Laws exist, people unaware - Minister
Nadira Gunatillele
|
First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa presents an award to the sister
of Hasalaka Hero Corporal Gamini Kularatne during the
International Women’s Day celebration held at the Nawarangahala,
Colombo yesterday while Child Development and Women’s
Empowerment Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena and Ministry Secretary
M. Sumanadasa look on. The award was originally awarded to
Corporal Gamini Kularatne’s mother Y.G. Juliet. Picture by
Samatha Weerasiri |
Sri Lanka has adequate laws to protect women but most do not know
that there are laws to protect them, Child Development and Women’s
Empowerment Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena said.
“Some judicial and enforcement officers do not know that relevant
laws exist. Under the ‘Domestic violence Act No.35, 2005’ even a husband
cannot force his wife to have sex,” she said.
Minister Jayasena was addressing the International Women’s Day
celebration at the Nawarangahala, Colombo yesterday. She said that since
even some sections of the judiciary are not aware of the Domestic
Violence Act, her Ministry has made arrangements to educate them and the
law enforcement officers on new laws available to ensure the safety of
women.
Apart from that, requests have been made to allocate 30 per cent of
seats for women in Parliament, Provincial Councils and other
administrative bodies.
Most other countries have this system for a long time and women
represents over 52 per cent of the Sri Lanka’s total population.
According to Minister Jayasena strict laws are not adequate to
protect women. “A drastic change in the attitudes of the society is also
required. The Sri Lankan society is full of this ‘Mind own business’
attitude which is not healthy for women. This is one of the main weak
points of the present Sri Lankan society. There is a significant
destruction of social ethics and morals in the society,” she said.
According to various media reports it is obvious that violence
against women in Sri Lanka is on the rise.
| *At least 60
per cent of all women in Sri Lanka have experienced domestic
violence, the Gender-Based Violence Forum (GBV Forum) said in
November 2008.
* The GBV Forum states, the
number of reported incidents had been increasing.
* Violence, especially domestic
and sexual abuse, still tends to remain under-reported due to
various social stigmas.
* In Sri Lanka, the most
prevalent types of violence against women are rape, domestic
violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, forced
prostitution and trafficking,” it said. |
Apart from murder, rape and sexual abuse other forms of violations
take place in public transport. Verbal and mental abuses are also on the
rise. In State universities, female students are abused and harassed in
the name of ragging and some of have even committed suicide and some
become permanently disabled after jumping from top floors to escape
abuse, the minister said.
Under the `Mahinda Chinthana’ several steps have been taken by the
Child Development and Women’s Empowerment Ministry to economically
empower women and ensure their wellbeing and safety. After President
Mahinda Rajapaksa came into power, special attention has been paid for
women’s welfare, the minister added.
First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa presented a special award to Child
Development and Women’s Empowerment Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena to mark
her 20th year in politics.
The First Lady also presented several awards to many outstanding
women in different fields including law, sports, business, cinema,
media, etc. |
