The British Council and International Women’s Day: Creating opportunities, celebrating success, and advocating for lasting change

The British Council has long recognised the need to create opportunities and an enabling environment for empowerment – especially in its role in bringing about parity in education. Through its broad range of programmes that focus on the development of women and girls in particular, the British Council is bringing gender equality to the classrooms, while concurrently bridging the gap of workplace opportunities in a fast-paced and ever-changing digital landscape.

One such initiative is the British Council’s English and Digital for Girls Education (EDGE) non-formal girls' education programme, implemented in collaboration with partner organisations in Sri Lanka.

“The objective of EDGE is to enhance the life prospects of adolescent girls in socio-economically marginalised communities,” says Orlando Edwards, Country Director of the British Council Sri Lanka, about the programme. “It does so by enhancing young women’s and girls’ English proficiency, digital literacy, self-confidence, and social awareness.”

Since its inception in 2023, EDGE has reached over 1,200 young women and girls aged between 13 and 19 through 90 peer group leaders in 5 districts in Sri Lanka. This initiative, built on the principles of inclusivity and local collaboration, stands as a beacon of hope for future generations of girls, proving that education is not just a right but a powerful force for change.

The British Council however, is committed to being a partner for women and girls in fulfilling their potential at every stage of their educational journey. As the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, the British Council in Sri Lanka teaches over 4,000 students (from Young Learners to Adults) English each year at its teaching centres.

Having conducted research specifically to identify the factors that enable or hinder progress for women and girls in the country, the organisation’s ‘Next Generation: What we know on women and girls’ report released in 2024 showed that women in Sri Lanka have higher aspirations compared to the previous generation, and are increasingly assertive in pursuing education beyond high school - partly motivated by the desire to migrate elsewhere after attaining educational and professional qualifications. “To address this, the British Council currently delivers 107,000 world-class UK qualifications a year across 43 cities in collaboration with 532 partners: this includes school, university, and professional qualifications. This means women and girls can easily access qualifications that will unlock global opportunities,” adds Mr. Edwards. “For higher studies, we offer numerous scholarships including the Commonwealth that provide opportunities to study for a fully funded master’s degree in the UK. And to ensure women and girls have safe spaces to advance their knowledge and learning, we have three physical libraries in Colombo, Jaffna, and Kandy. Out of approx. 5,000 British Council library members, over 2,000 are female.”

“We also have a digital library that houses premium learning content, including academic journals and research publications that can be accessed across Sri Lanka.”

During his tenure at the British Council Sri Lanka, Mr. Edwards has met with a fair share of inspirational female figures. “One of my most memorable experiences was my first ever meeting with mentors and teachers at the Kandy Regional English Support Centre, with whom we have been working for decades. Their commitment and approach to supporting English language teachers in Central Province impressed me enormously,” he says. “I will also never forget Ridmi Handapangoda; a fully visually impaired academic and an inspiration to other young women breaking barriers. She won a Commonwealth Masters Scholarship to read Language and Linguistics at Lancaster University, UK.”

Dr Joanne Kotelawala, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, first encountered the British Council in 2010, and is one of the many successful women who can testify to the unique opportunities the organisation provides. “As a participant selected for the International Climate Champion programme, I found the British Council to be a place of opportunity for youth,” she reminisces. “The experience with the British Council helped me identify my strengths and the roles have helped me immensely in my career.”

Programmes, research, and education initiatives aside, The British Council in Sri Lanka has ensured that its own women employees too are provided with an inclusive and safe place to work.

Shiroma Benaragama, Head of Library and Information Services testifies to this. ‘‘Working at the British Council for over 30 years has been instrumental in shaping both my professional growth and personal development,” she says. “It has not only enhanced my confidence but also empowered me to stand tall as a woman in the professional world, facing challenges with resilience and determination.’’

In creating opportunities for women and girls to thrive and reach their fullest potential -and not just on International Women’s Day, the British Council is leading the charge in amplifying female voices and advocating for lasting change.

An English and Digital for Girls Education (EDGE) club in session​

A visit to an English and Digital for Girls Education (EDGE) club in Slave Island, Colombo 2​

British Council’s Youth Leadership for Green and Inclusive Businesses project builds non-formal education skills to empower youth to contribute to a greener and inclusive businesses

Engrossed in English and digital skill development

The girls at the English and Digital for Girls Education (EDGE) club have become confident speakers