LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR

Dear Reader,

This April, as we mark a series of religious and cultural celebrations across our communities, many of us may find ourselves in the company of family both chosen and inherited. Heritage and tradition often shape the way we mark special occasions like these, typically with observances first introduced to us by the women in our lives. So, this month, we ponder the legacies that women build, trace our lineage by our mothers and mother-figures, and consider the mark we want to leave in the world.

Join us as we unpack what we've inherited from the women who came before us, walk in the faltering footsteps of mothers and daughters of varied ages and circumstances, and ponder what it means to 'mother', in the here and now.

Needless to say, there is a great deal more to kinship and inheritance than mere biology, and the media we highlight this month tries to reflect the vast range of factors that together make up our matrilineage. They also lean in to the belief that mothers aren't all-knowing or correct without fail, and so we invite you to cultivate empathy for the constant improvisation and second-guessing that women building legacies in a man's world must perform.

As always, we wish you happy reading, and look forward to your thoughts and feedback at [email protected]!

In solidarity,
Chathuni Uduwela
Guest Editor - 2025 Issue II

NARRATIVE READING LIST
ON COOKING: AGENCY,
RESISTANCE, COMMUNITY

In our most recent reading list, Thadini reflects on what it truly means to be a woman in the kitchen, especially as someone who has had the privilege of finding joy in cooking. Yet, having watched her Amma, Achchi, and countless other women navigate the kitchen, she see how deeply this space is entangled with patriarchal expectations. And yet, within it lies the potential for both resistance and reclamation.

Can women find agency through cooking? The answer is complex, as cooking is inextricably connected to the socio-political and economic realities of existing within a patriarchal system of oppression. Reclaiming agency and finding joy and pleasure through cooking can’t be truly understood without reflecting on the gendered expectations imposed on women. The stories and resources referred to here attempt to grapple with this layered relationship women have with cooking.

Read the full reading list here!

COMMISSION ON THE
STATUS OF WOMEN
(CSW69)

Sharanya, co-founder and senior advisor at Everystory Sri Lanka, represented the us at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69)—one of the world’s most significant gatherings focused on gender equality and women's rights—held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

CSW, a functional commission under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), plays a critical role in setting global policy standards, monitoring member states’ progress—including Sri Lanka—and fostering collaboration with civil society and international NGOs. Sharanya spoke at several side events, reconnected with long-time collaborators, built new relationships, and amplified the voices of young South Asian women from the Global South—voices often underrepresented in these spaces.

We're very excited to see old friends, make new friends, connect with women from across the world, and also critically acknowledge the barriers many women faced in accessing CSW—from the high cost of being in New York to the difficulties of securing visas on short notice, especially when funding came through late. Emphasizing the importance of holding space for those who couldn’t attend and advocating for more inclusive and equitable participation in global conversations on women’s rights.

EXHIBITION ON
NARRATIVES OF
MUSLIM WOMEN

This exhibition brings together the works of Muslim artists who explore the experiences of Sri Lankan Muslim women through different lenses. They delve into the weight of Muslim women and girls' lived experiences—the burdens carried, the resilience forged, struggles endured, and build identities beyond what is imposed.

The exhibition reflects on the mentions of women in Islam—recognizing their past influence while highlighting the challenges they face today. As the Quran states:

At its core, this exhibition provides a safe space for women to reclaim and redefine their identities beyond inherited or assigned roles. It invites Muslim women from the local community to witness these images and stories, and reflect on their own experiences.

Await more details to be released soon!

THIS MONTH
WE’RE READING

Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon

Perhaps the greatest chronicle of our matrilineage is etched on our person.

In her sweeping narration of evolutionary history, American scientist Cat Bohannon casts new light on the female body and its role in driving human progress. Using nine foremothers of contemporary humans spread across the past 200 million years, Bohannon’s presents a ‘user’s manual for the female mammal’: providing the latest answers to women’s most basic questions about their bodies.

Eve is an immersive anthro-biological read, and in 2024 was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for non-fiction.

THIS MONTH
WE’RE WATCHING

The Persian Version

The Persian Version follows an Iranian American mother-daughter duo and traces the constant tug-o-war that appears to characterise their relationship with each other. The daughter, Leila, has taken an unconventional route to motherhood that Leila’s mother Shireen appears to strongly disapprove of. The reasons for her disapproval go far back - to Shireen’s youth in Iran, well before Leila was born. To overcome the seemingly insurmountable differences between her and her mother, Leila must understand her mother’s journey as a young wife and a struggling immigrant businesswoman.

The Persian Version is a quirky, humorous, and eventually feel-good film about mothers, daughters, and the impact of the choices they make, across generations.

THIS MONTH 
WE’RE DOING 

We’re in conversation with Sav Perera on the intersections of cooking, feminism, and community-building as she reflects on her relationship with cooking throughout her journey and its power to bring people together.

Registrations are closed, email [email protected] to be waitlisted!

OPPORTUNITIES

Writers from around the world are invited to submit their scripts for the 29th International Audio Drama Competition hosted by BBC World Service and the British Council. To submit your entry, click here or visit the Competition website.

Deadline: 4 June 2025

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