In Nuwara Eliya, the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights (EPF) delegation attended an SRH forum for discussions with health officials and community leaders. Organized at The Golden Ridge Hotel, they received an overview of sexual and reproductive health in estate communities, heard valuable insights from the Medical Officer of Health (MOH), and explored pressing issues related to HIV and STDs within the plantation community. The session also included a discussion on addressing existing gaps and barriers in SRH for the estate community, led by the Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT).

The delegation met with community-based organizations participating in the SGBV Forum to understand how gender-based violence is addressed on the ground.

This included a visit to ‘Mithuru Piyasa’, attached to the General Hospital, a service that helps identify cases of gender-based violence and related issues, ensuring that those who need help are recognized and assessed.

They also engaged with the Nuwara Eliya District Secretary and additional district secretaries, the Director of the District General Hospital, and local tea estate owners, creating space for open, honest dialogue around the unique sexual and reproductive health and rights and justice (SRHRJ) needs of estate and rural communities.

Listening directly to people’s stories offered the parliamentarians a deeper understanding of both the challenges and the opportunities in advancing SRHR across diverse and often underserved settings.