Meeting between the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and Singapore Parliamentarian

A discussion between Prof. Rizwana Begum, the representative of Singapore in the Asian Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Women Parliamentarians' Caucus Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle was held recently.

Ms. Vimala Chandrarajan, a Lawyer from Singapore, Dr Ramani Jayasundere, a voluntary technical expert who drafted the Women’s Policy in Sri Lanka, and representatives from NDI were present at the discussions. Organized as one of the cross-border networking initiatives by the Sri Lanka WPC, the primary objective of this meeting was to discuss initiatives, programs, and policies in Singapore aimed at empowering women and addressing and preventing violence against women, Parliament's Communications Department stated. 

Prof. Begum, speaking here, pointed out that there is a need for changes in laws including stricter punishments, personal protection orders, expedited orders, domestic exclusion orders and counseling orders to eradicate violence against women. Furthermore, emphasizing on the prevention of family violence, she stated that action is needed not only by the public sector but also by the private sector.

Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle extended her gratitude to Prof. Begum on sharing Singapore's insights on empowering women in Sri Lanka, preventing gender-based violence (GBV), closing the gender-based wage gap and supporting unpaid female workers and women.