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 Growth, stated in Parliament on Monday (4).
“All members listed here are speaking about rape. What occurs subsequent? We have to speak about abortion rights. That is not one thing anybody desires to get into, and that is why we’re on this place proper now,” Thondaman stated.
“Regardless of alarming statistics on rape and violence, ladies are sometimes blamed and punished. The criminalization of abortion is a vital instance of this.”
Sri Lanka has a number of the most restrictive abortion legal guidelines on this planet. In line with a 2016 estimate from the Ministry of Well being, there are roughly 658 abortions per day, and nearly 250,000 per yr.
“That is 250,000 ladies whose lives you’re placing in danger.”
He added that what was wanted presently was complete intercourse schooling (CSE) for youngsters and younger folks.
“Solely by way of CSE in colleges will kids and younger folks develop correct, age-appropriate data attitudes and expertise; optimistic values similar to respect for human rights, gender equality, range and attitudes and expertise that contribute to a secure, wholesome and optimistic relationship.”
Thondaman identified that CSE performs an important function in getting ready younger folks 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 really permits kids to take management and make knowledgeable choices with freedom and duty.”
Thondaman additionally highlighted the findings of a 2021 research (Fatalities_20211109_UNFPA) by UNFPA and the College of Kelaniya, which discovered {that a} majority of girls murdered in Sri Lanka have been murdered by these near them.
“62 % of murders of Sri Lankan ladies are dedicated by an intimate associate, ex-partner or member of the family. 84 % are murdered in their very own residence by somebody they know.”
The police and judiciary have failed the ladies in Sri Lanka, the minister famous.
“Solely 5 % of those instances, between 2013 and 2017, have been ever accomplished. Males claiming they have been provoked, mentally disturbed or have a psychological sickness: these have been profitable defenses. And the police usually categorical sympathy for this story, not like that of the sufferer.”
“We now have a historical past of defending oppressors.”
It takes seven to 10 years for a kid rape case to be concluded, he identified.
The institution of juvenile courts is required, he stated, as are a number of adjustments within the legislation. “The federal government is engaged on a brand new legislation to reform the legislation on home violence and reform the wedding and divorce legal guidelines to make sure there may be a better path to divorce: nobody ought to be compelled to stay in a wedding that’s both abusive is, or will not be wholesome. ” (Colombo/December 4, 2023)
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