COLOMBO – Applications are now open for Digital Equity SL: AI training workshops for women journalists, civil society actors and policy makers, being organised by South Asian Women in Media – Sri Lanka (SAWM-SL) in partnership with the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) and the Jaffna Press Club (JPC),
Scheduled to be held in October-November in Colombo, Jaffna, Kandy and Puttalam, the in-person full-day workshops in Sinhala, Tamil and English, with online follow-ups, seek to equip participants with critical dual capabilities: leverage AI to enhance reporting and related work whilst developing robust defences against its weaponisation.
The trainings will combine theory with hands-on practice, covering foundational concepts of AI, practical AI tools, recognising and countering technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), digital safety, data protection, the ethical use of AI, and the use of AI for advocacy, providing participants with the practical skills to use AI tools ethically, recognise AI-driven threats, and implement digital safety protocols.
The workshops will be conducted by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa, an international authority on influence operations, disinformation and digital safety.
“This initiative ensures women journalists, rights advocates and policy people have both the technical fluency to lead in modern newsrooms, advocacy programs and the tools to protect themselves in an evolving digital space,” said Sharmini Boyle, Program Lead and Trustee, SAWM Sri Lanka.
Interested applicants from media houses including freelancers, civil society organizations and local government bodies are invited to apply via https://www.sawmsrilanka.org/ai-training-2026 before 15 September 2026.
As each workshop will be limited to 25 participants, early applications are encouraged.
Workshop Schedule:
-13 October 2026 — Colombo (Sinhala)
-20 October 2026 — Jaffna (Tamil)
-27 October 2026 — Kandy (Sinhala)
-3 November 2026 — Puttalam (Sinhala/Tamil)
-10 November 2026 — Colombo (English)
The workshops are part of the ‘Digital Equity SL: Responsible AI Empowering Women, Media and Civil Society – AI Literacy Workshops for Women Journalists, Civil Society Actors and Policy Makers’ program supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).
About SAWM Sri Lanka
Established in 2009, the South Asian Women in Media Sri Lanka Chapter is an independent, non-partisan network dedicated to advocating for press freedom, gender equality in newsrooms, and the professional advancement of women journalists across the country.
For more information contact sawmsrilanka@gmail.com
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