Sri Lanka: Women speak out against violence
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Campaigners sign banners to protest against violence and improve governance and protection for women
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Banners with signatures are hung up around the park
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Campaign organisers used dance and drama to highlight the issues
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A street theatre group perform a play about violence against women
CAFOD’s Partner SAVISTHRI in Sri Lanka has recently launched a public awareness campaign to put a stop to violence against women in all its forms.
The public signature campaign under the theme “Violence Against Women is Violence Against Humanity” was launched near the Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo. SAVISTHRI organized the campaign, bringing together women activists from fisheries, farming and other sectors.
Men, women and children of all ages came together in the park to make a stand against gender violence. They signed banner petitions, and street theatre groups got the vital messages across through dramas.
The campaign will continue until 8th of March 2013 in 13 districts of Sri Lanka.
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Padma Pushpakanthi, National Secretary of SAVISTHRI said, “We’re seeking public attention and participation to improve good governance, and condemn rape, murder and violence against women. We’re seeking respect and to restore right to life and equal treatment to people living in the north and east. It’s a continuous campaign at village and national levels.”
SAVISTHRI has been working on issues of gender violence and helping women to make a living, assert their rights and live safer, healthier lives since 1994.
Tory Jones, CAFOD’s Programme Officer for Sri Lanka said: "This is an excellent example of women taking control of their own futures, and galvanising their communities to bring an end to violence against women. We applaud SAVISTHRI’s initiative and will continue to support their valuable work."
Thank you to everyone who took part in our 16 days of activism campaign. Please don’t stop now! Help us and our partners around the world continue to be there for the survivors of gender based violence. Give and pray with CAFOD today.
