Today we live in a new environment where the universality of some abiding values and even some issues of global concern are being challenged as unpatriotic and contrary to our own national consciousness.
Former SriLankan president, Maithreepala Sirisena said in an event at United Nations headquarters that “Women hold up more than half the sky”. This event which focused on ending discrimination against women by 2030 brought 80 world leaders under one platform.
Violence against women is a global menace despite national and international human rights instruments that have been introduced so far. Violence against women as well as girls is recognized as one of the most omnipresent, continuous and destructing human rights violations in the world. In a report of World Health Organization, it is mentioned that every three women experience violence (physical or sexual) by an intimate partner within their lifetime. Also, it is revealed that one in every three women is a victim of homicide (killed by an intimate partner or family member). It seems that the home is the most dangerous place for women to get abused. Domestic violence committed by an intimate partner has serious impacts to the whole spectrum of the society. Children who have firsthand experience with regards to violence are more prone to suffer emotional and behavioral disturbances. Especially female children become victims. These victims may suffer stress, psychological trauma, sleeping disorders and anxiety which finally provoke them to commit suicide.
While the forms of violence may vary across social, economic, cultural and historical contexts, it remains as a devastating reality in all parts of the world, affecting seven out of ten women in most countries.
Everybody knows that women play a significant role in the family. The concept of a family heavily depends upon the character of a woman. Women play many roles in society. At one time a mother, wife, teacher. On the other hand, a daughter or a sister. She always takes a responsibility in household management. If such a lady is subjected to physical torture or any psychological abuse, it would be a negative impact to the entire family unit. The psychological trauma and physical abuse would be the reason to a corrupted and an ineffective society.
After adopting the Declaration on the Elimination of violence against women, the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, designated 25 Th of November as the International day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Activists around the globe have been marking this day since 1981.
The diverse aspects of violence have gained global recognition since 1995. In response to this factor, the world has progressed in creating preventive measures. According to World Health Organization, gender inequality is the main reason for violence against women. Attitudes of male sexual right, societal beliefs, lack of laws, weak legislations for sexual violence intensifies the use of physical and sexual abuse against women.
The impact of violence against women on society creates a number of socio-economic and political issues which ultimately would lead us to many difficulties as a nation. It is like a sinking ship. Our proud culture and values would get deteriorated.
Despite the existence of abundance of domestic and international mechanism for the protection of women’s rights and liberties of girl child, certain gaps are visible which need immediate attention of relevant authorities.
Srilanka too has recognized violence against women as a prevalent issue in the country. It is one of the first countries to ratify the UN international standard on women which is a convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).Some acts were passed in the parliament to address the issue. They are “The Penal code” that supports the criminal justice of the country is a huge instrument which remedies violence against women, National Action Plan for Women in 1996 and Prevention of Domestic Violence Act 34 of 2005.But, despite the substantial law being more female friendly, the attitudes of the society towards women is yet to be ameliorated.
The Executive Director of Law and Society Trust, Dinushika Dissanayake says that although Srilanka has sufficient legislative measures, problem is with the implementation. Women are shy to voice their problems. They feel ashamed to report such incidents. So they hide them.
According to recent researchers, Srilanka has taken a few steps to eliminate this problem. During the period of ethnic conflict, there had been a sharp rise in incidents related to violence against women in areas affected by war.
The Women in Need is an organization which provides relief for victims. In the year 2016, women WIN has counseled about 20,000 women and girls. They had registered about 7000 new clients for legal advice and had gone to court 5000 times. According to the data collected, there had been 700 cases of sexual abuse, 900 cases of physical abuse, 3000 cases of psychological abuses, 145 cases of child abuse and 15 cases of rape. In the first three months of the number of cases has increased 1723 cases of physical and sexual abuse .This organization has also received a certain number of cyber harassment complaints in 2019
Avoiding delays in the criminal justice system is extremely important. For example, the recent rape and murder case of Vidya in Srilanka was heard for six consecutive days at the High Court. This is actually a good practice. Access to justice should be effective as much as possible. It is not only the rich women, but all ladies whether poor or rich should be able to attain justice without any delay.
Not only the judiciary, but other institutional reforms are also necessary. The public should be educated (especially school children) on good parenting and improving legal literacy of women should be done in countries.
The Executive Director of WIN, Savithri Wijesekara says that unlike in the past, the present type of violence seems to be more brutal and gruesome. About 15 years ago, it was a slap and black eye but now the victims lose their lives more often. Women usually tolerate for 3 to 5 years before they visit an organization such as WIN. She says. As far as sexual and physical violence are concerned, financial vulnerability, stigma, and impression of the society towards divorce are the reasons that prevent women seeking help from organizations.
As Wijesekara says, mutual respect, comprehensive sexual education, awareness of mothers regarding social norms, play a significant role in alleviating VAW. According to Wijesekara, when you bring up children in a certain culture, you expect a girl to listen, tolerate and to be patient while inculcating good values. However, that cannot be expected from a boy. You don’t tell your son to listen; that your wife may be right. Never. Mother doesn’t say that. That is the tradition. However, now women are more independent and educated but men expect everything to be done by women. Here is the place where disputes occur.
Media too can play crucial role in eradicating VAW. Media needs to report everything related to incidents of VAW in order to create awareness on it. At this juncture, sensationalism and usage of gender discriminatory language should be removed. Sepali Kottegoda who was the Executive Director of Women and Media Collective opines balanced reporting can bring changes in societal attitudes and values. Also, paving way to mitigate this issue. According to my point of view, inculcating humane values and respecting cultural representation would be an initiative to get rid of this problem at grassroots level. Implementing strict law and order, positive male participation in awareness programmes are some other means to overcome this crisis.
Srilanka is considered as a country that belongs to a country that runs back centuries. Women have played an iconic role in flourishing the nation since ancient times. Women and girl-child should never be left behind on narrow understandings.
It is high time to take an initiative to rejuvenate the existing legal framework not only to eliminate violence against women but also to have better future as a civilization with great potential. When it comes to violence based solely on a particular gender, it is more avoidable. Thereby, protection as well as prevention is not only possible but necessary. The responsibility of the whole humanity is to protect the victims of VAW and to prevent women and girls from being victims of barbaric actions of men.
Writer: D.M Navoda Dissanayake
Artist: Priyanshi Borad
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