iProbono Teams Up with Emerge to Empower Young Women with Legal Rights
Article by Shevindri Manuel, iProbono
Ramya* is 19 years old. For the first time in her life, she has opened a bank account and shopped for groceries on her own. These may seem like everyday activities to most, but for Ramya, a survivor of childhood abuse, these small steps mark a monumental turning point in her journey toward independence.
Ramya grew up in institutional care, after being removed from her home where she faced childhood sexual abuse. By the time she turned 18, she had no family support, and faced stigma and isolation. She also had no financial security, and little knowledge of how to navigate the world outside. Like many young women leaving institutional care, she was vulnerable to further exploitation.
Isolated and unable to find a safe community, Ramya did not have the tools or capacity to form safe relationships or identify unsafe situations. She soon found herself in an unsafe living situation once again, trapped in a cycle of abuse and control by an older man. For two years, Ramya lived in his home, afraid to speak out due to the influence he enjoyed in the area. Her activities were monitored closely, making it difficult for her to even leave the house. At this point, she made use of the contact information she had been given by Emerge Lanka Foundation and that she had managed to keep with her belongings.
Emerge Lanka Foundation stepped in immediately, ensuring that Ramya was safely removed from her abusive environment and provided with shelter. They also supported her with legal guidance, helped her lodge a complaint against her abuser, and provided a lawyer to assist her through the difficult process. The Foundation also monitors the earlier cases that Ramya had in process since she was a child facing abuse. Together, Ramya and Emerge Lanka were able to obtain a Protection Order against her abuser, giving Ramya the opportunity to rebuild her life.
Ramya’s story is part of the reason why iProbono collaborated with Emerge Lanka Foundation to develop our Empowerment Toolkit: Navigating Legal Rights and Protections in Sri Lanka — a resource specifically designed to inform survivors of their legal rights and equip them with practical tools for self-protection. The toolkit is used by Emerge as part of their Emerge Centre for Reintegration Program, where survivors are offered legal support and life skill training, to be able to reclaim their lives.
On International Women’s Day, iProbono and Emerge Lanka Foundation proudly introduce this toolkit to young women in Sri Lanka, ensuring that survivors of abuse are no longer left in the dark when it comes to understanding their rights.
A Toolkit for Justice and Protection
This toolkit serves as a crucial guide for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, breaking down complex legal frameworks into accessible information that survivors can use to advocate for themselves. Developed with inputs from lawyers, activists, and mental health professionals, it provides:
An understanding of fundamental legal rights
Guidance on navigating police procedures
Information on protection orders and legal recourse
Digital safety and how to safeguard against online exploitation
Building Confidence Through Legal Training
In the weeks leading up to the launch, iProbono’s Program Manager Shevindri Manuel and Program Officer Punardhi Wijesinghe conducted a series of legal rights workshops in Colombo, aimed at women like Ramya, who had previously been institutionalised or lived in shelters across Sri Lanka.
The workshops, rooted in the content of the Empowerment Toolkit, ranged from the basics of Sri Lankan law and legal protections to how to approach law enforcement and what to expect at a police station. They also focused on identifying safe relationships and avoiding exploitation, while also staying safe online.
Through interactive exercises and engaging discussions, the young women not only learned about the law but also built confidence to assert their rights. Punardhi Wijesinghe reflected, “Our team had the privilege of witnessing a beautiful transformation. The training sessions fostered trust, allowing these young women to reveal their true, playful nature. The positive attitude shift was truly rewarding.”
The Voices of Change
The impact of this initiative goes beyond the legal knowledge imparted—it is about empowering young women to reclaim their autonomy and build a life of dignity. One of the participants shared, “I feel empowered by learning about my rights, and it makes me happy to know that I'm entitled to equality.”
Each of these young women has faced obstacles that would overwhelm many. Yet, through Emerge’s Centre for Reintegration, they have learned that their past does not define their future. At the Centre, we watched them embrace their stories, understand their rights, and recognise their power to shape their own lives.
At iProbono, we remain committed to justice that is inclusive, accessible, and survivor-centered. This collaboration with Emerge Lanka Foundation is just one step toward ensuring that survivors in Sri Lanka have the knowledge and tools they need to build independent, empowered lives.
Read the Empowerment Toolkit:
*Names and identifying details have been changed
