http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/247 2026-09-11T11:41:24Z 2026-09-11T11:41:24Z Sabarjah, S. Sukirthan, T. Selvarajan, P. http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2233 2026-09-11T08:16:36Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Heavy Wings of Journey: Exploring the Gendered Challenges and Resilience among Women Entrepreneurs in Vavuniya Sabarjah, S.; Sukirthan, T.; Selvarajan, P. Women’s participation in entrepreneurship is gradually increasing in many patriarchal societies as well. However, this growing presence should not simplify or romanticize the entrepreneurial journeys of women. Rather, there is a need to critically explore the gendered challenges that women entrepreneurs have to face within the journey and the forms of resilience women develop while navigating them. Vavuniya, a prominent district in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, represents a socio-culturally conservative space where traditional gender roles and gender narratives strongly regulate the social mobility and employment of women. Although women entrepreneurs are increasingly emerging in Vavuniya, once a venture becomes successful, such success is often interpreted as a form of ‘healing’ for the hardships endured. As a result, the challenges seem unexplored and less critically examined. As most of the crucial challenges that women entrepreneurs undergo are gendered in nature, this study aims to uncover the common yet often unnoticed gendered challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and to explore how resilience is built through their experiences. This study adopts a qualitative, interpretive approach and employs narrative inquiry to explore the lived experiences of selected aspiring women entrepreneurs from Vavuniya. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, enriched through the narrative storytelling of the selected entrepreneurs. The data were thematically analyzed with the support of qualitative data analysis software MAXQDA, through which five key themes were identified. The findings reveal that women entrepreneurs’ journeys are heavily shaped by socially assigned gender roles, where the women’s primary responsibility lies in domestic labor. It cannot be omitted but can be replaced by another woman in the family or, occasionally, by another man. This makes entrepreneurial engagement secondary, thereby intensifying the weight of the entrepreneurial journey. Secondly, this study identifies dominant gender narratives that normalize discrimination against women and question the competence and confidence of women as entrepreneurs. Beyond these direct gendered challenges, this study also found that women face broader economic and market pressures that are distinctly gendered or arise from the roots of gendered narratives. In response to these challenges, women showed resilience through entrepreneurial mindsets such as self-confidence, independence, risk-taking, and perseverance. Finally, this study presents the everyday practices of resilience, such as undertaking critical decision-making, creating alternative styles of doing business, and fostering women’s solidarity. Beyond its empirical contributions, this study offers practical and critical implications by recognizing and valuing the less-explored gendered hardships of women entrepreneurs. Further, the study stands in support of women entrepreneurs by highlighting their resilience while questioning discriminatory narratives and the unfair entrepreneurial journeys imposed on women through rigid gender roles. On the whole this study recommends for an entrepreneurial ecosystem with more equal and equitable spaces for women entrepreneurship.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Selvarajan, P. Satheeskumar, T. http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2232 2026-09-11T08:12:51Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Sri Lankan Universities: A Narrative Analysis Selvarajan, P.; Satheeskumar, T. This research intended to explore the major issue of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the Sri Lankan university system. Sexual and Gender-Based Violence refers to any harmful act perpetrated against a person’s will and based on socially ascribed gender differences. It is a violation of human rights rooted in unequal power relationships, gender inequality, and harmful norms. Although SGBV issues exist among both staff and students in Sri Lankan Universities, many incidents remain unreported, allowing perpetrators to continue harassment and gain advantage from victims’ silence. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to reveal how SGBV can be addressed and prevented from recurring within the University system. The primary researcher, drawing on her experience within the university system, her interest towards the maintenance of Gender Equity and Equality in the social context, and her involvement with the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), adopted a qualitative research approach using narrative analysis. This method was employed to examine the recurring scenarios related to SGBV across different universities in Sri Lanka, with a focus on identifying common patterns. Personal interviews, participant’ observation and the archival documents have been constituted as the data collection instruments. The findings highlight that both the staff and the students are affected by SGBV. Despite the existence of CGEEs in all state universities, many centres are not sufficiently active in conducting regular awareness programmes for staff and students. Junior academics often refrain from reporting incidents due to fear of damaging relationships with senior academics and concerns with their career development. Similarly, some academic staff abuse their power by harassing students and engaging in discriminatory academic practices. Senior students also involved in ragging and harassment towards the junior students. A few reported cases also turn back as a harassment for them during the inquiry. Therefore, the victims are reluctant to support to the University in this process. As a result, victims may withdraw from academic life, drop out, or experiencing severe psychological distress. Though there are enforcement of laws, those have not been strictly followed by the Universities. The perpetrators always make use of this opportunity as an advantage for them. Therefore, the study emphasizes the responsible officers should be vigilant and unbiased in these situations and the need for stronger enforcement of existing laws and for CGEEs to take timely, transparent, and effective action to prevent and eliminate SGBV in Sri Lankan Universities.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Sivapragasham, P. Selvarajan, P. Nedumaran, G. http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2231 2026-09-11T08:07:42Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

The Effectiveness of Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP) towards the Sustainability of Women Entrepreneurs in Vavuniya District of Sri Lanka Sivapragasham, P.; Selvarajan, P.; Nedumaran, G. This study aimed at identifying the success of the Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP), financed by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the Government of Sri Lanka with UNDP support, which was launched during 2017–2025. It targeted the resilience of smallholder farmers, particularly women entrepreneurs, in the Dry Zone. The current study examines the aspect of CRIWMP’s socio-economic interventions in the Vavuniya District and the support to women entrepreneurs and household producers for their social wellbeing and the sustainability. Among thousands of women entrepreneurs, 18 successful women entrepreneurs have been interviewed for this qualitative study. Findings proved that CRIWMP’s broader emphasis on agro- based livelihoods which denoted that thousands of farmers in the dry zone have received “agriculture technology packages” including home gardens, and women often engage in food- and craft-based enterprises. CRIWMP’s focus on women is likely to amplify the social impact of its investments. The training and technology transfers also build women’s skills and confidence in business management. In Vavuniya District, it is indicated that CRIWMP’s livelihood component has effectively supported a diverse set of women led enterprises. It is also recommended that further steps to be taken by identifying other women entrepreneurs when dealing with these types of projects.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Rukshan, A. Premanathan, T. http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2121 2026-07-02T09:50:52Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Reasons Behind Back Sourcing Decision in Facilities Management Services: Expert Survey of Sri Lankan Cases Rukshan, A.; Premanathan, T. Global interest in back sourcing has risen due to outsourcing failures, yet research on back sourcing in the facilities management services is limited. This study aims to identify back sourcing reasons in facilities management services in Sri Lanka. Four industries including food, apparel, private hospital, and hotel were chosen to conduct an expert survey interview from middle managers who have been involved in the back sourcing process of the facility management services. Data were analysed through content analysis. Findings revealed that dissatisfaction with service quality often initiates back sourcing; high costs and poor service quality were common reasons. Additionally, organizational changes, such as management shifts and strategic adjustments, along with changes in vendor structure and strategies due to external factors, influenced the decision to bring outsourced functions back in-house. This study explores the nuanced dynamics of back sourcing decisions in the facilities management services in Sri Lanka.

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