Archives

Complaints from women in distress on the increase

by Nadira Gunatilleke

The special Complaints Centre for Women set up by the Women's Affairs Ministry to help women in distress has received 853 complaints up to September 2002 and about 100 complaints during the past few months. Most of these complaints are on employment related problems, Legal Officer Women's Complaints Centre, P. Pathiranage told the Daily News yesterday.

Mr. Pathiranage said that according to the complaints received, the second burning issue was obtaining maintenance and the problems related to divorce cases. Sexual harassment and other complaints were the third most frequent issue. The total number of complaints received in 2001 was 793 while 856 complaints were received in 2000. "The centre was set up in 1999 and then we received only 10 to 12 complaints but now we receive hundreds of complaints within a few months. This indicates that there is a significant increase in awareness among women about our service", he said.

"We directed the problems to the relevant institutions. Women in distress can obtain the services of this centre free of charge. The centre offers a host of services including free legal advice. Complaints relating to all kinds of injustice, abuse, violence and harassment will be entertained by this centre", he added.

The confidentiality of complainants will be strictly maintained. If there is no response from the centre within three weeks from the date of complaint the complainant should inquire from the legal officer attached to the centre. The centre is located at No. 177, Nawala Road, Narahenpita, Colombo 5.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager