Rasanjali Pathirage

Wadduwa Pathirage Rasanjali Priyadarshani (born 29th October 1979) is a Sri Lankan disability activist and advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, particularly women with disabilities, at the national, regional, and global levels. Born with a physical disability, Rasanjali Pathirage has dedicated her life to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
==Education==
Higher Diploma in International Relations - BCIS (Reading)
September 2019: Sufficiency Economy to Sustainable and Disability-Inclusive Development program in Thailand
August 2010: WILD Advanced Leadership Institute program in the USA
August 2008: International Women's Institute on Leadership Training Program in the USA
August 2005 - July 2006: Residential scholarships of the 7th Duskin Leadership Training Program in Tokyo, Japan
2006: Achieved Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 4
1998: G.C.E Advanced Level - Vidiyakara Girls School, Mahragama
1995: G.C.E Ordinary Level - Werahara Kanishta Vidyalaya, Werahera
==Professional Life==
In 2004, Ms. Rasanjali Pathirage joined the Disability Organisations Joint Front as its first employee. They worked for DOJF for nearly 12 years in different positions, actively participating in various projects. In 2016, Ms. Rasanjali Pathirage joined the Association of Persons with Rheumatic Diseases as the Project Implementation Officer and quickly rose to the position of Project Manager within six months.
The Disability Organisations Joint Front (DOJF) has been instrumental in promoting disability rights awareness and education in Sri Lanka. With support from USAID IDEA, DOJF implemented the Disability Right Awareness and Education projects from 2019 to 2021, focusing on six provinces, including the North and East regions.
Rasanjali Pathirage played a key role in overseeing the entire project on behalf of DOJF. As a program facilitator, Pathirage conducted sessions addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka. The project aimed to promote disability inclusion and establish the Disability Right Violation Information Monitoring System and Network. By raising awareness and educating the public about disability rights, DOJF aimed to bring positive change and enhance the well-being and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Ms. Rasanjali Pathirage is a renowned expert with extensive experience in conducting disability-focused Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programs. Notably, Pathirage played a crucial role in the FPA piloting project on GBV in the Western and Southern provinces of Sri Lanka during the 2018-2019 period, with the valuable support of partner organizations. The primary objective of this project was to implement integrated components that catered to the unique needs and capacities of persons with disabilities and their caregivers within the context of GBV. Pathirage and her team focused on developing strategies that addressed the specific challenges faced by persons with disabilities while emphasizing the experiences of women and girls.
Ms. Rasanjali Pathirage has played a significant role as the Secretary General in the collaboration between The National Democratic Institute and the Disability Organisations Joint Front (DOJF) to initiate the project on Inclusive Election Reformation. This joint effort aims to address and tackle accessibility issues faced by marginalized groups in the electoral process in Sri Lanka. As part of the program, DOJF and its sub-cluster members have identified key focus areas, including ensuring physical accessibility to polling stations and enabling marginalized individuals to exercise their right to vote. Additionally, the project aims to improve access to electoral information, considering the specific needs of marginalized communities. Efforts will be made to provide targeted voter education and electoral information to ensure inclusivity.
==Notable Positions==
Ms. Rasanjali Pathirage currently serves as the Honorary Secretary General at DOJF. She previously held the position of President at DOJF from 2019 to 2021, making her the organization's first female President. Additionally, she was appointed by the President of Sri Lanka to serve as a Council Member of National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) for a three-year term.
Ms. Rasanjali Pathirage has also served as the Assistant Secretary of the National Paralympics Committee and as the Former Convener of Disability Inclusive Election Sri Lanka. She has been a Drafting Committee Member for the Disability Rights Bill in Sri Lanka and has represented the Asian region in the Executive Board of the Commonwealth Disability People Forum (CDPF).
In addition, Ms. Rasanjali Pathirage holds the position of Secretary in the February 8th Movement and has been a Drafting Committee Member for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR 2017) and The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEADW 2017). She has also served as the Assistant Secretary at Sri Lanka Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled "Rehab Lanka."
Furthermore, Ms. Rasanjali Pathirage is an Editorial Committee Member of the magazine "Suwa Sandi," published by the Association of Persons with Rheumatic Diseases and the College of Specialists in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation. She is the Country Focal Point for the Women's Network of Disabled People International (DPI).
== International Conference Engagements: Contributing to Global Discourse and Collaboration ==
Rasanjali Pathirage has actively participated in a series of international conferences, contributing to global discourse and collaboration on various critical issues. Her engagements have spanned across different countries and have included key events that shape policy, foster dialogue, and advocate for the rights and empowerment of marginalized communities, particularly persons with disabilities.
2023: The sixty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This session provided a platform for addressing gender equality and women's empowerment at a global level Mrs. Rasanjali Pathirage, Secretary General of DOJF, addressed the UPR-42 Pre-Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on 30th November 2022, representing the disabled community in Sri Lanka. She highlighted the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and advocated for inclusive policies and practices. Her participation contributed to the global dialogue on disability rights.
2022: The 15th session of the Conference of State Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This conference facilitated discussions on the implementation and advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities worldwide.
2019: Delegation representative of Sri Lanka at the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Disability People Forum (CDPF), hosted by the Ford Foundation. This assembly brought together representatives from various Commonwealth countries to discuss disability inclusion and rights.
2019: The 12th session of the Conference of State Parties to the UNCRPD, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This session aimed to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and enhance global cooperation in disability-related matters.
2018: Participation in the Disability Global Summit held in London. This summit provided a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices related to disability inclusion and rights.
2018: Involvement in the "Measurement on Disability" international training program organized by the Washington Group, UNICEF, and the International Disability Alliance (IDA). This program focused on conducting disability-inclusive census and surveys to gather accurate data on disability prevalence and needs.
2018: Attendance at the 11th session of the Universal Periodic Review at Geneva. During this session, Rasanjali Pathirage actively lobbied for the promotion and protection of disability rights in Sri Lanka.
2017: Observer representation at the 10th session of the Conference of State Parties (COSP 10) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This session provided an opportunity to engage in discussions related to the implementation of the UNCRPD and disability-inclusive policies.
2016: Participation and oral intervention at the SOCIAL FORUM held in Geneva. This forum served as a platform for dialogue among civil society representatives, UN Member States, intergovernmental organizations, academics, and other stakeholders. The focus was on promoting and ensuring the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities.
2008: Attendance at the 11th AWID International Forum on Women's Rights and Development, held in South Africa. This forum aimed to advance gender equality and women's rights on a global scale.
ABCDE World Bank Conference: Participation in the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics held in Tokyo. This conference provided a platform for discussing key development issues and exploring innovative approaches to address economic challenges.
Rasanjali Pathirage's active involvement in these international conferences highlights her commitment to global advocacy, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. Her contributions have helped shape policies, promote inclusive practices, and advance the rights of marginalized communities, particularly persons with disabilities, on a global scale.
==Extracurricular Involvement and Achievements==
Rasanjali Pathirage received the prestigious "Diriya Kantha 2007" award on International Women's Day, an event organized by the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare, in recognition of her outstanding contributions.
Throughout her career, Pathirage has actively participated in various international sporting events. In 2002, she represented Sri Lanka in the 8th FESPIC Games held in South Korea, which encompassed the Asia and Pacific region. Her exceptional skills and dedication earned her a silver medal in the javelin event, showcasing her athletic prowess on an international stage
Pathirage's achievements extend beyond the FESPIC Games. She also participated in the Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Competition, where she clinched a gold medal in shot put, demonstrating her exceptional strength and technique. Additionally, she has taken part in the Nagoya Mayors Trophy Wheelchair Marathon, showcasing her endurance and commitment to sports. She is the first female wheelchair tennis player in Sri Lanka
Furthermore, Pathirage has been an active participant in various public sports events since 1991. Her consistent performance and talent have earned her numerous medals and prizes, highlighting her exceptional skills and competitive spirit.
In addition to her sports achievements, Pathirage has contributed significantly to the disability rights movement and advocacy. Her accomplishments as an athlete and disability activist have garnered recognition and admiration, solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the field.
The awards and achievements bestowed upon Rasanjali Pathirage reflect her dedication, talent, and commitment to both sports and disability activism. Her remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to individuals with disabilities and showcases the potential for success and recognition in the face of challenges and barriers.
Category:1979 births
Category:People from Colombo
Category:Sri Lankan people
Category:Sri Lankan disability rights activists
Category:Advocates