ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s lawmakers have politicized the problems of rape and violence with out addressing the elephant within the room, Jeevan Thondaman, Minister of Water Provide and Actual Property Infrastructure Improvement, mentioned in Parliament on Monday (4).
“All members listed below are speaking about rape. What occurs subsequent? We have to discuss abortion rights. That is not one thing anybody desires to get into, and that is why we’re on this place proper now,” Thondaman mentioned.
He added that what was wanted right now was complete intercourse schooling (CSE) for kids and younger individuals.
“Solely by way of CSE in faculties will kids and younger individuals develop correct, age-appropriate information attitudes and expertise; optimistic values reminiscent of respect for human rights, gender equality, range and attitudes and expertise that contribute to a protected, wholesome and optimistic relationship.”
Thondaman identified that CSE performs an important function in getting ready younger individuals for a world the place HIV, AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence proceed to pose a danger to their well-being.
“CSE truly permits kids to take management and make knowledgeable selections with freedom and accountability.”
Thondaman additionally highlighted the findings of a 2021 examine by UNFPA and the College of Kelaniya, which discovered that almost all of girls murdered in Sri Lanka had been killed by these near them.
“62 % of murders of Sri Lankan ladies are dedicated by an intimate associate, ex-partner or member of the family. Greater than 50 % of girls are murdered by their husbands. 84 % are murdered in their very own dwelling by somebody they know.”
The police and judiciary have failed the ladies in Sri Lanka, the minister famous.
“Solely 5 % of those circumstances, between 2013 and 2017, had been ever accomplished. Males claiming they had been provoked, mentally disturbed or have a psychological sickness: these have been profitable defenses. And the police typically categorical sympathy for this story, not like that of the sufferer.”
“We’ve got a historical past of defending oppressors.” (Colombo/December 4, 2023)
