( Leather products and making pillows and carpets with discarded materials),Ms.Jeyaselvam Rajakala ( Dry foods), Ms. Ketheeswaran Sudarshini ( Food production) and Ms. Thrmaratnam Mankaiyatkarai ( dressmaking and animal husbandry) were among the participants along with the representatives of state institutions, non-governmental organization and civil society activists including Ms.S.Thevendram, Additional District Secretary of Jaffna, Mr.M.Jegatheeswaran, Addl.Labour Commissioner, Mr.K. Gopalakrishnan, Co-ordinating Manager of Palmirah Development Board, Dr. (Ms) Kosalai, Attorney at Law and lecturer in the Law Faculty of Jaffna University and around 90 ladies who are the heads of various women organizations were present at the discussions. Challenges and Constraints    Some among these women were widows who function as chief occupants in their families. It was stated that some of these women were contemplating suicide at the time of their husbands’ demise. Under such circumstances, they had doubts about being successful in their lives. However, they were able to stand on their own by engaging in vocations they are familiar with, but it still pauses a challenge. They are experiencing difficulties in taking their produces to the market since they have been compelled to attend to their day to day activities without any assistance and purchasers are reluctant to purchase locally produced good. Views /response of state officials and representatives of civil organizations.  Civil Organizations indicated their ability to provide opportunities and financial aid to the needy women. 2.1.9. Kandy Regional Office Introduction The commemoration of International Women’s Day organized by the Kandy Regional Office of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka was held on 08 March 2017 in Keppetipola Auditorium in Kandy. Participants Women engaged in informal economic sector, state and non-governmental organization, civil society activists and members of women’s organizations 24 24