The findings of the review of the execution of the Multi-sectoral National Action Plan to Address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Sri Lanka are presented (2016-2020)
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, recently presented the review findings of the implementation of the Multi-sectoral National Action Plan to Address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Sri Lanka 2016-2020. The review emphasised the completion of more than 62% of the essential actions outlined in the plan.
The review findings were communicated with key sectoral ministries, and a road map for developing the new National Action Plan (NAP) to Address SGBV in Sri Lanka 2023-2027 was agreed upon with sector ministry officials. UNDP in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), will assist the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Social Empowerment in developing the new plan in close collaboration with more than 14 sectoral ministries, affiliated agencies, and other stakeholders working to achieve a violence-free life for women and girls in Sri Lanka.
In Sri Lanka, the NAP adheres to the idea of zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence and employs a human rights-based strategy to create a life free of violence for women and girls. The programmes to combat sexual and gender-based violence comprised preventative, intervention, and policy advocacy initiatives.
“There have been a number of SGBV incidents recorded in the last couple of years as families were restricted to their houses owing to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mrs Nilmini Herath, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Social Empowerment. After recognising the importance of SGBV prevention, the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs, and Social Empowerment has taken numerous measures to develop policies, guidelines, and circulars, as well as interventions to address violence against women and girls. It is also worth noting that the previous National Action Plan, which was in place from 2016 to 2020, revealed that more than 62% of the important actions were completed within the time range.”
The new NAP will provide an overall policy framework to address SGBV in Sri Lanka and produce multiple sector-based action plans to prevent, intervene, and develop policies to promote zero violence through coordinated action between state and non-state actors.
“Achieving the Equality that is established in Article 12 of the Sri Lankan Constitution can only be ensured if we all work together to prevent and respond to SGBV and create avenues to fix gaps to achieve equity,” said Ms Madusha Dissanayake, Assistant Representative, UNFPA in Sri Lanka. I feel that the UNDP-UNFPA collaboration to support the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is essential and critical, particularly in the aftermath of the Pandemic and given the current economic circumstances. As the United Nations’ Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency, UNFPA will give technical and financial assistance to establish the new NAP, which will include robust procedures for better monitoring of the transformation we wish to see in the country, particularly in order to meet the 2030 targets.”
Ms Malin Herwig, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka, emphasised the importance of the NAP, saying, “UNDP is happy to be a partner in establishing Asia’s first multi-sectoral National Action Plan.” It was also a milestone strategy for two reasons: first, it was recognised in obtaining Sri Lanka GSP+ status, and second, the CEDAW Committee noted in its deliberations that the country had taken a proactive step in addressing SGBV. “Preventing and responding to gender-based violence” is a key area in the UNDP Global Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025, and we will ensure our collaboration, technical and financial support to build a violence-free living for women, girls, and other gender minorities in Sri Lanka.”
A consistent methodology and format will be introduced to all sectoral ministries to ensure conformity with national and international legal and policy frameworks, with a special focus on the 2030 Agenda.
