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Women still to see the light of dawn
by Zanita Careem
The universal right to sexual and reproductive health was affirmed by 180 nations and NGOs throughout the world at the International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo in September 1994.Informed free choice, respect for physical integrity and freedom from discrimination or coercision in all matters related to one’s sexual and reproductive life were upheld as fundamental. In essence, the IPCD programme of action provided an unprecedented framework for all people to seek and enhance freely and responsibly then health and well being.
Since the Cairo and Beijing conference countries have undertaken a broad range of actions to implement the IPCD approach by repealing legislation that discriminated the female and girls in general, and have taken measures to improve their legal and socio-economic status and the girl child.
Many countries have taken initiatives to increase the representation of women in policy making bodies.
Gender based violence once an ignored subject, is now being openly acknowledged, publicly decided and made punishable under the law. Several countries, including Sri Lanka, have enacted laws protecting women from violence and codes of law have been revised to include matters of domestic violence. The subject of abortion is now discussed openly.
On the whole there is increased awareness in the need to promote and protect women’s rights, especially their reproductive rights.
Female genital mutilation which was practised by many countries has been outlawed.
Efforts have been made to encourage men to take responsibility for their reproductive and sexual behaviour and health and to support women’s health. There has also been great progress in access to and use of family planning.
Indeed family planning is considered one of the success stories of development in the present era. Today over half of all couples in developing countries use contraceptives whereas only less than 10% employed it about 30 years ago.
The size of the family has radically dropped in Lanka too.
On the miner side it is distressing to note the spiralling increase in sexually transmitted diseases and the AIDs epidemic.
The F.P.A. of Sri Lanka has developed activities to move away from exclusive family planning to a wide programme of productive health. The association works in particular to eliminate unsafe abortion. IFPA is being increasingly integrated with reproductive health concerns.
Despite these progressive measures there are many disturbing trends. It is said that every minute of everyday a woman dies as a result of a unsafe abortion. Even in Sri Lanka, maternal deaths are common due to unsafe abortions.
Abortions are mostly due to unmarried young women getting pregnancy due to having pre-marital sex, single parenthood is not tolerated here and is an unheard in our country. Reduction of maternal motality is a central ICPD goal. We have an active Family Planning ‚entre in Colombo has helped to reduce abortions and increased the use of contraceptives.
While the objectives of the ICPD 20-year programme of action are laudable and comprehensive in nature here, the agenda has so far met with a lukewarm attitude from the government.
We in Sri Lanka are well aware that we have a civil war of an ethnic context and that the government gives priority to the ongoing war. But to side-line the many risks attendant on the neglect of reproductive health care and STD/RTI prevention and control will only open a new battlefront, whose repercussion will be far more costly than that of the on going civil war to be brought under control.
The media promotion of reproductive health care, is not sufficient.
Sometimes contraceptives are projected by the media to have side effects, discouraging many women for using them.
Even the parliamentarians here are not sufficiently literate to give top billing to this all important subject. Most often reproductive health are unfamiliar terms to them.
Even where the reproductive health approach is well understood there is not always a clear understanding of how to prioritise its various segments.
In addition the fundamental relationship between traditional roles and empowerment of women and girls and the attainment of reproductive health are not widely recognised especially at policy making level, while reproductive tract infections which poses grave threats to women are not widely acknowledged.
Social and cultural obstacles still prevent women from having access to family planning information. Despite all efforts of the FPA to provide sex education in schools it is widely considered a sensitive issue among policy makers, parents and teachers.
In these circumstances the FPA and other NGOs should draw in the private sector, which can mobilize resources, institute new and affordable mechanism in reproductive health technologies for STD/RTI prevention and controlling.
It has to be made part of the public health agenda and the influential private sector could make the government see the light of the day in this respect.
An Escoffier Chef, Knighted by her native Sri Lanka, honoured as the first Asian Chef to officiate at Robert Mondavi Winery’s Great Chef’s programme, Felicia Sorensen has attached many honours for this distinction.
• She is Asia’s most renowned proponent of Sri Lankan cuisine. Her activities consulting for Asian and European hotels and restaurants have brought the tastes of her island’s cookery to countless diners - and the skill of blending them to the hundreds of chefs she has trained.
• Educated at St. Bridget’s’s Convent, Colombo. Sri Lanka’s Shikamani Felicia Sorensen - Felicia to her associates - is also accomplished in European and Southeast Asian cuisine. Her career began when she earned a diploma in 1962 at the London City and guild Polytechnic, qualifying her as a dietician. In l969, Ms. Sorensen was employed by the Hong Kong Hilton, which led to a position as banquet manager for the Lee Gardens Hotel two years later.
• In the 70s, her career took a five-year detour into the garment industry when she was managing director of Scantex International and her own firm, Felitex Fashion Ltd. After she returned to the world of food and cookery, Ms. Sorensen began packaging and selling her own blends of spices, such as curry powder, chutney etc., under the brand name, "Felicia’s Kitchen" - a product line which remains popular.
• She gives cookery lessons for the public and consults with restaurants and hotels on several varieties of Southeast Asian cuisine. But she supervises food promotions for Sri Lankan dishes only.
• Her list of Sri Lankan food promotions among hotels in Asia is impressive. They include most notably the Mandarin Oriental Group as well as the Hilton, Holiday Inn, Shangri-La and Westin chains. She has also conducted a food promotion for the SAS Palais Hotel in Vienna.
• Ms. Sorensen’s skill and reputation gained her entry into the ranks of Les Disciples d’ Auguste Escoffier in 1980. In 1984 she authored the Exotic Tastes of Paradise, published by Lincoln Green Publishing, Hong Kong. It continues to enjoy brisk sales along with a video tape of the same name.
• The year 1992 was exceptionally rewarding for her. She was chosen guest chef at the Robert Mondavi Vinery’s Great Chef’s Weekend - the first Asian chef to enjoy this distinction. Also the Government of Sri Lanka conferred the title Shikamani - literally, precious jewel - upon her the same year. Corresponding to a knighthood, the honorific demonstrates the esteem her native country holds for her.
HIGH FASHIONS
Europe Day... Music, Dance and Champagneby Kirthi Sri Karunaratne
The old world charm and grandeur of the Elphinstone Theatre was the ideal surroundings for the European union Chamber orchestra in concert as part of the celebrations of Europe Day recently. Inspite of the acoustics which could have been better, the audience were treated to a feast of music played with a depth of understanding and feeling, which established a rapport that brought ovation after ovation. On the second day the music ranged from the works of Mozart to Sibelius, with the Piano concerto in E flat K. 271 ‘Jeunehomme’ played by the orchestra with twenty four year old Christian Seibert as soloist, who excelled himself, to turn into the star of the show. His choice of an encore, the Listz Paganni Variations was indeed a showcase for his great talent, which will soon rocket him into a world class concert performer.In a compliment to Sri Lanka some members of the orchestra wore sarees to perform in. Among them were Helena and Mimi from Sweden. Petite and pretty, Tafiana Romaro opted for silk pyjamas, tied at the waist in sarong style, and a brief blouse in shot bouganvillea and green. Over this was a long black coat, which had long sleeves and was open down the front.
The concert was followed by a reception to further celebrate Europe Day hosted by the Ambassador, head of Delegation of the European Commission H. E. Illka Uusitalo and Mrs. Inkeri Uusitalo at the Atrium Lobby of the Galadari Hotel. The guests were taken on a imaginary trip to Europe on a mock train, in the carriages of which were delicacies from the many European lands.
The reception also proved to be an opportunity to meet the members of the orchestra, who enjoyed themselves so much they were loath to leave our shores the next morning. Those who stayed on danced into the late evening.
Fashion was a high mote too, with Inkeri leading the way in a simple but immaculately tailored dress of the softest rose pink linen, she wore with a strand of pearls.
Pearls were also the choice of Sharmini Wettimuny. She had several strands twisted into a rope, and matching earstuds to compliment her smart black saree bordered in two designs in white.
Ramani Corea had her blue saree with its broad pallu of splashes of stain glass like colour draped in the gujarathi style, over a bare shouldered blouse, bringing back memories of the Coorg drape which was the rage some years ago.
The Kandyan saree Manique Mendis wore drew gasps of admiration. In shot ultramarine blue chiffon, the ‘ihe’ had diagonal panels of embroidered ribbon work in shades of blue, and sequins of the same colour. The fall too was worked and the simple blouse had short sleeves. She wore no Jewelry, and only had strands of jasmines in her coiffure.
A candy pink saree striped in luminous ivory was the choice of Shyamala (Mala) Fernando, to wear with a necklace of pearls and a pendent with a pink stone at its centre. It was an evening of delight, fulfilling in every aspect, and the Tango Piazzola the orchestra played as the final encore, was an embodiment of the spirit of the occasion.
Anniversary Cocktails
The Board of Directors of Buildmart Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. held a lavish cocktail party to mark the tenth Anniversary of the Company in the newly refurbished Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Hilton. Fellowship in the lobby before was followed by a modern dance routine staged for the entertainment of the guest. A very fashionable gathering met friends and were hosted in style on this occasion.The wife of the Chairman, Anoji Stayendra picked on a classic Indian silk saree in a lovely shade of veridian green, with a border and pallu in the unusual combination of deep blue and bronze. She wore pearls for Jewellery, and accessories were in black.
In a colour which was only a tone different was her mother Rohini (Chocs) Yoheshwaram. Her saree too of the satin finished Tanchoi silk was with a border and pallu in gold with hints of tangerine and charcoal in it. She too wore pearls.
There were several western styles, worn by our women. Of these simple and smart was the shift dress Reshmi Ukwatte wore. The sleeveless style was foil to her Jewelry which was a chocker of a row of single flowers, each petal in a shimmering smoky moonstone.
The white top Christine Ondaatje wore was a thing of beauty. The hip length top with just above the elbow length sleeves was entirely encrusted in pearls, with three rows of pearls edging the neckline and sleeves. A pair of simple black pants, stud earrings and black handbag completed the outfit. In an ethnic style was Leena Hirdramani. Over her Sharara was a long flowing robe in panels in pale gold mesh, with stripes of gold sequined braiding on it far apart, A stole of the mesh was appliqued in the silk to make a radiating design, and for an ornament she wore a choker of pearls.
The saree Swaire Balendra wore of chiffon in lovely shade of green, had borders and pallu in a gold tone, with embroidery in fine chain stich in green, off white and deeper gold, with touches of brown, which gave the impression of ribbon work. She too wore pearls and her accessories were in gold.
Nadine Mahendra too picked on a tone of green, only more towards aquamarine, with a border in blocks of blue, cerise and deeper green, eddged in gold. The blouse was shot in the colour of the saree and gold. Gold bag and pearls clasped in rubies and gold were the finisihing touches to her ensemble.
Ira Bata Tharuwa a family drama produced by veteran and popular actress Sriyani Amarasena will soon be on the small screen.
This tele-series is laden with emotions, intrigue, love, compassion and passion while the people are divided by caste, creed and religion. There is a common thread that runs through the fabric of society that is in love and compassion which is part of the society.
The story revolves around a mother’s love towards her daughter. The mother who think sthat her daughter was dead, finds her in the city of London after 20 years. The emotional meeting of the mother and daughter against the backdrop of London is poignant. The location of the Buckingham Place underground railway station colourful sceneries all add colour to the search. The serial is a full and action packed. It is a tele-series that appeal to the people say Sriyani.
The tale of love and passions revolves round the mother who is desperate to meet her daughter when she finds out that she is in London. The story reflects the unbinding love of mother’s to awards their children. But more than the emotional element, its the spectacular role and action of the cast that attracts attention. Directed by Sudath Rohana, this telefim is shot mostly in London. - ZC
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