New laws vital to protect women

The anti-rape national campaign will be launched to mark the International Women's Day on March 8, Child Development and Women's Affairs Ministry Secretary Sumithra Rahubaddha said.

The campaign against rape under the theme "Stop Rape now" has been already launched worldwide to combat the increasing incidence of rape and sexual harassment, she said.

The media often portrays the sordid tales of even small children being molested by elderly-people.

This needs to be stopped soon in the larger interest of a decent and enlightened society.

All responsible organisations, citizens, parents and clergy must rally round this national campaign against preventing rape, the Secretary said. According to reports, young girls are becoming pregnant especially in distant areas such as Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Ratnapura.

Therefore, it is time to strengthen the legal framework with new laws to stem the tide of escalating violence against women, she said.