Sri Lanka, Oct. 5 -- The title of this convening, 'Amplifying the Voices of Women', is appropriate, but it is also cause for consternation. The title is appropriate because we are living in a time in history when globally, the progress made on gender equality is being reversed, and women are being erased from public life, and their rights and voices are being restricted through overt and covert means. Overtly, legal restrictions, policies and programs are actively excluding, discriminating and silencing women. Covertly, tools such as social media are being used to perpetrate violence against women and influence women to reject public life, a career and aspirations that extend beyond the home and domestic duties. You may have heard of the ...