Two Bills for women's safety and well-being

by Nadira Gunatilleke

Two important Bills will be brought forward to ensure the safety and well-being of Lankan women who represent more than half (52%) of the country's population.

The Violence Against Women Bill on which discussions are now going on will come first, Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Sitha Rajapaksa told the `Daily News' yesterday.

During the discussions some non governmental organisations had stressed the importance of bringing in the Bill as it is, to ensure safety of women who are abused by husbands and to put an end to the endless suffering of women who face domestic violence.

Some other individuals and groups pointed out the importance of giving a chance to families to reach a compromise through the mediation boards and seek a way to conciliate.

They had expressed their concern over break up of families. But according to the details revealed during discussions, only about 15 complaints out of 75 had been solved by the mediation boards.

According to Rajapaksa, the Bill will not be clashed with the traditional Lankan culture, social values, morals or lifestyle. The Bill will not cause any problems within the families or it will not encourage to dissolve nuclear families. The Bill will support to save women who severely suffer.

The Chairperson of the National Committee on Women Ms. Swarna Suanasekara said that the Women's Rights Bill which creates fully fledged Women's Commission with ample legal powers will also be brought into parliament soon.