we actually did it and the government confirmed they are finally taking real steps to address the violence against women. im honestly so proud of what we achieved together because they wouldnt have paid attention if not for all of you. stay close though because we need to make sure …
February 1, 2014
Final supporters
His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo 1
Your Excellency,
PETITION TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN SRI LANKA
We, the members of the five Zonta Clubs in Sri Lanka, have initiated this petition to end violence against women (VAW) in the country. Zonta is an Association of Professional and Business Women, committed to the cause of advancement of the status of women. We are affiliated to Zonta International, a global association of 33,000 women in business and the professions. Zonta District 25 comprising Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka at its 12thDistrict Conference held in Colombo in October 2013, resolved that meaningful and effective action should be taken to eliminate and/or minimize violence against women in the region.
Our intention through this petition is to collect one million signatures to urge Your Excellency and government instruments to take speedy action on this pressing problem which threatens women directly, affects the economy of the country and the very fabric of society. We are all confident that Your Excellency will instruct all those concerned to consider this as a priority issue which needs prompt action.
We are proud that Sri Lanka is ahead of other countries in the region in relation to the Millennium Development Goals. We also appreciate very much your state policy of Zero Tolerance to Violence against Women as highlighted in the Mahinda Chinthanaya. However we regret to note that this very relevant and significant policy has not been entirely upheld and enforced. This is manifested by the increased incidences of VAW within the country in the recent past. Similarly, the National Action Plan on action to be taken regarding the elimination of violence against women has been prepared by the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Development, however, many provisions are yet to be implemented.
We seek Your Excellency’s intervention to act speedily to ensure the following:
Through the Attorney General’s Department which now functions under Your Excellency, provide clear directives to the Law Enforcement officers to ensure that justice is meted out in an expeditious manner
Direct the judicial system so that judicial and other law enforcement officers are sensitized on the repercussions of domestic violence and its severity towards the victim, victim's family, the community and country at large.
Make it an essential State responsibility to design effective services and facilities such as safe environments for counselling, legal services, safe shelters etc.
Mainstream gender issues into all stages of programme planning and policy implementation.
Strengthen and expand the women’s and children’s desks in police stations so women can confidently approach the law enforcement authorities.
Whilst thanking Your Excellency and the government for the keen interest and consideration given to Women’s Affairs, we are confident that our petition will be duly acted upon by Your Excellency. We assure you our fullest support in your attempts to eliminate violence against women in Sri Lanka.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Marlene Abeywardene
District Governor
Zonta International – District 25
We are honoured that Sri Lanka's First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa has agreed to endorse our appeal.
We invite you, your organization, your friends and colleagues to join us in strengthening this call by endorsing our appeal.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 5, 2013
Reached 100 supporters
November 30, 2013
81 Comments
Until and unless we put an end to this scourge ... Can we ever call ourselves a literate educate and developed nation laced by a strong dharma that teaches ahimsa
with unlimited oppurtunities availble to women in the feilds of education and careers can we justify that we have done enough to fight against violence yhat is perpetrated against women unabatedly and with relative immunity?
It is important for men to be involved in support of prevention of any form of violence against women or girls in Sri Lanka, Advocacy by them in how women should be treated in our country is important. Development of tolerance towards mild misdemeanors on the part of women should be handled merely by correction, even in times of anger. Violence of the sort we read about should not be resorted to under any circumstances.
Sri Lankan Women should have the same rights as women in the UK and Europe and USA i.e. they should have the right to Education and the right to choose their own Job/Profession. They should not be treat as secondclass people whether from the North or South of the Country.
I await that time when a decrease in the number of women victims of violence is the result of increased sensitivity on the part of men, their increased recognition and respect of women as EQUALS.
Women for Women that,s what we believe in.
should not happpen
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Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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we actually did it and the government confirmed they are finally taking real steps to address the violence against women. im honestly so proud of what we achieved together because they wouldnt have paid attention if not for all of you. stay close though because we need to make sure …
February 1, 2014
Final supporters
His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo 1
Your Excellency,
PETITION TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN SRI LANKA
We, the members of the five Zonta Clubs in Sri Lanka, have initiated this petition to end violence against women (VAW) in the country. Zonta is an Association of Professional and Business Women, committed to the cause of advancement of the status of women. We are affiliated to Zonta International, a global association of 33,000 women in business and the professions. Zonta District 25 comprising Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka at its 12thDistrict Conference held in Colombo in October 2013, resolved that meaningful and effective action should be taken to eliminate and/or minimize violence against women in the region.
Our intention through this petition is to collect one million signatures to urge Your Excellency and government instruments to take speedy action on this pressing problem which threatens women directly, affects the economy of the country and the very fabric of society. We are all confident that Your Excellency will instruct all those concerned to consider this as a priority issue which needs prompt action.
We are proud that Sri Lanka is ahead of other countries in the region in relation to the Millennium Development Goals. We also appreciate very much your state policy of Zero Tolerance to Violence against Women as highlighted in the Mahinda Chinthanaya. However we regret to note that this very relevant and significant policy has not been entirely upheld and enforced. This is manifested by the increased incidences of VAW within the country in the recent past. Similarly, the National Action Plan on action to be taken regarding the elimination of violence against women has been prepared by the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Development, however, many provisions are yet to be implemented.
We seek Your Excellency’s intervention to act speedily to ensure the following:
Through the Attorney General’s Department which now functions under Your Excellency, provide clear directives to the Law Enforcement officers to ensure that justice is meted out in an expeditious manner
Direct the judicial system so that judicial and other law enforcement officers are sensitized on the repercussions of domestic violence and its severity towards the victim, victim's family, the community and country at large.
Make it an essential State responsibility to design effective services and facilities such as safe environments for counselling, legal services, safe shelters etc.
Mainstream gender issues into all stages of programme planning and policy implementation.
Strengthen and expand the women’s and children’s desks in police stations so women can confidently approach the law enforcement authorities.
Whilst thanking Your Excellency and the government for the keen interest and consideration given to Women’s Affairs, we are confident that our petition will be duly acted upon by Your Excellency. We assure you our fullest support in your attempts to eliminate violence against women in Sri Lanka.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Marlene Abeywardene
District Governor
Zonta International – District 25
We are honoured that Sri Lanka's First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa has agreed to endorse our appeal.
We invite you, your organization, your friends and colleagues to join us in strengthening this call by endorsing our appeal.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 5, 2013
Reached 100 supporters
November 30, 2013
81 Comments
Violence against women has risen to alarming proportions in the recent past. It is very important to create awareness and bring an end to it so that our mothers, sisters and daughters will be able to live in society with pride and dignity!
Until and unless we put an end to this scourge ... Can we ever call ourselves a literate educate and developed nation laced by a strong dharma that teaches ahimsa
with unlimited oppurtunities availble to women in the feilds of education and careers can we justify that we have done enough to fight against violence yhat is perpetrated against women unabatedly and with relative immunity?
It is important for men to be involved in support of prevention of any form of violence against women or girls in Sri Lanka, Advocacy by them in how women should be treated in our country is important. Development of tolerance towards mild misdemeanors on the part of women should be handled merely by correction, even in times of anger. Violence of the sort we read about should not be resorted to under any circumstances.
Sri Lankan Women should have the same rights as women in the UK and Europe and USA i.e. they should have the right to Education and the right to choose their own Job/Profession. They should not be treat as secondclass people whether from the North or South of the Country.
I await that time when a decrease in the number of women victims of violence is the result of increased sensitivity on the part of men, their increased recognition and respect of women as EQUALS.
Women for Women that,s what we believe in.
should not happpen
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Violence against women has risen to alarming proportions in the recent past. It is very important to create awareness and bring an end to it so that our mothers, sisters and daughters will be able to live in society with pride and dignity!