During the past decade ISD had conducted a number of awareness - raising programmes  to promote women’s leadership in the plantation sector. As a result of it. some have become grass root level trade union leaders in their respected trade unions.trade unions.

A joint demonstration was held with civil organizations including trade unions on the International Human Right Day to demand the human rights of the plantation  people. Demonstrations  were held in Colombo and Hatton demanding Citizenship right to the stateless people of the plantation community and other rights.

The totally illiterate women of the Kobanilla, Frotoft, Rangala, Gonawala, Delta and Cottaganga estates become literate and learn to sign their name when they draw their salary. The newly literate Nagaratnam of Maymally division told that she was very proud now when she signed to draw her salary. 

The people of Indian – Origin Hill country Tamils who were brought to Sri Lanka by the British during the colonial period were deprived of Citizenship rights since 1948 with the introduction of the Citizenship Act. However, later a number of Parliamentary acts were brought in to solve this problem.