Parliament of Sri Lanka Stands in Solidarity with the Global Movement of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence
“Gender-based violence (GBV)
It has almost become a clichéd term in gender terminology. We have spoken about it over and over again, it has really lost its essence. But, it is not merely a term. It is an utterly bitter reality in the world and in Sri Lanka” said Hon. State Minister of
COVID19 control, Primary Healthcare and Epidemics Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle.
Statistics can only tell a half-truth, but it is worth looking at a few statistics. The Women and Wellbeing Survey 2019 which is the first dedicated national survey on Violence against Women (VAW) in Sri Lanka reports that one in four Sri Lankan women has experienced some kind of physical or sexual violence.
Close to 40 percent of women have undergone physical, sexual, emotional and/or economic violence and/or controlling behaviors by a partner. The survey underscores that the conditions of violence against women in the estate sector are really grim. The report also confirms that physical and sexual violence was mostly overlapping and repeated more than one time. 65 percent of the women who were forced to have sexual intercourse, for instance, reported that they went through this violence two to three times and 32 percent reported that they were forced to have sex over five times.
Intimate partners were reported to be inducing physical violence than non-partners.
Long-term physical and mental health impacts were prominently reported in the women who suffered VAW. Close to 30 percent of the victims reported to have suffered from a persistent injury due to sexual and physical violence and close to 20 percent reported that the injuries required medical care. Close to half of the victims who suffered sexual violence by a partner rated the impact of the violence they face was “a lot” while another 30 percent rated it to be “a little.”
COVID 19 only aggravated the levels of sexual and physical violence against women in Sri Lanka and across the world, as was repeatedly reported in news.
A special Select Committee on Gender Equity and Equality is set up by the Parliament of Sri Lanka specifically to look into GBV too and make recommendations to Parliament to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka. The committee headed by Mrs.Fernandopulle works hand in hand with the legislature.
