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Violence can and must be prevented - Dr. Tun, WHO Res. Rep.

The public health community should act together to tackle violence as a developmental issue. With the community commitment and acknowledgement of violence as a public health problem, we can contribute significantly to building a non-violent, healthy and just society said Dr. Kan Tun, Resident Representative in Sri Lanka of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

He was speaking at the official launching of the WHO "World Report of Violence and Health" held at the Hotel Lanka Oberoi, Colombo on Monday.

Earlier Dr. Kan Tun handed over the first copy of the report to Mass Communication Minister Imthiaz Bakeer Markar who was the chief guest.

Dr. Kan Tun said Globally 1.6 million people die from violence each year. Violence is among the leading causes of death for men and women in the age group of 15 to 44 years worldwide.

He said Sri Lanka recorded an alarming rate of suicides among the countries in this region. Violent conflicts in society have taken toll of several thousands of lives and made hundreds of thousands homeless. Where there is violence, health is seriously compromised.

Dr. Tun said that during the past several decades strong public efforts and successful health programmes had brought about a dramatic reduction in infant mortality rates. But having saved children from early death it is equally important for us to protect them at all stages of their lives from violence and cruelty, which could cloud their lives physically, psychologically and socially.

He also noted that thousands of women were being sold for prostitution in this region. HIV/AIDS would ruin the lives of most of those women apart from the cruelty and violence prevalent in this human trade.

Dr. Tun said 4 to 6 percent of the elderly people experienced some form of abuse at home which was both unfortunate and against our traditional values.

He said violence had a serious health implication on the people affected by it. Children who are victims of violence go through a process of development that often leads to maladjustment in society. Similarly people who suffer violence, cannot provide optimal care to their children, and resultantly cannot contribute optimally to social development.

Dr. Tun said, because violence is so pervasive, it is often accepted as an inevitable part of the human life. There is absolute need to change this attitude and sensitize the communities of the ill-effects of violence on the society as a whole. Violence can and must be prevented."

He said "in order to move to a peaceful society from one that is becoming increasingly violent, joint action among international agencies, the government civil society and interested individuals is needed. Together, we will win this battle, for a world without violence, a region without violence and a community without violence."

Dr. Tun said "violence prevention will be one of the core agenda of WHO's public health actions. Therefore, we urge the public health community to act together to tackle violence as a developmental issue.

With the community commitment and acknowledgement of violence as a public health problem, we can contribute significantly to building a non-violent, healthy and just society.

Minister of Mass Communication, Imthiasz Bakeer Markar, Chairman, National Child Protection Authority Prof. Harendra de Silva and Prof. Savithri Gunasekara also addressed the gathering.

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