The first women’s commission is born for Sri Lankan women

“Since there has not been a responsible institution so far in Sri Lanka to address these issues, which has become a common social issue, the violation of women’s rights, the violence, harassment and oppression faced by women, the office of the Women’s Commission was opened to make room for it,” said Thusari Madahapola, the current coordinator of the Commission.

“The People’s Commission for Women, regardless of race, religion, caste, class, gender, and party, does not connect to a political party or group and works directly and independently to establish the rights of women,” said Thushari Madahapola at the opening of the Women’s Commission office.

The office of the Sri Lankan People’s Commission for Women was recently opened to the public at 33/9A, Butgamuwa Road, Rajagiriya, and the Women’s Commission was officially launched in conjunction with Women’s Day in March 2022.

The People’s Commission for Women, which consists of 11 women’s organizations and peoples’ organizations and 11 individual activists, has been formed to represent Free Trade Zones, fisheries, and Plantation sectors.

Explaining the need for a women’s commission in Sri Lanka, Padma Pushpakanthi the National Coordinator of the SAVISTHRI Women Organization, a founding flagship organization of the Women’s Commission said that women and children are the most affected by the current social, economic, cultural, and political crisis in Sri Lanka.

“At present, the problems faced by women are more enormous than in the past. In such a situation, they are also facing a serious risk situation. The state structures that have been established to intervene in those issues have now become inoperative. Then who will listen to women? ” said Padma Pushpakanthi.

“In the preparation of new government policies and development programs, no attention is paid to it. As civil organizations, we have continuously held various discussions on this with the relevant government structures over a period of time, but no attention was paid to it. In such a situation, to present women’s issues. A place where there was a serious need for some active public intervention to protect their rights by intervening. That is why the People’s Commission for Women in Sri Lanka, which is going to be functioning at an office from today, was born.” said Padma Pushpakanthi.

“In this current situation, problems faced by women in the free trade zone, women in the plantations, women who lost their husbands and lost their lands in the north, and ordinary women should be socialized. She should be given a helping hand to take appropriate measures to solve those problems. She should be empowered in that problem to fulfill these matters. So, this commission should act like a helping hand to them.” told Mojo News  Lalith Abeysinghe, a social analyst and training consultant who is actively contributing to the establishment of the People’s Commission for Women.

“This is not the work of the government. This is not the work of any institution or not the work of any group. This is our work. A woman is not someone who needs help from anyone. A woman has great strength. We can see, here, there are several women who are with such strength and women’s organizations are ready to take this work into their hands and move forward.”  addressing the gathering said Lavina Hasanthi, Coordinator of the Women’s Desk of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO).

For that, “there are also, male persons who valued the Women’s strength and like to go forward holding hands with us. it is a reason to be happy. So, let’s independently stand together for our women and let’s help.” she added.

“It is not possible to make this society better as long as women are treated as a second party. When they are treated equally with men, when they are treated equally with others in society, it is possible to create a good society. It is possible to create a fair situation for women through this women’s commission. ” said S. G. Punchihewa, an Attorney-at-Law who is fully contributing to the women’s commission, also said that what is expected from such a commission is to bring about such a better situation.