“Let’s unite to end Gender Based Violence” reaches fever pitch

A number of activities were held in Parliament on Thursday (01) under the leadership of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus in support of the Sixteen Days of activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV). Women Parliamentarians and women staff officers were dressed in orange to support the programme.

Accordingly, a wristband with the message “Let’s Unite to end Gender Based Violence” was presented to President Ranil Wickremesinghe by the Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle along with the other members of the Caucus. Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera was also present on the occasion. The President informed that the draft bill on the Women’s Act should be completed soon and submitted to Parliament.

The publications relevant to gender equality and social inclusion, donated by National Democratic Institute (NDI) were also presented to the President at the recently established Gender and Social Inclusion Section of the Parliament Library.

Subsequently, wristbands with the message “Let’s Unite to end Gender Based Violence” were tied on the Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, and leaflets on gender equality and social inclusion were also presented to those who had gathered.

At the press conference that followed, members of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus explained the idea behind the “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls,” which is the theme of the global campaign against GBV in 2022. Female MPs emphasized that without unity GBV cannot be combatted. They called on the governments, development partners, CSOs, youth, media and all other stakeholders to come together to fight GBV.

To stand in solidarity with this global movement, the female parliamentarians carried out a series of advocacy measures starting from 25 November. They conducted two panel discussions on combating GBV on 28 and 29 November.

A knowledge sharing session with journalists on “Combatting Violence against Women (VAW) through Media” is scheduled to be held on 06 December. There will be a discussion on combating GBV and VAW through media reporting among Sri Lankan journalists including the lobby correspondents.

All these activities are being carried out by the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, hand in hand with the Parliament Communications Department and the Parliament Secretariat in the hope of raising awareness among Parliamentarians and the public against GBV and the necessary support was provided by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).