Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), University Grants Commission

The Centre for Gender Equity/ Equality (CGEE) is the implementation arm of the UGC Standing Committee on Gender Equity/ Equality. The Standing Committee is the standard setter, policy maker, regulator and arbitrator of UGC policy on gender equity/ equality in Sri Lankan Universities. The Centre for Gender Equity/ Equality is headed by a Director and administrative staff who reports back to the Standing Committee.

The Centre for Gender Equity/ Equality is founded on the simultaneous conceptualization of gender equity/ equality. This means that both the similarities of men’s and women’s life experiences as well as the differences in their life experiences are taken into account in conceptualizations and discussions about gender.

Standing Committee of Gender Equity/ Equality

The Standing Committee of Gender Equity/ Equality has been established in the year 2015 based on the simultaneous concept of gender equity/ equality by the University Grants Commission in accordance with the provisions made under section 4(2) of the Universities Act, No.16 of 1978 as amended.

Gender equity and equality are means that both the similarities of men’s and women’s life experiences as well as the differences in their life experiences are taken into account in conceptualizations and discussions about gender. It is the standard setter, policy maker, regulator and arbitrator of UGC policy on gender equity/ equality in Sri Lankan Universities.

Gender equity recognizes the differences between men and women depending on their biological sex, their gendered life experiences as well as their social distinctions/ intersections. Consequently, men and women have to be treated equitably so as to ensure the fulfillment of these differing needs, interests and priorities. Equity is expected to provide for fairness and justice.

Gender equality is the notion that men and women are similar; that they have common needs, interests, and priorities based on their humanity that should be treated equally via equal rights, freedom, status, responsibilities, opportunities, access to resources and benefits, and control over them. Equality is understood as equal valuing by society of the similarities and differences of men and women and the roles they play without any discrimination.

Accordingly, the standing committee is consists of two co-chairs, subject expertise and heads of the Gender Focal Points established in state universities or an expert representing each university.

Vision

The Centre for Gender Equity/ Equality is to be the Centre that ensures the institutional capacity of the Universities/ Higher Educational Institutions executed under the purview of the University Grants Commission to develop a conducive environment for work and study within which equal opportunities are perpetually accessible and available regardless of identity differences for all women and men who are involved in the functioning of the Higher Educational Institutions.

Mission

The Centre for Gender Equity/ Equality will proactively act and respond to situations of discrimination, victimization, harassment and bullying to ensure that every individual member (irrespective of any differences) is treated equally in all activities/ relations and at all levels in the Universities/ Higher Educational Institutions that are performing under the purview of the University Grants Commission.

Objectives of the Centre

1. To assist the Standing Committee on Gender Equity/ Equality to develop UGC policy on Gender Equity and Equality in Sri Lankan Universities and HEIs
2. To assist the Standing Committee on Gender Equity/ Equality in the facilitation of the establishment/ development of appropriate structures/ systems on Gender Equity / Equality in Universities and HEIs
3. To assist the Standing Committee on Gender Equity/ Equality in monitoring and supporting Universities and HEIs in implementing of UGC policy on Gender Equity and Equality
4. To facilitate the review of UGC policies and programs from a perspectives of Gender Equity/ Equality.
5. To assist the Standing Committee on Gender Equity/ Equality in strengthening grievance redress procedures related to sexual and gender-based violence in Sri Lankan Universities
6. To house and implement a mechanism of redress for sexual and gender-based violence in universities under the purview of University Grants Commission
7. To provide expertise on Gender Equity/ Equality to develop university curricula and research, and contribute other gender-related inputs to the University Community.
8. To conduct training for university staff, students and communities on Gender Equity/ Equality

What is the Grievance Redress Mechanism?

Online Complaints Mechanism is new initiative of the University Grants Commission that has been set up as a means for any member of the university community to lodge a complaint regarding incidents of ragging, SGBV, intimidation, bullying and any other form of violence. All complaints that are lodged will be investigated and victims of such incidents will be offered support and redress.

What type of grievances can be lodged online?

1. All forms of ragging
2. Sexual harassment
3. Sexual or gender based violence
4. Threats and Intimidation
5. Bullying
6. Harassment

Inflicting physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life based on one’s gender and/or sexuality. It includes sexual harassment, domestic violence and anti-mate partner violence amongst other practices.

All complaints once lodged will be investigated and cannot be withdrawn. However, if complaints are found to be false or malicious, those who made such complaints will be subjected to disciplinary procedures.

CGEE Website: https://eugc.ugc.ac.lk/cgee/index.html

CGEE Grievance Redress Mechanism: https://eugc.ugc.ac.lk/cgee/grivance-redress-mechanism.html

CGEE Complaint Portal: https://eugc.ugc.ac.lk/complaint-portal/

(The above details have been extracted from the website of the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), University Grants Commission)

Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), University of Ruhuna

In line with the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), University Grants Commission, University of Ruhuna has its own CGEE headed by a Director and nine representatives to represent the nine faculties.

Director

Dr Indi Akurugoda

Email address: irakurugoda@hss.ruh.ac.lk

Contact number: 0718998240

Faculty representatives 

Activities conducted by the CGEE, University of Ruhuna

1. ELEVATE film screening

The Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), University of Ruhuna, organized the ELEVATE Film Screening on January 20, 2025, at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Auditorium, in collaboration with the UGC’s Centre for Gender Equity and Equality and the Centre for Media and Information Literacy. The objective of the event was to showcase impactful films created under the ELEVATE Project and engage the audience in meaningful discussions on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Cyber Gender-Based Violence (CGBV). The event showcased 12 short films by female undergraduates addressing gender inequality, SRHR, and CGBV. Following the screening, two insightful panel discussions featuring filmmakers and academics delved into the social, cultural, political, and policy implications of the issues depicted in the films.

2. Awareness sessions at the orientation program, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

The Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), University of Ruhuna, conducted four awareness sessions for the newly enrolled first-year students of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences on March 24, 2025, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The sessions featured short film screenings and discussions on gender equity and equality, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Cyber Gender-Based Violence (CGBV), and ragging. Dr. Indi Akurugoda, Head and Senior Lecturer of the Department of Public Policy and Director of CGEE, University of Ruhuna led engaging discussions covering key areas such as gender equity and equality, sexual harassment, ragging, cyber violence, and preventive measures, including their legal frameworks. 

3. Awareness sessions at the orientation program, Faculty of Management and Finance

The Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), University of Ruhuna, conducted multiple sessions for first-year students of the Faculty of Management and Finance as part of their orientation program 2025. On March 28, 2025, two sessions were held featuring short film screenings and discussions on ragging, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and Cyber Gender-Based Violence (CGBV), with a focus on preventive measures and related legal frameworks. On July 17, 2025, CGEE conducted another awareness session for first-year students of the faculty, focusing on gender equity and equality, SRHR, and ragging, as part of its ongoing awareness program on these key areas. The sessions were conducted by Dr. Indi Akurugoda, Head and Senior Lecturer of the Department of Public Policy and Director of CGEE, University of Ruhuna. These sessions aimed to raise awareness, promote respectful behavior, and encourage students to understand and address critical social issues within the university environment.