Women to the fore to fight corruption

'Women working towards a corrupt free society', a project organized by the Sri Lanka Women's Conference (a gathering of 45 womens' organizations) was inaugurated last week to discuss a strategy and plan to eradicate 'corruption' in society.

Women at the lower levels are the most vulnerable and helpless. They face corruption of different sorts on a day to day basis. It is often the lack of an alternative; and more often than not, ignorance of their rights that leads to corruption.

The event, organized to coincide with the World Anti-Corruption Week.

The SLWC's affiliates such as the All Ceylon Women's Buddhist Congress, All Ceylon Muslim Women's Association, Hindu Women's Society, Sarvodaya Women's Movement, Sri Lanka Housewives' Association, Young Muslim Women's League, Zonta Club of Colombo and many other women's organizations are involved in this endeavour.

Regional workshops will be held in Galle, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Kirinda, Batticaloa, Jaffna and Hambantota.

Speaking at the event Justice Ameer Ismail, Judge of the Supreme Court (Rtd) and Chairman, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption said corruption prevented the full realization of economic, social, and cultural rights.

"No country can succeed if the resources are unjustly utilized. Corruption means misuse of public power for private profit. But no one in this country can be discriminated against-there must not be discrimination in the sense that you are unjustly treated," he said.

He highlighted the consequences of accepting bribery- mainly the humiliation faced by the culprits as well as their immediate family members, through a series of video clips.

Kumar Nadesan, Managing Director of Express Newspapers (Ceylon) Ltd, Director of the Sri Lanka Press Institute, Director of the Sri Lanka Press Complaints Commission and head of the Commonwealth Press Union Sri Lanka Chapter spoke on investigative reporting on corruption. He said the media had a vital role to play in controlling this menace.

"Corruption distorts economic and social development by wrong choices. So it is the media and the civil society that can discourage corruption. The media can highlight the consequences, at the same time encouraging those who are working against it by giving publicity to anti-corruption campaigns," he said.

Shevanthi Jayasuriya spoke on civil society's perspective on corruption. Ms Jayasuriya pointed out that most of us are not aware of our rights and those of us who have the ability, have a moral responsibility to spread the message.

"We call our country a democratic one, we have the right to vote, but we cannot stop at that - we need to question and demand for our rights on a consistent basis. Unless we ask, demand and be a part of the government we cannot stop corruption," she said.