Two week deadline set for submission of draft bill on gender equality and women’s empowerment

Parliamentary Select Committee on gender equity and equality has set a two week deadline for the submission of draft of the proposed Bill entitled “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment”.

The PSC met recently with its chairperson MP Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle presiding also reviewed the progress of the implementation of the multi-sectoral National Action Plan to address Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), parliament sources said.The Select Committee members agreed to send the draft inclusive of all recommendations discussed at the Select Committee to the expert committee assigned for the purpose within two weeks under the purview of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

Sources said that the Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka was followed by a presentation to review findings on the implementation of the multi sectoral National Action Plan on SGBV.

Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, State Ministers Geetha Kumarasinghe, Diana Gamage, Piyal Nishantha De Silva and MPs Chandima Weerakkody and Eran Wickramaratne, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of the Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera, officials and representatives representing relevant stakeholders were present at this Committee meeting held.