Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya states that over 90% of women in the country have experienced sexual harassment at least once in their lifetime while using public transport.
It is statistically proven that 90% of women face sexual harassment in public transport at least once in their lifetime and the Global Gender Gap Index of Sri Lanka lists at 122 among 146 countries that marks gender disparity is not just a women’s issue. It is a societal challenge that transcends gender, race, religion, and age, she said.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the official launch of ’THRIVE- Together for Her: Resilience-building, Inclusivity, and Voices for Equality in Sri Lanka’, held on 25 March at the Australian High Commission in Colombo which was jointly hosted by the High Commissioner of Australia, UN Women, and Chrysalis.
THRIVE is a five-year initiative implemented by UN Women and Chrysalis, and funded by the Government of Australia. This project contributes to achieving Outcome 6 – “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” – of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Sri Lanka 2023-2027, which has been co-signed by the Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations, guiding the work of the UN system in Sri Lanka.
The project aims to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in Sri Lanka by strengthening the economic and social resilience of marginalized women to navigate and recover from crises, insecurity, and the impacts of climate change aiming women with disabilities, women-headed households, and women in the plantation sector across six districts – Mannar, Kilinochchi, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Moneragala, and Colombo.
Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasized the need for structural and attitudinal change for ensuring gender parity and eliminating violence against women.
“Sri Lanka ranks high on the Human Development Index, with a literacy rate exceeding 92%, and over 60% of university students being women. However, only 35% of women participate in the paid workforce.”
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the need for an appropriate mechanism to ensure that women have the opportunity to contribute to the economy through employment.
