Just saw some amazing news coming out of Sri Lanka . On June 16,the Social Scientists’ Association (SSA) launched Kumari Jayawardena Feminist Archive and honestly,this feels like such a huge moment. It was on her 95th birthday also,which makes it even more special.
For anyone who doesn't know,Dr. Jayawardena is basically one of South Asia’s most important feminist scholars . Her work on labour,ethnicity,and women's history is world-famous.
And her 1986 book,Feminism and Nationalism in the Third World,is classic . It really shaped feminist movements not just in Sri Lanka but all over region .
The launch event in Colombo was clearly a big deal . Even Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga were there. That shows the level of respect she commands .
And tbh,this is the kind of initiative we need more of.
The archive itself is meant to collect all her work,from academic papers to activist writings . Right now it has over 250 items,but they want more people to contribute. Crystal Baines from SSA said it's still evolving,so it's living project.
Few key things about this archive:
- It's a work in progress,starting with over 250 curated items and growing with community help.
- It highlights Dr. Jayawardena’s pioneering role in documenting feminist movements in Sri Lanka and South Asia.
- The initiative is supported by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation,which wants to preserve these important voices.
Ritu Menon,who co-founded India’s first feminist press,called Dr . Jayawardena a “beacon across South Asia” . And that’s so true,she inspired so many collaborations between feminists in different countries .
What’s really striking is what Chulani Kodikara from the archive's steering committee said . She noted that Dr. Jayawardena was talking about intersectionality long before it became a popular term,saying, “She highlighted the narratives of the historically marginalized.” That’s some next-level thinking ah.
And it wasn't just academic work . Her home was apparently a refuge for activists during difficult times in Sri Lanka’s history. She was truly living her principles .
This whole thing isn't just about celebrating one person,it’s about preserving a whole history of struggle and thought . Makes you wonder how many other histories are out there,just waiting to be collected and shared…
