'We can put an end to violence against women'

by Rosanne Koelmeyer Anderson

Gender equality is vital for development. However, the scenario is different especially in the South Asia region. The first National Change Makers Assembly "We can end all violence against women" was held in Nuwara Eliya last weekend.

Gender coordinator, Tahimina Rahman said the forum was an initiative to enable women to stand up and speak out against violence against women in Sri Lanka.

Whether it be domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, violence at abortion clinics, general crimes in relation to gender, sexuality and race, victimization surrounding violence or abductions it all amounts to violence.

The worst affected being those subject to domestic violence which affects 60 per cent of women in the country despite the fact that Sri Lanka ratified CEDAW that prohibits violence against women on October 5, 1981 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child on July 12, 1991.

Having realized the need to address these issues nationally the first National Change Makers Assembly also addressed the issue as to how men would get involved in bringing about a positive change to put an end to violence against women. Men who were present at the Assembly session took up the stand to come forward and get actively involved in making changes to existing issues.

Around four hundred change makers from all walks of life from eighteen districts of Sri Lanka participated, even women from the 'Shakthi' group in Trincomalee and members from the Mannar Women's Development Foundation as well as participants from India, Bangaladesh, Nepal, Afganistan and Pakistan to bring about a strong and positive attitude towards violence against women and gender equality.

The objective of the Assembly, the gender coordinator said was to bring a shift in women's attitudes, beliefs and practices that support violence against women working in every state of the country by sharing their expertise and building a network with each other.One strategy adopted was for the Change Maker's to build their capacity and bring change to themselves as well as others.

Using the "Change theory" how people will create or be involved identifying individual or community based problems.

The forum focused strongly on building a network and being proactive to uphold women's dignity and rights. The unique feature of this was the involvement of men who will themselves get involved to bring about a violence free society to uphold women's dignity and rights.

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