Muslim Women's Research And Action Forum – Sri Lanka – Action to Combat Violence Against Women

Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. It knows no social, economic or national boundaries. Worldwide, an estimated one in three women will experience physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime (UNFPA)

Violence has also been acute during conflict and in times of disaster. In Sri Lanka. More than one million people were made homeless by the 30-year ethnic conflict and the 2004 Asian Tsunami disaster. A significant consequence of this was the increasing violence that resulted in an unsafe, insecure environment for the people – especially the women. Gender Based Violence (GBV) encompasses acts that inflict physical, sexual harm or suffering, threats of such action and and coercion and can occur in public or private. Rape, trafficking, domestic violence, forced marriages, sexual harassment are some examples of GBV. It includes domestic and family violence transcends across all ethnic communities.

Drop – in Community Centres for Women

In the aftermath of the tsunami, MWRAF established 3 Drop-in Community Centres for Women in Kalmunai, Maradamunai and Karaithivu in the Ampara District, initially to relax for those living in the crowded camps. These were equipped with facilities, including entertainment, musical instruments, sewing machines, cooking facilities etc. Separate resting areas, bathrooms, toilets and first aid kits too were provided.

Many women had lost their husbands in the tsunami, and a special area was necessary for the women to observe Iddah (a period of mourning for widows and divorcees) and these shelters provided such a space. Girls did not need to venture out unprotected to collect food, clothing, water and other essentials. These centres were subsequently developed into information and counselling centres.

From Drop-in Centres to Womens (Counselling) Centres

Subsequently, these centres came to be known as Women Centres. The Centers provided legal, psychological counselling, including on domestic and gender based violence. The Centre Managers worked closely with relavent institutions and made referrals for remedial action where necessary to insitutions such as the Police (especially Womens Desks), Mosques, District Secretariat, Mediation Boards, Grama Niladharies, Human Rights Commission, Development Officers, child protection and probation authorities etc. Legal aid was provided where necessary.

These centres were also spaces where some of the mobile clinics/ awareness training conducted by MWRAF were undertaken with the support of lawyers, Quazi judges, marriage registrars, medical doctors, community and religious leaders on wide-ranging topics, including laws relating to marriages and divorce, domestic violence and HIV. Awareness was also created on issues such as subfertility, maternal health, a rights-based approach to family planning, comprehensive sexuality education, unsafe abortions, and information on referral clinics.

Different strategies, including sharing data collected on Domestic Violence (DV), video presentation and personal testimonies by DV survivors, were utilized to sensitize the people- mainly men. They were made to realize the gravity of DV and understand the urgency to take necessary action to eradicate violence. These centres also took the initiative to conduct activities such as signature campaigns to eliminate DV. Due to funding constraints 2 of the Centres had to be shut down and only the Centre in Maradmunai continues to function.

Vigilant Committees (VC)

MWRAF supported the setting up of Vigilant Committees which were formed with the participation of village community leaders – both women and men, retired government workers to address issues social issues arising at the village level and mitigate disputes and disharmony. Awareness was created among VC members on social issues including GBV, and action that could be taken for dispute resolution, referrals etc. VCs were involved in dispute resolutions with regard to ethnic strife, VAW and were in the forefront of diffuding tension in the communities. The VCs were also active in the community events/activities benefitting the village/ villages–whether it be cultural activities, funerals or wedding ceremonies.

Action to Combat Violence Against Women.