- Elevate Film Festival held at the South Eastern University
Addressing students and university academics at the Elevate Film Festival on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and cyber gender-based violence (CGBV), University Grants Commission (UGC) Centre for Gender Equity/Equality Director Prof. Prabha Manuratne emphasised: “Love is not about power over one another; it is about dignity, equality, the absence of violence, and mutual respect.”
She highlighted that without mutual respect for diversity, no meaningful relationship can thrive and that embracing and respecting diversity are core values essential for promoting SRHR and for creating a peaceful learning environment for all students, regardless of gender differences.
The screening of 10 short films on SRHR and preventing CGBV against girls, produced by female undergraduates from state universities, was held at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka recently. This event was organised by the university administration and its Centre for Gender Equity/Equality, under the leadership of its Director Dr. A.W.N. Naleefa. The event was also graced by Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. U.L.A. Majeed as the chief guest.
The screening sparked a productive discussion about various SRHR and CGBV issues that are particularly relevant to undergraduates.
Power dynamics and diversity
During the event, Prof. Manuratne highlighted how power dynamics and a lack of engagement with the strength of diversity affect the creation of a healthy learning environment for young people. In her speech, she stated: “First, these films largely address the culture of violence that exists in relationships among young people at universities. Second, there is a strong need to create discussions around diversity. I believe the primary issue is that young people often fail to appreciate the beauty of diversity. As undergraduates, we must understand that not only in our universities but also in other state universities, we have students from diverse backgrounds. These backgrounds vary in culture, religion, ethnicity, gender, financial status, and more.”
“It is crucial to recognise that no one is superior or inferior based on these factors. The differences we bring from our unique backgrounds contribute to what makes us, as young people of Sri Lanka, special. We must also acknowledge that people bring different abilities, skills, interests, social backgrounds, and experiences. None of these are superior or inferior. This is the beauty of diversity – it is our strength, not our weakness. We must always understand that people are diverse, and this diversity is what makes us beautiful,” she added.
Prof. Manuratne spoke about diversity being a constant reality. “In universities, for example, we have people who speak different languages. The more languages you speak, the more open you are to diversity. When you open yourself to more diversity, the world becomes a wonderful place. You will become more tolerant of differences, more flexible, and the world will seem broader. When you know multiple languages, your world expands.”
She explained: “What is important is to reflect on why we are different and how these differences make us a stronger community. The failure to understand the beauty of differences is the root cause of many problems, including the culture of violence within university systems. We must recognise this problem. As young people, we need to realise that we do not live in isolation but in a global world. No young person – whether female or male, or someone from any other gender group – should be subjected to violence simply because they are different.”
Prof. Manuratne went on to say that understanding diversity does not give anyone the right to exert excessive power over others. “We should never control our friends, those in relationships, or our peers in academic settings. Diversity should never be used as a tool for power or control,” she explained.
Diversity within the university
According to Prof. Manurate, the UGC and the Centre for Gender Equity/Equality are responsible for all students, regardless of their backgrounds. “We have students who have fluid gender identities, students who face financial difficulties, and students from minority groups within the university environment,” Prof. Manuratne added.
She stressed that there is no minority in this environment. Every student is equal, and no one should control another person within a relationship. Relationships should be founded on mutual understanding and respect. They should be governed by a culture of love. Real love cannot exist in a relationship characterised by violence or control. It is about respecting each other’s autonomy and independence.
We must reflect on the types of relationships and love we foster in university. University relationships, whether familial or romantic, should be governed by understanding, respect, and tolerance, not control. Universities empower young people, irrespective of their backgrounds. In the name of ragging or any other practice, we must never control or diminish the power of others. Everyone is intellectually rich, and we must respect that.
When we fail to respect each other, embrace diversity, and tolerate differences, we miss the point. Diversity means nothing unless we respect people’s differences and their right to live authentically. This respect is fundamental to sexual and reproductive health rights. It is natural to have different desires, to love, and to experience sexual feelings. However, this should never be accompanied by power, control, or force. We cannot impose our sexual desires on anyone. We cannot control someone in a relationship under the guise of natural desire. We are all responsible for our actions, and no one – whether female or male – should be subjected to control or violence.
Prof. Manuratne firmly stated that no one, regardless of gender identity, should experience sexual violence or harassment, acknowledging sexual and reproductive health rights as a fundamental right for everyone, essential to promoting respect and healthy relationships. Respect for autonomy in relationships is crucial. When one forces another into sex or any other act using power, it is unacceptable. Violence and power are never about love.
“Finally, I would like to stress that universities must also take responsibility. They must teach respect, foster a culture of nonviolence, and cultivate love, understanding, and tolerance for diversity. Universities should engage deeply with diversity and create a community of intellectuals who embrace and celebrate it within the university system,” she said.
Awareness through film
Nearly 400 graduates attended the film screening on SRHR as part of the Elevate programme at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. After the screening of the 10 films, senior academics from the university discussed key sexual and reproductive health issues in the context of the films.
Department of Sociology Head Prof. S.M. Ayoob, who chaired the session, emphasised that girls, often labeled the ‘weaker sex’, are equally powerful as people of any gender identity. He pointed out that while the digital world provides numerous educational opportunities, it also presents challenges, especially for vulnerable individuals, particularly girls. He stressed the importance of understanding how to navigate the digital space without experiencing sexual or gender-based violence.
Dr. Naleefa discussed how the 10 films in the Elevate programme were highly relevant to the lives of young undergraduates. She addressed the stigma, stereotyping, and culture of suspicion directed at girls in public spaces, which makes it difficult for them to assert themselves. She urged the young graduates to respect the autonomy of every individual, allowing people to express themselves freely. In relationships, she stressed that individuals should have the courage to say yes to what is acceptable and no to what is unacceptable, including any form of violence or control. Dr. Naleefa emphasised that all young people share similar feelings, expressions, and biological pleasures, and that no one is superior or inferior based on gender.
At the Elevate Film Festival, Dr. S. Anushya, senior lecturer in history, highlighted the importance of addressing sexuality with young people in a respectful, non-judgmental way. She stated that safe sex education should start in schools, and by the time young people reach university, they should have a clear understanding of sex and gender. This knowledge fosters a culture of respect for all individuals. She also pointed out the systemic issue of violence against women, noting that women, particularly young women, disproportionately experience violence and are not always treated equally. Women’s autonomy and feelings must be respected.
Dr. A.L.M. Ayoobkhan further added that South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, with its 8,256 students, addresses issues that are relevant to all students at the university.
Responding to the discussion, one participant noted that topics such as sexuality, menstruation, and relationships are often seen as shameful, but that we must have the courage to discuss them openly, as there is no shame in understanding these matters.
Futureworld is the company that provided iPhones to produce 25 films on SRHR for the Elevate programme. Its General Manager Ramesh Da Silva, speaking at the event, acknowledged that while Futureworld comes from a corporate background, the films produced by the girls in the Elevate programme have transformed their thinking about the development of young people in academic settings. He concluded by stating that this experience has led to a transformation within the company, which is now committed to supporting young people for a better future.
(The writer is a media researcher, lecturer, and trainer. He is also a founder member of International Foundation for Digital Child)
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication