1. NATIONAL EFFORTS ON ADDRESSING AND RESPONDING TO VIOLENCE AGAINST SRI LANKAN WOMAN AND GIRL CHILD: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PRIME-MINISTER’S TASK FORCE
Anuruddhi Edirisinghe1 , Anusha Ediriisnghe2
1Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
2 Department of Sociology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

2. Sri Lanka

3. Violence against woman and girl child (VAWGC) is a growing problem in Sri Lanka despite various legal, policy and programme initiatives that were introduced over the years.

4. Police Statistics of Violence against woman and girl child

5. Rape and murder
May 2015
Adolescent
Sep 2015
5 years old

6. Public outcry to execute death penalty in Sri Lanka.

7. International women’s day celebrations 2015
Prime-minister of Sri Lanka nominates a the Task force in 2015 March 08 at IWD Celebrations
Mandate is to prepare an action plan based on recommendations of the report of the commission on VAWGC presented to the Parliament in December 2014
The task force consisted of 11 experts who have worked in different areas related to women issues
Assisted by the Ministry of Woman Affairs

8. ACTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT
The task force formally appointment in April
Several meetings > 20
At the Prime- Ministers office
Submitted the action plan in February 2016

9. Recommendations : Six themes
1. Law and policy reform to ensure substantive equality and non-discrimination as a necessary foundation for eliminating VAWGC
2. Gender sensitive justice system which ensures protection of rights of victims and accountability of perpetrators
3. Strengthened responses, sensitization, awareness and education on VAWGC

10. 4. Facilities for the protection and support of survivors of violence against woman
5. Initiatives on rehabilitation of perpetrators
6. A systematic framework for information gathering and data collection on VAWGC across all relevant state institutions and maintenance of databases

11. Each theme consist of several projects
activities were listed
Prioritized: Very high, high, medium, low
Responsible state institution identified

12. 2. Gender sensitive justice system which ensures protection of rights of victims and accountability of perpetrators No
The need
No of Activities
Priority
2.1
Reform of Penal Code 11
VERY HIGH
2.2
Offence of Torture 02
HIGH
2.3
Allegations of Violence committed by Police and armed forces personnel particularly during the period of armed conflict 09
2.4
Commercial sex workers
2.5
Reform of criminal procedure 03
2.6
Sentencing
2.7
Witness protection 01
2.8
Reform of Civil laws impacting on the issue of violence against women and girls
2.9
Consolidation of administrative institutions and their functions to prevent duplication 04
MEDIUM
2.10
Violence against women in the political sphere

13. 3. Strengthened Responses, Sensitization, Awareness and Education on Violence against Women
The need
No of activities
Priority
3.1
More sensitivity within the police force to all forms of violence against women (rape, femicide, etc) 05
VERY HIGH
3.2
More child and women friendly police stations 03
3.3
Strengthen Women and Children’s Desks 07
3.4
Comprehensive investigation of complaints of violence against women 06
3.5
Improved Judicial Medical service 09
3.6
More efficient prosecution of sexual and gender based violence cases 08
3.7
Improvement on Judge’s Training
3.8
Pending cases of sexual crimes addressed as a matter of urgency
3.9
Victims and witnesses protection 02
3.10
Continuous mass media campaign 04
3.11
Education and awareness raising programmes put in place in all educational and government Institutions
HIGH

14. 4.Facilities for the Protection and Support of Survivors of Violence against WomenNo
The need
No of Activities
Priority
4.1
Expand and strengthen hospital and society based care of victims of violence against women (immediate and long term) 07
HIGH
5. Initiatives on Rehabilitation of Perpetrators No
The need
No of Activities
Priority
5.1
Short and long term perpetrator rehabilitation 02
HIGH
6. A Systematic Framework for Information Gathering and Data Collection on Violence against Women Across all Relevant State Institutions and Maintenance of Database No
The need
No of Activities
Priority
6.1
Adopt a comprehensive policy on data collection and documentation on violence against women 08
HIGH

15. The main aim of the action plan is to provide basis for a holistic and coordinated response avoiding ad hoc and often duplicated interventions that have failed to impact on this serious problem in our society

16. Acknowledgment
Prof. Savithri Gunasekera, chairperson of the task force and the members of the Task force
Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs
Prime-Ministers office for coordinating task force work

17. Thank you