported the creation and growth of the Amara forum for women heads of households in 2011 which has now increased to 20,000 members. Similarly they have numerous youth societies and groups ranging in membership of 1500 youth members who are capacitated to act as change agents and support campaigns and community efforts for peacebuilding and sustainable development.
Viluthu has nearly 80% female leadership in their highest offices. One strong focus of their endeavours has been to enhance women’s political participation and policy interventions. This led to the creation of the grassroots owned Widows Charter (2015), a first for not only Sri Lanka, but the region itself. This charter has subsequently informed the drafting of the National Policy on Female Heads of Households and Action Plan. This has lent strength to the first National and District Platform of Women for Transitional Justice and Reconciliation (TJR) across the country. Formed in 2018 in partnership with Women’s Development Centre, the platform is the largest, geographically and ethnically diverse platform which exclusively concerns itself with TJR issues. The 160 representatives of the platform are connected to approximately 15,000 women members.
While they have expanded from their inception to work with a wide variety of stakeholders, ranging from government officials, academics, political representatives, journalists and institutions, women and youth groups form the backbone of their work.
