Rights activists call for protection of women

Nipuni WIMALAPALA

Women must be protected and provided with confidence to face problems due to suspicious characters who have now created a fear psychosis among women, said Sherine Xavier, a women's rights activist of Women and Media Collective during a press briefing recently.

Fear among women due to suspicious characters is a serious issue and firm solutions must be found to eliminate this, she said.

"Women have faced many problems throughout history. During the war, women suffered and lost many things. Another issue has now broken out. Quick and firm steps must be taken to solve this," she added.

Women and Media Collective Director Dr. Sepali Kottegoda said that authorities must handle this issue seriously with sensitivity as it makes a huge influence on the affected people's lives. Most of the breadwinners are unable to go to work leaving their wives at home due to this problem.

Their lifestyles are affected, Kottegoda said. "People who are at risk must be alert over what is happening around them. Women's organizations have a vital role to play.

People at grassroots level must also be involved in solving this problem," she stressed.

Women who participated at the press briefing shared their fearful experiences in this regard.

They had been attacked by unknown men and subjected to violence.

Women's rights activists Kumuduni Samuel and Rohini Weerasinghe also participated at the press briefing.