Sri Lanka Women Parliamentarian Caucus: 25th of October 2013

It is said that a woman is like a full circle within her is the power to create, to inspire and to nurture. Within a woman is the power to create a positive difference within the world’s most important social institution - the family. She serves as the greatest tool of development ever created.

Yet her safety and dignity is at stake. We live in country where women have reached sky-scraping heights in a plethora of fields emerging as forerunners in this tech savvy new world. Yet it’s alarming to know that 6 out of every 10 women in Sri Lanka undergo some form of domestic abuse in their life time. In 2012 alone 1750 innocent lives were brutally torn apart by rape. The statistics are chilling.

It was in the midst of this tragic line of events that the Sri Lanka Women Parliamentarian Caucus organized a panel discussion on the 25th of October 2013 to mark the International Day of the Girl. This was a panel discussion of a different kind as the Young Women and Girls of this country were given a voice. The Sri Lanka Girl Guides association was invited for this event along with 100 Girl Guides, Youth members and Girl Guide Leaders. The topic that was discussed was

Hon.Dr. Sudarshini Fernanadopulle. MP started off the discussion by sketching out the current status of women in Sri Lanka. The girls were delighted to be in the presence of the UN resident Coordinator Mr. Subinay Nandy who provided the panel with an international perspective on the status of women and stressed on the paramount importance of elevating women to the top of any development agenda.

The gathering was honored by the presence of the US Ambassador HE Ms. Michelle J.Sison who commended the girls on their commitment and passion towards this cause while elaborating on the extensive role played by the US embassy in uplifting the status of women in Sri Lanka.

The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the statements given by the three young leaders from the SLGGA. It was a trilingual share of opinions as Miss Rizma Nawas spoke in the Sinhalese about the role of the culture in protecting the woman. She stressed on the deteriorating morals and ethics of the current generation while harping on the misconceptions surrounding the role of women within the cultural context.

Miss Kavishna Thangaraj was the second to take the stage as she spoke of the dire situation face by women post conflict. She spoke in the Tamil language about the atrocities committed against women during and after civil war while quoting many unnerving incidents reported from the North.

Finally Miss Kavindya Thennakoon spoke of the role of the government in empowering and protecting women by providing a comprehensive set of policies that need to be implemented. She stressed on the importance of inculcating a sense of citizen responsibility among the individuals of this country in order to end this appalling sense of apathy.