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People at risk of gender based violence face increasing hurdles, says UN report
View(s):By Dilushi Wijesinghe
The United Nations says it is increasingly difficult for Sri Lankans at risk of sexual and gender-based violence to reach essential services, access help to reduce exploitation, violence and abuse, or obtain adequate housing and urban services.
The UN 2024 ‘Annual Results Report’ was released to the media this week. There has been no progress in assuring the quality of social workers or implementing an integrated social protection system (such as programmes to reduce poverty) in Sri Lanka, it said.
The report said, however, that there has been advancement in developing a national social protection policy and in the delivery of cash, vouchers, and in-kind social protection benefits.
In the education sector, there was improved access to skills and learning with national policies introduced to promote “inclusive, accessible and equitable education.” Digital learning within the system is also better, despite regress in “gender-responsive and equitable education systems.”
Public spending on health and education increased as a share of GDP in 2024, reversing the previous year’s decline.
The report highlights the need for a national policy and a multi-sector action plan to eradicate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. There has been progress in water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools and healthcare settings with better access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene services.
It said Sri Lanka’s economy showed “clear signs of stabilization” last year, with GDP growth reaching five percent compared with -2.3% in 2023.
Progress was seen in implementation of “transformational economic strategies, innovative financing mechanisms, and the delivery of services aimed at promoting economic development, employment, and decent work.”
There was growth among private sector entities—particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises—and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) capacity.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka maintained a 50% renewable energy share in its national energy mix, “reflecting continued momentum toward affordable and clean energy,” the report said.
Despite some improvements, the proportion of detainees awaiting sentencing in the overall prison population increased from 61.7% in 2023 to 69% in 2024, highlighting an ongoing systemic bottleneck. “Public perception of corruption remained high, emphasising the ongoing need for institutional accountability and integrity,” the report stressed.
“During 2024, government-led efforts continued in the areas of legislative reforms, trust-building, and promoting social cohesion,” it continued. “A key milestone was the re-accreditation of the Human Rights Commission’s ‘A’ status by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).”
“The appointment of the country’s third female prime minister and a record high 9.7% female representation in Parliament marked historic gains in women’s political participation,” it said, adding that “the enactment of the Women’s Empowerment Act No. 37 of 2024 established stronger institutional mechanisms, including a National Commission on Women, a Woman Ombudsperson, a dedicated fund for women, and a framework for implementing the National Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy.”
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