Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment focused at the Select Committee

The Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka held discussions regarding the progress of drafting the proposed Bill entitled “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” followed by a presentation to review findings on the implementation of the multi sectoral National Action Plan to address Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) 2016-2020.

These discussions were held at the said Select Committee chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Member of Parliament 

The Select Committee members agreed to send the draft inclusive of all recommendations discussed at the Select Committee to the expert committee assigned for the purpose within two weeks under the purview of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

The Select Committee also acknowledged the progress of the implementation of the multi sectoral National Action Plan to address Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) 2016-2020 and directed and requested the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to incorporate contextualized initiatives to the new plan.

Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, State Ministers  Geetha Kumarasinghe,  Diana Gamage,  Piyal Nishantha De Silva and Members of Parliament  Chandima Weerakkody and Eran Wickramaratne, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of the Parliament Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera, officials and representatives representing relevant stakeholders were present at this Committee meeting held.