Fathers main culprits in child abuse cases

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO:A survey has revealed that out of the children who are abused, fathers are the perpetrators in 45 per cent of the cases, Women’s Empowerment and Child Development Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena said.

She was addressing a workshop on `Disabled women’s rights’ at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo 7 yesterday. Jayasena said when a Cabinet decision was taken preventing women who have children below five from going abroad for employment, she had to face a lot of criticism. The Minister said she had to think about the innocent children’s rights before considering the women’s rights.

The Women’s Empowerment and Child Development Ministry and the Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry are responsible for safeguarding disabled women before they become victims of crimes, abuse or harassments, Jayasena said.

The Minister said State and private sector organisations have implemented several programmes for the welfare of disabled persons and many services are offered to disabled persons through such organisations.

“Conditions that existed in the past have changed and disabled persons have become an active part of the country’s development process,” she said.

Describing services done when she was Social Services and Social Welfare Minister, Jayasena said she was able to telecast news in sign language for the benefit of the deaf.

“I got an opportunity to work for the disabled persons and I consider it as a blessing,” she added.

Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry Secretary V. Jegarasasingam said NGOs receive a large amount of funds from foreign countries and their responsibility is to help the disabled and poor people coordinating with the projects implemented by line ministries according to National Policies.

She said the Sri Lankan society does not equip women with strength and courage required to face life alone in foreign lands.

Some participants described their experiences as disabled women in the society. The workshop was organised by Disability Organisations Joint Front.