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, 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.
“Regardless of alarming statistics on rape and violence, ladies are sometimes blamed and punished. The criminalization of abortion is a crucial instance of this.”
Sri Lanka has among the most restrictive abortion legal guidelines on this planet. In keeping with a 2016 estimate from the Ministry of Well being, there are roughly 658 abortions per day, and virtually 250,000 per 12 months.
“That is 250,000 ladies whose lives you might be placing in danger.”
He added that what was wanted right now was complete intercourse training (CSE) for kids and younger folks.
“Solely by way of CSE in colleges will kids and younger folks develop correct, age-appropriate information attitudes and expertise; constructive values reminiscent of respect for human rights, gender equality, range and attitudes and expertise that contribute to a secure, wholesome and constructive relationship.”
Thondaman identified that CSE performs a vital position in making 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 threat to their well-being.
“CSE really permits kids to take management and make knowledgeable selections with freedom and accountability.”
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 ladies murdered in Sri Lanka have been murdered by these near them.
“62 % of murders of Sri Lankan ladies are dedicated by an intimate companion, ex-partner or member of the family. 84 % are murdered in their very own house 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 mentioned, 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’s a better path to divorce: nobody needs to be compelled to stay in a wedding that’s both abusive is, or is just not wholesome. ” (Colombo/December 4, 2023)
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