Dr. Menaka Wimalarathne has bagged Special Women Award

Dr. Menaka Wimalarathne has bagged Special Women Award

• July 15, 2022

I am truly honoured to receive the title of Special Women award under the category of Wonder women awards on a global level with Women Icon awards powered by Times Women. It was such a pleasure to receive the news. I was so excited to see my name within the category of Wonder women’s awards.

I am Menaka Wimalaratne, an allopathic doctor by profession from Sri Lanka. I am the third child in my family, having two elder brothers and a younger sister. I was a single parent-child with lots of responsibilities on my hands as the family’s elder daughter without a mother. Even as a child at eight years of age, I could manage to do household chores with my family. Though it was hard for my family, we overcame our problems. I must thank my beloved father, brothers, and sister for being with me throughout my life and encouraging me to become who I am today.

Since childhood, I have wanted to become a doctor and treat patients. My family sensed my potential and helped me. I was the best student in the science stream in secondary and Sunday school. Apart from my academic achievements in Science, General Knowledge, and Buddhism, I could engage in extracurricular activities during my school days. I was an active member of the School Western Band and the Debate team. After passing out of secondary school, I started earning my expenses. I did extra classes for my juniors and worked as a banking officer until I entered the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Colombo.

After obtaining the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 2012, I started working as a medical officer in Family planning and Venereology, Reproductive health, Sexual medicine, Internal medicine, Outpatient medicine, and Emergency medicine, Judicial medicine, and Histopathology. I implemented a new system to minimize waiting time in the outpatients’ department in a rural hospital when I was working as a medical officer.

Then I entered the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, the University of Colombo, to start my postgraduate training in the specialized field of Internal Medicine. I am waiting to complete my master’s degree in General Medicine shortly. And I have publications in Internal Medicine, Community Medicine, and Genecology. My special interests are diverse from Research in the fields of Internal Medicine, Community Medicine, and Women’s Health. And I am an active member of several social groups which empower women.

I have also worked as a research assistant in The Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka (FPA Sri Lanka, empowered by UNFPA), a non-governmental organization (NGO) that explores innovative and challenging family planning processes in Sri Lanka.

I am a socialist and an activist too. And my special social interests include Gender Equality and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Apart from my professional achievements, I am a mother of three baby girls. I had triplets after expecting for seven years. It was a hard time for me, both physically and mentally. My pregnancy and postpartum period were complicated to the extent that I could have died. Somehow, I got through the most vulnerable period with immense support from my family. Now I am a proud mother of three baby girls at the pinnacle of success. My advice to the women over there is never to give up what you truly believe and don’t underestimate your power as a woman because every woman is an icon in their way.

Note on my interest, cited from UNFPA. “Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations globally. It knows no social, economic, or national boundaries. Worldwide, an estimated one in three women will experience physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime. Gender-based violence undermines its victims' health, dignity, security, and autonomy, yet it remains shrouded in a culture of silence.” So, break the silence, and stay strong as women. And I hope my daughters will have a world free of gender-based violence.

Thank you

Menaka Wimalaratne