Gayathri Panampitiya | University of Kelaniya (original) (raw)

Papers by Gayathri Panampitiya

Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021

In every human society, the household is one of the most significant social institution. Female-H... more In every human society, the household is one of the most significant social institution. Female-Headed Households (FHHs) is a new structural form of household and this new structural form of household has become a significant phenomenon in both global and national level. Although FHHs have occupied a prominent place in development discourse globally, very limited researches had been conducted regarding social and health conditions related to FHHs in Sri Lanka. The main objective of this study was to identify the background and issues related to social and health conditions, root causes, and interrelationships among those issues of FHHs in rural areas. The empirical research was conducted in five Grama Niladari Divisions of Galgamuwa divisional secretariat division which conveyed a marked increase of FHHs in Sri Lanka. Data were collected from hundred FHHs through purposive sampling method. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used as primary data collection techniques. The study revealed that the inadequate education and vocational qualifications, low level of tendency to enter to formal employment sector, unsustainability of livelihood activities, low conditions of houses and related facilities, some legal issues related to residence, inadequate social supportive mechanisms in the community, lack of leadership and empowerment were prominent among social conditions and related issues. Unavailability of toilet facilities (19%), unavailability of drinking water in the own household (45%), prevalence of long-term affected health issue (49%) were the key issues of health and sanitary facilities related to FHHs in the sample. Based on these findings it has provided suggestions to improve social well-being and to improve health sanitary and infrastructure facilities, to reduce prevalence of non-communicable and communicable diseases as well as health risk and to improve quality of life and mental well-being among FHHs.

Main intention of this article is to analyze the importance of indigenous knowledge related to th... more Main intention of this article is to analyze the importance of indigenous knowledge related to the traditional agriculture in particularly paddy and shifting cultivation (Chena) to improve sustainable livelihood practices and conditions in the modern society. This study has used literature review method and relevant literature has been analyzed based on content analysis according to the purposes of the study. The purposive random sampling methods was used to select literature. This study has been analyzed under some major parts namely definitions of indigenous knowledge and its important, introduction to traditional agriculture in Sri Lanka, Indigenous knowledge related to the paddy cultivation and traditional techniques and practices related to the shifting cultivation (Chena) in Sri Lanka. This study shows the significant of preserving and integrating these indigenous knowledge and practices into modern agriculture field and finally has been suggested some implications regarding the sustainable traditional methods and techniques.

The main objective of this study was to identify the social issues related to empowerment of wome... more The main objective of this study was to identify the social issues related to empowerment of women heads in rural areas. This empirical research was conducted in five Grama Niladari divisions of Galgamuwa divisional secretariat division which conveyed a marked increase of FHHs in Sri Lanka. Data were collected from a hundred FHHs through purposive sampling method. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used as primary data collection techniques. The research was conducted based on the survey method. Power and authority are attributed in most patriarchal societies to women mainly due to the disappearing of the male person of the household. It could identify that there was also an attitudinal issue inside women. They identified authority and power to make decisions as a difficult responsibility rather than an opportunity. Even after assuming headship of the household, women have tended spontaneously to depend on others specially on a male figure as soon as possible. Membership of community organizations illustrates a significant cross-cutting of the social profile of individuals. A majority (99%) of FHHs had obtained membership of death donation organization and Samurdhi organization (79%). But importantly, it could be identified that majority of FHHs (80%, 66%, and 55%) had not obtained memberships respectively of the women development organization, water organization, and farmers’ organization. According to above data, it infers the idea that most of FHHs have obtained membership of community organization based on their benefits not because of any other motivational factors. Most of the current government programmes have related to the financial and physical allowances and has influenced to create a dependent mentality and to decrease the motivational factors among FHHs. Majority of FHHs in the sample (73%) had been benefitted by any kind of public financial source such as Samurdhi, allowances for disabled persons or “Pin Padi”. In one hand, it has become a great contribution to their household income. On the other hand, it has influenced to create dependency mentality among most of women. As a result of that, a larger percentage of FHHs (75%) had requested more programmes on financial aids. In conclusion, it infers that the low level of motivation and empowerment, inadequate awareness about skills and potentials of them and limited knowledge on true sense and importance of community development components had affected to create a negative impact within them. Based on these findings it has been suggested to introduce integrated projects based on participatory development approach and methods of social inclusion to enhance opportunities to build self-esteem and self-confidence and to identify adaptation and mitigation actions to reduce hardships and issues through empowering latent potentials and skills of FHHs.

Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021

Aim: The Household can be divided into Male-headed Households (MHHs) and Female-Headed Households... more Aim: The Household can be divided into Male-headed Households (MHHs) and Female-Headed Households (FHHs) based on the sex of the head of household. A Female-Headed Household is a household that has a female headship. The normal condition of a patriarchal society is the male-headship of a household. But, a woman has to assume the headship of their household due to different reasons such as widowhood, divorce, separation, unmarried, permanent or long-term disability or sickness of the husband, etc. Thus, this study aims to identify structural and functional changes of FHHs before and after assuming the headship of women in their households. Methodology: This study was conducted in five Grama Niladari divisions (Molewa, Kallanchiya, Koonwewa, Wadugama, and Medawachchiya) of Galgamuwa divisional secretariat in Kurunegala district of Northwestern province in Sri Lanka. The sample were 100 women-heads based on the purposive sampling method. Primary data collection techniques were questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Research methods were survey method and case study method. Quantitative data were analyzed based on descriptive statistical method and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive method. Findings: Major structural changes in FHHs include adding them to their parents' households, adding parents to their households, changing guardianship of children, getting their children married and separated from reproductive families, children dying, and children becoming ordained. Changes in livelihood activities, decision-making, and authority, as well as social and cultural functions, were highlighted as functional changes in the study, particularly in the household's economic function and authority to make decisions. Implications/Novel Contribution: The majority of women-heads (74%) stated that structural and functional changes have had a negative impact on their current living situations. Economic hardships, insecure livelihood activities, sole household responsibilities, lack of community supportive mechanisms, gender bias in the socialization process, dependency and subordinate mentality in decision-making, and other factors have all influenced their negative reactions to specific functional changes after assuming the headship. As a result, it is critical to conduct mobilization and empowerment programs for women-heads at the grassroots level in order to increase their decision-making, leadership, and active community engagement potentials. Improving their emotional well-being requires introducing emotional supportive mechanisms such as counseling, coaching, and legal support networks.

Conference Proceedings National Research Conference on Applied Social Statistics, 2019

In every human society, the household is one of the most significant social institution. Although... more In every human society, the household is one of the most significant social institution. Although household has been considered as a universal social institution, it can be identified that modern household has undergone significant transformations in its structure. Women-Headed Households (WHHs) is a new structural form of household and this new structural form of household has become a significant phenomenon in both global and national level. Although WHHs have occupied a prominent place in development discourse globally, very limited researches had been conducted regarding social and health conditions related to WHHs in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the main objective of this study was to identify the background and issues related to social and health conditions, root causes, and interrelationships among those issues of WHHs in rural areas. The empirical research was conducted in five Grama Niladari Divisions of Galgamuwa divisional secretariat division which conveyed a marked increase of WHHs in Sri Lanka. Data were collected from hundred WHHs through purposive sampling method. Questionnaires and semistructured interviews were used as primary data collection techniques based on the survey method. The study revealed that the inadequate education and vocational qualifications, low level of tendency to enter to formal employment sector, unsustainability of livelihood activities, low conditions of houses and related facilities, some legal issues related to residence, inadequate social supportive mechanisms in the community, lack of leadership and empowerment were prominent among social conditions and related issues. Unavailability of toilet facilities (19%), unavailability of drinking water in the own household (45%), prevalence of long-term affected health issue (49%) were the key issues of health and sanitary facilities related to WHHs in the sample. Based on these findings it has provided suggestions to improve social well-being and to improve health sanitary and infrastructure facilities, to reduce prevalence of non-communicable and communicable diseases as well as health risk and to improve quality of life and mental well-being among WHHs.

International Journal of Academic Research, 2020

Empowerment refers to the process of stimulation of potential powers, capabilities, abilities, an... more Empowerment refers to the process of stimulation of potential powers, capabilities, abilities, and skills of individuals and communities. It plays a significant role to support active life through promoting the independent voice of disadvantaged and vulnerable communities. Hence, women empowerment enables women to identify their latent potentials and skills in decision making, active participation and implementation of policies and programmes. Women-Headed Households (WHHs) is a new form of the household and this new form of the household has become a significant phenomenon in both the global and national level. Although WHHs have occupied a prominent place in development discourse globally, very limited researches have been conducted regarding women empowerment related to WHHs in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the main objective of this study was to identify the social issues related to empowerment of women heads in rural areas. This empirical research was conducted in five Grama Niladari divisions of Galgamuwa divisional secretariat division which conveyed a marked increase of WHHs in Sri Lanka. Data were collected from a hundred WHHs through purposive sampling method. Questionnaires and semistructured interviews were used as primary data collection techniques. The research was conducted based on the survey method and case study method. Data were analysed based on thematic analysis and descriptive method. Power and authority are attributed in most patriarchal societies to women mainly due to the disappearing of the male person of the household. Thus, it could be identified that power and authority to make decisions in most cases of WHHs are not result of mobilization or empowerment but, women have no choice other than deciding on her household after assuming headship. Membership of community organizations illustrates a significant crosscutting of the social profile of individuals. A majority (99%) of WHHs had

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2019

Main intention of this article is to analyse the importance of gender mainstreaming in Disaster R... more Main intention of this article is to analyse the importance of gender mainstreaming in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in in order to reduce the gap gaps and to enhance gender equality in the fields of adaptation methods, resilience actions and reduction of disaster risk. This study has used literature review method and relevant literature have been analysed based on descriptive analysis according to the purposes of the study. The purposive sampling method was used to select relevant literature. This study has been analysed under some major parts namely definitions of Disaster and its classification, Disaster risk and Disaster Risk Reduction, Mainstreaming gender for Disaster Risk Reduction. This study shows the significance of mainstreaming gender in Disaster Risk Reduction from the level of policy-making to community implementations.

Key words: Gender, Gender Equality, Gender Mainstreaming, Disaster, Disaster Risk Reduction.

Journal of Gender and sustainable Development, Volume 01, Issue 01., 2018

The main intention of this research paper is to identify the actual situation of economic conditi... more The main intention of this research paper is to identify the actual situation of economic conditions and issues which are connected the living of Female-Headed Household (FHHs) root causes and intensity of issues and interrelationships among those issues in sociological perspective. In order to achieve the main objective, specific objectives were designed carefully. They are, identifying the concept of Head of Household and Female-Headed Households, the processes which women become household heads and to identify the socioeconomic conditions of Female-Headed Households. This analysis has subcategorized into three major parts-the concept of Female-Headed Household, the processes which women become household heads, Social Economic Background, and Issues of Female-Headed Households. Finally, it has emphasized the Importance of introducing adaptation and mitigation methods and resilient actions to sustain the livelihood of female-headed households, the importance of improving access to employment opportunities and income generation sources to ensure the well-being of female-headed households.

Journal of Vishranthi Sri Lanka, 2018

Main intention of this article is to analyze the importance of Sport for Development (SFD) approa... more Main intention of this article is to analyze the importance of Sport for Development (SFD) approach to achieve development goals in a sustainable and effective manner through stimulating potential powers, capabilities, abilities and skills of society. In order to achieve main objective, specific objectives were designed carefully. They are, identifying the development concept and it is evolution in the global platform, studying concept of sport and conceptual framework of sport for development approach. Literature such as books related to sport and development, reports and research reports, web-publications were used for the analysis and those literature were selected based on purposive sampling method with reference to objectives of the article. This analysis has sub-categorized into three major parts – the concept of development, conceptualization of sport for development approach and importance of application of sport for development approach towards achieving development goals. Finally, it has emphasized the importance of integration of sport in the process of obtaining development objectives because of sport accomplish a greater role of different areas of development such as education, health, economic development, human rights, conflict resolution and preservation of environment through empowering community leadership, skills, latent potentials and strength of people, enhancing involvement of decision making and improving infrastructures to enhance stability of society in a sustainable manner.

Buddhist Approach to Harmonious Families, Healthcare and Sustainable Societies, 2019

Buddhism includes a unique analysis about human psychology and adaptation practices which help to... more Buddhism includes a unique analysis about human psychology and adaptation practices which help to relief of some psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, stress and aggression. Household is a basic unit of the social organization in order to well-function of the society. Although household has been considered as a universal of all social institutions, it can be identified that modern household has undergone significant transformations in its structure in the modern society. Female-Headed Households (FHHs) is a new structural form of household and this type of household has become significant phenomena in both developed and developing countries. According to the most recent Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2016, out of 5.4 million households in Sri Lanka, 1.4 million households or 25.8 percent of the households were female-headed. Main objective of this study was to identify Buddhist adaptation practices of FHHs which are used for psychological adaptation in their transformation situations. The empirical study was conducted in five Grama Niladari Divisions of Galgamuwa Divisional Secretariat division which conveyed a marked increase of FHHs and a highly climate affected rural area in Sri Lanka. Data were collected from a hundred FHHs based on Purposive sampling based on the list of FHHs in Galgamuwa divisional secretariat. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used as primary data collection techniques based on the survey method. As a result of this, majority of women (89%) have mentioned that they have tended to religious adaptation methods such as Shramadana campaigns for religious activities (repairing pagodas, constructing religious buildings etc.) arms giving and pilgrimage rituals to relief from critical stressful circumstances and to negative attitudes regarding life. In contrast, few proportions of FHHs (14%) had mentioned that they have tended to spiritual practices for mental concentration such as observing sil and meditation practices. Based on the findings, it has suggested that spiritual practices for mental concentration and counseling practices related to Buddhism should be promoted to reduce negative impacts of issues related to FHHs and to absorb full potentials of them into development discourse through empowering psychological well-being.

Keywords: Buddhism, Female-Headed Households, Psychological adaptation. Psychological well-being.

EPRA International Journal of Research and Development (IJRD) Research (IJMR) , 2018

Main intention of this article is to analyze the actual situation of issues related to the inform... more Main intention of this article is to analyze the actual situation of issues related to the informal sector livelihood activities of Female-Headed Households, root causes and intensity of issues and interrelationships among those issues in sociological perspective. The empirical study is based on field data and the research was conducted in five Grama Niladari Divisions of Galgamuwa Divisional Secretariat in Sri Lanka. Various issues related to the informal employment among Female-Headed Households in climate affected rural areas in Sri Lanka such as hardships related to agriculture, self-employment, lack of confidence for diversification of livelihood activities, low level of income, tendency of making short-term money transactions with their kin or community members for daily needs, issues related to current programmes have been analyzed through the study. Finally, it has suggested that adaptation and mitigation methods and climate resilient actions should be introduced to sustain the livelihood of FHHs and also, to absorb full potentials of them into development discourse through empowering capacities, skills, and strengths.

A REVIEW OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE RELATED TO THE TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE IN SRI LANKA , 2018

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research ISSN 2348-3164 (online), 2018

Main intention of this article is to analyze the operational patterns of Non-Governmental Organiz... more Main intention of this article is to analyze the operational patterns of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the process of livelihood empowerment in community development and to study about the effects of programmes which have been implemented by NGOs for the uplifting sustainability of standards of living of the people. This is an empirical study which was conducted in a rural area in Sri Lanka based on survey method and functional method. Data have been collected based on questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and observations. Mainly using empirical data, the author have further analyzed the main operational fields of NGOs, their techniques and programmes related to enhance the stability of livelihood activities and income generating process. Based on findings, it has suggested some recommendations regarding government and NGOs' interventions to achieve true sense of community development objectives in a sustainable manner.

American Research Journal of Humanities Social Science (ARJHSS) , 2019

Main intention of this article is to analyze the effectiveness of peace building programs of Non-... more Main intention of this article is to analyze the effectiveness of peace building programs of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for achieving sustainable peace in order to creating or empowering an effective future sustainable mechanism in Sri Lanka with special reference to after the violence incidence between Muslim and Sinhalese Buddhists in the town of Dharga, Beruwala, Aluthgama in Kalutara district in the June 2014.This empirical study was conducted in Beruwala Divisional Secretariat division in Sri Lanka based on survey method and functional method. Data have been collected from 20 persons based on semi-structured interviews and observations. The sample was selected based on purposive sampling method Mainly using empirical data, the authors have further analyzed the main the weaknesses, and strengths of peace building process to enhance the sustainability of programs. Based on findings, it has suggested some recommendations such as introducing effective community network through Community based organizations, Youth based cultural events and public events, cross community activities and School program in order to raise community awareness and to promote the peace in innovative ways against any kinds of violence.

Conference Presentations by Gayathri Panampitiya

A Study of Social and Health Conditions related to Female-Headed Households in Rural Areas in Sri Lanka, 2019

A Study of Issues related to Empowerment of Female-Headed Households in Rural Areas in Sri Lanka, 2019

4th International Conference on Social Sciences, Univeristy of Kelaniya, 2018

Community development is a significant development strategy which has been discussed in the devel... more Community development is a significant development strategy which has been discussed in the development discourse to address small social groups in the society. Community development is a social process of where community members come together to take collective action, planning and making decisions to generate solutions to common problems. But, it is not a sole effort of the community and government intervention is significant to provide and improve structural resources and infrastructure facilities in the process of community development. Government often get provision for that through foreign aids and foreign loans. In this matter, it is essential alternative institutional interventions in the development process and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are one of significant alternative intervention in the modern scenario of development path. NGOs have efficient administrative structure and specialized skills and strategies to closely work with the community. Therefore, it is important to identify contribution of NGOs in the community development process. Accordingly, this study mainly intended to identify operational patterns of NGOs in the process of community development and to study about the effects of programmes which launch by NGOs for the uplifting sustainability of standards of living of the people. Survey method and functional methods were used to investigate operational patterns and effects of community development programmes of NGOs. The empirical study was conducted in two Grama Niladari Divisions of Nawagaththegama Divisional Secretariat Division in Sri Lanka. Data were collected from 50 households based on purposive sampling. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and observation were used as primary data collection techniques. Programmes related to livelihood health and nutrition, education and empowerment and also community effects of them and relationship between government and NGO sector for implementing those programmes have been analyzed critically through this study. Based on the findings, it has suggested that programmes related to empower human potentials and skills to sustain livelihood of people are significant to introduce rather than focusing social welfare and effective integrated approach between state and NGO sector is important in order to absorb full potentials of community members into development discourse through empowering capacities, skills, and strengths.