Can the Shrine to Our Lady of Madhu Promote a Secure Peace for Women in Post-War Sri Lanka?

he Shrine to Our Lady of Madhu has served as a place of refuge and hope for all affected by the Sri Lankan civil war and its aftermath. Both Christians and non-Christians alike, of all ethnicities, have made the pilgrimage to Madhu to pray for peace, reconciliation, and to seek Mary’s protection and consolation. Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist devotees, irrespective of racial and religious differences, are attracted to the Madhu shrine and Mary as a “holy Mother” and source of peace and unity. Although the shrine has demonstrated relevance and success as a site of peacebuilding, it has not fully lived up to its potential for addressing the unique challenges for women, during and after the conflict. This article describes how the shrine to Our Lady of Madhu has clearly contributed to interreligious peacebuilding but could be more effective in promoting Women, Peace, and Security principles. It specifically examines the shrine’s shortfalls, and potential areas for improvement, related to sexual violence, trauma recovery, and women’s leadership in peacebuilding.