Shhhhh

Talk Shows are well received throughout the world.  In Sri Lanka, we have seen several international talk shows where they tackle many controversial subjects, especially the horrifying sad and emotional stories of the average person. Harassment and sexual abuse amongst them. Many day-to-day abuse and harassment are rarely spoken about in Sri Lanka as it is a taboo subject.  Invariably most abuse and harassment are directed towards young children, women and men who are victims of close family, relatives and friends.

It is not spoken about openly over here for the fear of bringing shame upon the immediate family and wider social stigma.  It is commonly known that many suffer their situations in silence, leading them to depression and great unhappiness and where some who cannot cope anymore take their lives.

I applaud Shanuki de Alwis and Shifani Reffai, who have taken a giant step to speak of many issues considered social taboos that women go through in their daily lives in 
Sri Lanka, by creating a platform where women can voice their issues and problems. 

Shanuki has to say the following about her Talk Show:  “Over the years, I have watched Sri Lankan women slowly emerge from their protected cocoons of submissive neutrality to take more interest in the world and shape it for the better, as only women can do. Through my own life, I have discovered the healing magic of being able to use the power of our voice and national sisterhood to impact positive change through shared experiences; if not in the country, at least in each other and our own homes.We are incredibly resourceful, insightful and intuitive creatures. We possess a large capacity for empathy and diplomacy that can be inspirational to others and generations to come. This was my motivation for creating ‘Shhh...’ - Sri Lanka’s very first online talk show for women. I wanted to create a platform where ordinary, everyday women like you and I can come together in a safe space and have tough conversations in an open, honest and meaningful way with each other. My objective is to encourage our audiences to do the same - to not fear having those important discussions simply because society deems them taboo or inappropriate and to be able to discuss differences with dignity and respect.”

Congratulations Shanuki and Shifani and all your guests who have had the courage to talk openly about their personal issues. Shhh – The Talk Show is on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, for those of you who wish to watch this meaningful programme. To me, it is the best Talk Show in Sri Lanka.

“We possess a large capacity for empathy and diplomacy that can be inspirational to others and generations to come. This was my motivation for creating ‘Shhh...’ - Sri Lanka’s very first online talk show for women”