Voices Unheard” Workshop: A Step Towards Empathy, Understanding, and Change

As part of a broader outreach initiative aimed at bridging the gap between academia and marginalized communities, the “Voices Unheard” Workshop was held on 19th December 2024, offering psychology undergraduates a rare and powerful opportunity to engage with the lived realities of Sri Lankan street-based sex workers. Organized under the Minds in Motion Outreach Project, the session served as a transformative educational experience, focused on deepening awareness of gender-based discrimination, legal frameworks, and the mental health needs of vulnerable populations.

The session was facilitated by three lawyers from the Diversity and Solidarity Trust (DAST), a leading organization advocating for the rights and dignity of marginalized groups in Sri Lanka. These legal professionals unpacked the complex intersections of law, policy, and human rights, highlighting how existing legal structures can sometimes be misused to discriminate against street-based sex workers, thereby perpetuating cycles of stigma, abuse, and institutional neglect. They further emphasized the importance for future psychologists to understand these legal and social dynamics, as such hardships often lead to serious mental health consequences for affected individuals.

In addition to the legal perspective, the workshop was powerfully enriched by firsthand testimonies from individuals with lived experience in sex work. These courageous individuals spoke openly about the violence, marginalization, and trauma they had endured, as well as their ongoing struggle for dignity, safety, and social acceptance. Their stories challenged preconceived notions and illuminated the urgent need for inclusive mental health support systems and compassionate, rights-based social policies.

The primary objectives of the workshop were clear: to foster empathy, build awareness of gender differences and social vulnerabilities, and promote sensitivity among future psychology professionals. By confronting students with real-world issues of structural inequality, policy gaps, and human resilience, the session offered an invaluable supplement to traditional academic learning.

The “Voices Unheard” Workshop stands as a testament to the power of lived experience and interdisciplinary collaboration. It not only amplified the voices of those often silenced by society but also empowered students to think critically about their future roles in shaping a more just, inclusive, and compassionate mental health landscape.