Sri Lanka to launch National Plan of Action to address Sexual and Gender- based Violence

Ministry of Women and Child Affairs will launch the Policy Framework and National Plan of Action to address Sexual and Gender- based Violence (SGBV) on Wednesday (November 16).

The launch will take place at the Water’s Edge in Battaramulla under the patronage of the Minister of Women & Child Affairs Chandrani Bandara with the participation of all Ministers of the lead and sub-lead sectors that collaborated with the Ministry in developing the plan and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Colombo.

According to the UNDP the National Action Plan, developed on the vision of creating a violence free life for women and children with Zero Tolerance for Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Sri Lanka is significant, as it was formulated using a multi-sectoral approach with engagement from key ministries representing nine sectors: Child Affairs, Disaster Management, Economic Development and Employment, Education, Empowerment and Prevention, Foreign Employment, Health, Justice and Law reform and Mass Media.

The plan is supported by UNDP’s Strengthening Enforcement of Law, Access to Justice and Social Integration (SELAJSI) Program.

Following the launch, a Donor Forum will be held on the same day to mobilize further resources to implement the plan.