Pulse, in collaboration with Aura India have organised a forum in the hopes breaking taboo in the present day.
They hope to spark conversation and change perceptions of certain ‘forbidden’ conversation topics amongst the majority of the Sri Lankan population.
‘In a country that thrives on diversity and differences, many topics of conversation are whispered in hushed tones, swept under the carpet, and never see the light of day, we hope we can bring about an active, and a productive conversation through this forum.’
Taboo 2019 #Breakthetaboo will be held on the 26 of January 2019 at Trace Expert City, Colombo 10.
Commencing from 10:00 a.m onwards, it is an open event with various activities, panel discussions, workshops and demonstrations spearheaded by experts in their fields.
| Topic | Speakers | Time |
| Wrap-it-up: Panel Discussion on Contraception & Pre-marital Sex | · ThusharaAgus, Family Planning Association | 10.00am – 10.30am |
| Sexually Transmitted Diseases & Getting Tested: A Guide | · PrincyMangalika, The Positive Women’s Network
· National STD/AIDS Control Programme
|
10.45pm – 11.15pm |
| Flying The Rainbow Flag: Panel Discussion Homosexuality and Gender Identification | · Brandon Ingram, Actor and Author
· ArithaWickramasinghe, iProbono · Dinesh Chandrasena |
11.30pm – 12.15pm |
| Cyber bullying and The Sri Lankan Nude Photo Culture | · SharanyaSekaram, Grassrooted | 12.30pm – 1.00pm |
| Domestic Violence and Gender Based Violence: Conceptualization & Legal Advice | · HarshanaNanayakkara
· Shevon Fernando |
1.15pm – 1.45pm |
| Ending Corporal Punishment: How and Why | · Dr TushWickramanayaka,stopchildcruelty.com | 2.00pm – 2.45pm |
| Breaking the Taboo around Feminism:A panel discussion | · SelynaPieris, Selyn
· SheshadriKottearachchi, Oxfam Sri Lanka · SharanyaSekaram, Grassrooted |
3.00pm – 3.30pm |
| Not Your Nangi presents Street Harassment Hurts | · NabeelaYasseen, Not Your Nangi | 3.45pm – 4.15pm |
| Boys Will Be Boys: Voices of Humans | · KapilaRasnayaka, Voices of Humans | 4.30pm – 5.00pm |
| Zero-waste Menstruation: Demo & Discussion | · Happy Bleeding by NadeeshaPaulis | 5.15pm – 5.45pm |
| Taking care of your Mental Health: Panel Discussion | · NathaliDevinka, Author
· RanilThilakaratne, CCC Line · NivendraUduman, Footsteps to Freedom |
6.00pm – 6.45pm |
