Joining forces to ‘Break the Silence’

Sharing stories on sexual violence or gender-based discrimination

Sri Lankan culture, structurally ambiguous as it is, has keenly held a traditional disparity between the genders throughout the years. Often baseless differences and cultural notions continue to restrict women and liberate men, in turn supported by the ingrained misogyny of lawmakers and the lawbreakers alike.

As a result, most of the society has simply composed themselves to either accept or blindside such narratives of ‘sexual violence’ and ‘gender based discrimination’ leaving the next in line to confront and hopefully resolve it, in true Sri Lankan fashion.

Determined to address this growing threat against women and society as a whole, the members of the Rotaract Club of the University of Colombo’s Faculty of Arts, in collaboration with Youth Govern Sri Lanka, initiated a project in December last year titled ‘Break the Silence’, inviting anyone who had suffered from sexual violence or gender-based discrimination, to share their stories. This was followed in an extensive panel discussion held online on January 25, where Tarangee Mutucumarana, Uwasara Arambewela and Namalee Herath provided their own insight into the topics of discussion, and additional legal advice stemming from their respective fields.

Youth Govern SL, an independent non-profit organization led by students both within and outside the country, joined forces with the Rotaract Club of the Arts Faculty to gather people’s experiences regarding sexual violence and gender-based discrimination. Their open invitation for these testimonials ushered in the voices of an unflatteringly large number of victims. Traditionally silenced as part of the norm, many were reluctant to voice their opinion, with a deeprooted anxiety and fear of speaking up.

Menasha Samaradiwakara, who represents both organizations in this project mediated the panel discussion. Tarangee Mutucumarana, a lawyer by profession and also Director of the YEHELIYA Foundation, provided important legal advice and her personal take on matters of sexual violence. The numerous incidents she has come across in her practice, and the current reaction of the legal system to this very issue were included in her areas of focus, through which she pointed out how these incidents are often tolerated and swiftly discredited by most, including people who have sworn to uphold the law.

Namalee Herath, Officerin-Charge of the Divisional Child and Women Bureau, Gampaha laid out the various steps currently being implemented to counter the problem of such accusations and allegations being discarded. Uwasara Arambewela looked at the aspects of psychological trauma and the disintegration of mental health in victims of sexual violence and gender-based discrimination, highlighting the urgent need for a multi-disciplinary approach to combat the growing threat.

The testimonials were all posted as videos on Instagram as well as Facebook. The recording of the webinar was also posted on Facebook.