The Zonta Club II of Colombo, Sri Lanka, convened a landmark program titled “Let’s Talk: Emotional Abuse and Women” to address one of the country’s most widespread yet least discussed forms of violence against women. Emotional abuse, often invisible, erodes dignity, confidence and well-being, making early recognition and response critical.

The initiative brought together professionals who frequently serve as first points of contact for women experiencing abuse, including corporate and bank HR counselors, university and school counselors, motivational speakers, law enforcement officers and members of the clergy. The first segment focused on training these front-line responders to identify, respond to and support women affected by emotional abuse. Family lawyer Shaharana Mowlana led the session, offering practical insights into how emotional abuse manifests in homes, schools and workplaces, and its profound impact on women’s lives.

The program also featured a panel discussion examining emotional and psychological violence from legal, psychological, media and lived-experience perspectives. Moderated by Rasini Bandara, the panel included a leading lawyer, a clinical psychologist, a senior manager for wellness, diversity and inclusion, and a survivor with public visibility. The discussion highlighted gaps in legal protection, mental health support and ethical media practices, while emphasizing trauma-sensitive approaches and collective responsibility in preventing emotional violence.

Beyond education and dialogue, the initiative significantly amplified Zonta’s visibility. Recorded program content reached 17,790 views on Facebook and 42,900 on Instagram. The campaign also received coverage in Lankawoman (online and print) and was featured in national publications, including Daily News and Sunday Ceylon Today, extending the conversation to a broader audience.