Download Policy Framework and National Plan of Action to address SGBV in Sri Lanka 2016-2020

184 Pages·2016·2.12 MB·English

Acknowledgements
The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs embarked on this significant and timely national initiative last year, given the nature and extent of incidents of sexual and gender-based
The Policy Framework and National Plan of Action (NPoA) to address Sexual and Gender–based Violence was submitted violence reported on a daily basis in Sri Lanka. The State has an obligation and commitment to address SGBV through the ratification of CEDAW, and by being signatory to other
to the Cabinet by Hon. Chandrani Bandara, Minister of Women and Child Affairs on 23rd May 2016 (Cabinet Paper international treaties. Sri Lanka has strived to achieve gender parity in many fields such as education and health and is looking to go a step further in achieving SDG Goal: 5 “achieving
16/0964/740/006). The NPoA to address SGBV was approved by the Cabinet on 7th June 2016 without any reservations gender equality and empower all women and girls” which requires prevention and response to SGBV as a priority.

and the Cabinet directed the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to take action to implement the NPoA under
The initial phase of the formulation of the Policy Framework and National Plan of Action to address Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) commenced under two former
the medium term budgetary framework 2017 – 2019 as indicated in the observation by the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake,
Secretaries Mr. Eric Illayapparachchi and Mrs. Sudharma Karunaratne who provided the necessary guidance and leadership to whom I am thankful. The Ministry acknowledges with
Minister of Finance. The Cabinet also directed the Secretary to inform the Secretaries to relevant Ministries and other gratitude the support and guidance of all Secretaries of all sectoral Ministries namely Ministry of Disaster Management, Ministry of Education, Ministry of National Policies and
authorities on the action to be taken by them pertaining to the matters falling under their purview. Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Employment, Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media,
Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training, Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations, Ministry of Plantations, the University Grants Commission and the Department
The following are the positive observations made by the responding Ministries on the NPoA: of Divineguma. We are indebted to the Technical leads and members of the technical committees in each sector for their commitment and long hours of deliberations which
enabled the compilation of high quality sector plans to address SGBV. We value the input provided by all State agencies, NGOs/ CSOs, INGOs, UN agencies and other individuals
Ministry of Finance: who participated and contributed immensely to this process through the technical committees and the National Consultation that was held in December 2015.

The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance agreed with the Policy Framework and National Plan of Action to
I thank all members of my staff who actively contributed towards the completion of this plan; especially the dedication of Mrs. Ashoka Alawatte, Additional Secretary (Development)
address SGBV and recommended to implement the Plan under the medium term budgetary framework 2017 – 2019. who worked closely with the team and gave direction/ technical input to this process, to Mrs. Swarna Sumanasekara for her technical input; and the valued support and contribution
of Mr. J. P. S. Jayasinghe - Director Planning and Mrs. R. A. Chulananda – Director Women’s Bureau. I am also very grateful to all MWCA staff who participated in technical committees
Ministry of Justice:
linked with other ministries and special appreciation to Ms. Sunimali Gunathilaka, Development Assistant who coordinated the work required from the Ministry of Women and
Child Affairs and linked with the other ministries.
The Hon. Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, Minister of Justice agreed with the Plan without any objections.

Ministry of Disaster Management: We are grateful to the deep commitment of the technical consultants Dr. Lakshman Senanayake and Ms. Sriyani Perera who provided their technical expertise and facilitation of
the process of the formulation and finalization of all sector plans and background reports. We value the support provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Disaster Management agreed with the Plan submitted by the Ministry of
to this entire initiative, and extend our appreciation to Ms. Bimali Ameresekere, Technical Coordinator – Gender and Women’s Empowerment, UNDP - Strengthening Enforcement
Women and Child Affairs and noted that the Plan has been developed with multi-sectoral contribution that included of Law, Access to Justice and Social Integration (SELAJSI) Programme (attached to this Ministry) for her technical input, coordination and dedication which ensured the successful
the disaster management sector. The Minister acknowledges that the Plan is a timely intervention and agrees that completion of this process.

the strategies, key activities, indicators and the budgetary allocations is comprehensive.
We hope this national endeavor which has put in place a holistic plan to address SGBV in Sri Lanka will help reduce all forms of sexual and gender-based violence against women,
Ministry of Foreign Employment: men, girls and boys that take place in the public and private spheres, and help create a violence-free, safer place where human dignity and equal rights are ensured for all.

Hon. Thalatha Athukorale, Minister of Foreign Employment stated that she does not have any objections to the Plan.
Chandrani Senaratna
Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs,

June 2016
1
Acknowledgements
The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs embarked on this significant and timely national initiative last year, given the nature and extent of incidents of sexual and gender-based
violence reported on a daily basis in Sri Lanka. The State has an obligation and commitment to address SGBV through the ratification of CEDAW, and by being signatory to other
international treaties. Sri Lanka has strived to achieve gender parity in many fields such as education and health and is looking to go a step further in achieving SDG Goal: 5 “achieving
gender equality and empower all women and girls” which requires prevention and response to SGBV as a priority.

The initial phase of the formulation of the Policy Framework and National Plan of Action to address Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) commenced under two former
Secretaries Mr. Eric Illayapparachchi and Mrs. Sudharma Karunaratne who provided the necessary guidance and leadership to whom I am thankful. The Ministry acknowledges with
gratitude the support and guidance of all Secretaries of all sectoral Ministries namely Ministry of Disaster Management, Ministry of Education, Ministry of National Policies and
Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Employment, Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media,
Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training, Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations, Ministry of Plantations, the University Grants Commission and the Department
of Divineguma. We are indebted to the Technical leads and members of the technical committees in each sector for their commitment and long hours of deliberations which
enabled the compilation of high quality sector plans to address SGBV. We value the input provided by all State agencies, NGOs/ CSOs, INGOs, UN agencies and other individuals
who participated and contributed immensely to this process through the technical committees and the National Consultation that was held in December 2015.

I thank all members of my staff who actively contributed towards the completion of this plan; especially the dedication of Mrs. Ashoka Alawatte, Additional Secretary (Development)
who worked closely with the team and gave direction/ technical input to this process, to Mrs. Swarna Sumanasekara for her technical input; and the valued support and contribution
of Mr. J. P. S. Jayasinghe - Director Planning and Mrs. R. A. Chulananda – Director Women’s Bureau. I am also very grateful to all MWCA staff who participated in technical committees
linked with other ministries and special appreciation to Ms. Sunimali Gunathilaka, Development Assistant who coordinated the work required from the Ministry of Women and
Child Affairs and linked with the other ministries.

We are grateful to the deep commitment of the technical consultants Dr. Lakshman Senanayake and Ms. Sriyani Perera who provided their technical expertise and facilitation of
the process of the formulation and finalization of all sector plans and background reports. We value the support provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
to this entire initiative, and extend our appreciation to Ms. Bimali Ameresekere, Technical Coordinator – Gender and Women’s Empowerment, UNDP - Strengthening Enforcement
of Law, Access to Justice and Social Integration (SELAJSI) Programme (attached to this Ministry) for her technical input, coordination and dedication which ensured the successful
completion of this process.

We hope this national endeavor which has put in place a holistic plan to address SGBV in Sri Lanka will help reduce all forms of sexual and gender-based violence against women,
men, girls and boys that take place in the public and private spheres, and help create a violence-free, safer place where human dignity and equal rights are ensured for all.

Chandrani Senaratna
Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs,
June 2016
1
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements 1
List of Abbreviations and Acronyms 4
Introduction: Policy Framework and National Plan of Action to address Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in Sri Lanka 11

SECTOR: CHILD AFFAIRS 19
Background: Child Affairs Sector 20
Sector Plan: Child Affairs 25

SECTOR: DISASTER MANAGEMENT 41
Background: Disaster Management Sector 42
Sector Plan: Disaster Management 45

SECTOR: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT 53
Background: Economic Development and Employment Sector 54
Sector Plan: Economic Development and Employment 59

SECTOR: EDUCATION 72
Background – Education Sector 73
Sector Plan: Education (Sub-sectors: General Education, Higher Education, Vocational & Technical Education) 76

2
SECTOR: EMPOWERMENT AND PREVENTION 93 List of Abbreviations and Acronyms
Background: Empowerment and Prevention Sector 94
Sector Plan: Empowerment & Prevention 99 AG Attorney General

ALFEA Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies
SECTOR: FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT 117
APVCW Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses
Background: Foreign Employment Sector 118
ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations
Sector Plan: Foreign Employment 118
BOI Board of Investments
SECTOR: HEALTH 135
CDO Community Development Officer
Background: Health Sector 136
CEDAW UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
Sector Plan: Health 140
CERD Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination
SECTOR: JUSTICE AND LAW REFORM 151 CERT Computer Emergency Response Team (National Center for Cyber Safety)
Background: Justice Sector 152
CRC UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Sector Plan: Justice and Law Reform 156
CRPO Child Rights Protection Officer

SECTOR: MEDIA 165 CSHR Centre for the Study of Human Rights
Background: Media Sector 166
CSOs Civil Society Organizations
Sector Plan: Media 168
CSR Corporate Social Responsibility

CWDU Child and Women Development Units
Mode of Inter-sectoral Coordination, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation of National Plan of Action to address SGBV 2016-2020 176
Sector Technical Committee Chairpersons, Technical Leads and Members of the Technical Committees 177 CYPO Children and Young Persons Ordinance

DCDC District/ Divisional Child Development Committee

DEVAW UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women
3 4
List of Abbreviations and Acronyms
AG Attorney General
ALFEA Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies
APVCW Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses
ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations
BOI Board of Investments
CDO Community Development Officer
CEDAW UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
CERD Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination
CERT Computer Emergency Response Team (National Center for Cyber Safety)
CRC UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
CRPO Child Rights Protection Officer
CSHR Centre for the Study of Human Rights
CSOs Civil Society Organizations
CSR Corporate Social Responsibility
CWDU Child and Women Development Units
CYPO Children and Young Persons Ordinance
DCDC District/ Divisional Child Development Committee
DEVAW UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women
4
DPCCS Department of Probation and Child Care Services GSN Grama Seva Niladhari
DDG/ET &R Deputy Director General Examination, Training and Research HEB Health Education Bureau
DMC Disaster Management Committee HRC Human Rights Commission
D/MH Director, Mental Health ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
DOs Development Officers ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
DOM Department of Meteorology IDP Internally Displaced Person
DMC Disaster Management Center IEC Information Education and Communication
DPCCS Department of Probation and Child Care Services ILO International Labour organization
DRR Disaster Risk Reduction IASC Inter-Agency Standing Committee
DV Domestic Violence INGO International non-governmental organization
DCRC Divisional Child Rights Committee JMO Judicial Medical Officer
EFC Employer’s Federation of Ceylon JSC Judicial Services Commission
EMA Estate Medical Assistant LAC Legal Aid Commission
LCSL Law Commission of Sri Lanka
EPZ Export Processing Zone
LDD Legal Draftsman’s Department
ESDFP Education Sector Development Frame work and Programme
LFPR Labour Force Participation Rate
FHB Family Health Bureau
MCH Maternity and Child Health
FPA Family Planning Association
MISP Minimum Initial Service Package
FTZ Free Trade Zone
MIS Management Information System
GS Grama Seva
5 6
GSN Grama Seva Niladhari
HEB Health Education Bureau
HRC Human Rights Commission
ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
IDP Internally Displaced Person
IEC Information Education and Communication
ILO International Labour organization
IASC Inter-Agency Standing Committee
INGO International non-governmental organization
JMO Judicial Medical Officer
JSC Judicial Services Commission
LAC Legal Aid Commission
LCSL Law Commission of Sri Lanka
LDD Legal Draftsman’s Department
LFPR Labour Force Participation Rate
MCH Maternity and Child Health
MISP Minimum Initial Service Package
MIS Management Information System
6
MoDM Ministry of Disaster Management MoSDVT Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training
MoDSIT Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade MoSEW Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare
MoE Ministry of Education MoT Ministry of Transport
MoFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs MP “Mithuru Piyasa” service point
MoFE Ministry of Foreign Employment MWCA Ministry of Women and Child Affairs
MoH Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine NACLM National Advisory Committee on Labour Migration
MOH Medical Officer of Health NAP National Action Plan
MoHA Ministry of Home Affairs NBRO National Building Research Organization
MoHCNVICD Ministry of Hill Country New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development NCPA National Child Protection Authority
MoHE Ministry of Higher Education NDMCC National Disaster Management Coordination Committee
MoIC Ministry of Industry and Commerce NDRSC National Disaster Relief Service Center
MoJ Ministry of Justice NGO Non-Governmental Organization
MoLO Ministry of Law and Order NHSL National Hospital of Sri Lanka
MoLTUR Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations NIE National Institute of Education
MO-MCH Medical Officer Maternity and Child Health NISD National Institute of Social Development
MoNCDOL Ministry of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages NSFHH National Secretariat for Female Headed Households
MoNPEA Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs NYSC National Youth Services Council
MoPI Ministry of Plantation Industries ONUR Office for National Unity and Reconciliation
MoPRMM Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media PDVA Prevention of Domestic Violence Act
7 8
MoSDVT Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training
MoSEW Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare
MoT Ministry of Transport
MP “Mithuru Piyasa” service point
MWCA Ministry of Women and Child Affairs
NACLM National Advisory Committee on Labour Migration
NAP National Action Plan
NBRO National Building Research Organization
NCPA National Child Protection Authority
NDMCC National Disaster Management Coordination Committee
NDRSC National Disaster Relief Service Center
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
NHSL National Hospital of Sri Lanka
NIE National Institute of Education
NISD National Institute of Social Development
NSFHH National Secretariat for Female Headed Households
NYSC National Youth Services Council
ONUR Office for National Unity and Reconciliation
PDVA Prevention of Domestic Violence Act
8