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Latest weapon to combat violence against women

by Nadira Gunatilleke

A Women's Complaint Centre and several `Counselling Centres' have been set up by the Development, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the North, Rural Housing Development and Women's Affairs Ministry to combat violence against women. At present about eight counselling centres operate countrywide, the Legal officer, Women's Complaint Centre, P.Pathiranage said.

The main complaint centre, located at the Women's Affairs Ministry commenced in 1999 and about ten complaints were received at that time. Now the women's knowledge regarding this centre and the counselling centres is improved and about 200 women seek assistance at this centre and usually about 100 complaints are received from all parts of the country per month.

The complaint centre received a much less number of complaints during April and other festive seasons while the number of complaints increase during some special months such as during election campaigns, he added.

Counselling centres have been set up countrywide including Katunayake Free Trade Zone, Koggala Free Trade Zone, Biyagama Free Trade Zone, Ratmalana, Rathnapura and at the Ministry premises.

According to Ministry officials the main objective of setting up this complaint centre and the counselling centres is assisting needy and helpless women who have become victims of domestic violence and all kinds of harassment.

The centre offers several services for women. Sri Lankan women face various kinds of problems, such as injustice caused by preventing themfrom employment opportunities in specific fields and promotions, not receiving privileges such as educational training and vocational training, harassment (physical, mental, sexual), domestic violence and sexual abuse due to their gender.

The complaint centre offers services free of charge. Women can obtain legal advice free of charge from the centre. Complaints related to all kinds of injustice, abuse, violence and harassment that have occurred due to being a woman will be accepted by this centre. The centre also accepts complaints related to violation of rights secured by the Women's Charter.

Complaints related to domestic violence, health, lands and properties, inheritance and maintenance are also accepted by this centre. After accepting the complaints, the centre directs them to NGOs and relevant persons in order to investigate those complaints and provide solutions for them.

The centre also acts as a peacemaker when necessary.

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