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Violent issues
By Priyanwada Ranawaka
"Sri Lankan history starts with violence against a woman and the infringement of her rights. We treat the perpetrator as the founder of our nation," Dr. Lakshman Senanayake, Consultant Gynaecologist, at the Castle Street Women’s Hospital reminded a panel discussion on ‘Violence against women and their reproductive rights’.

He was referring to the Kuveni-Vijaya saga. Organized by the Centre for the Study of Human Rights, the panel discussion held at the BMICH on November 25 marked the International Day on Violence Against Women.

The other panelists were Prof. Dulitha Fernando, Head of the Dept. of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Colombo, Executive Director of Women in Need Ms. Savithri Wijesekara, Chairperson of 'Viluthu' Centre for Human Resource Development, Ms. Shanthi Sachitchanandan, and event coordinator Mrs. Shamila Gomez.

Prof. Dulitha Fernando said that most incidents of violence against women are committed by a close relation of the victim. "This seems to occur irrespective of the social, economic, religious or cultural groups they come from," she said.

Mrs. Wijesekara of WIN revealed that the One Stop Crisis Centre at the National Hospital, which was started last year, had already been able to help over 600 women. These women were supported medically, psychologically or legally. WIN can pursue a case and represent the victim in court, but most women were reluctant to testify for fear of the social stigma.

Abortion should be legalized in the case of rape victims, she urged. Ms. Shanthi Sachitchanandan spoke of her experiences in Vavuniya, where she met women who provided sexual services to armed forces personnel. The reproductive rights of women in the plantation sector are also being violated in many ways, she says.

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