Source: Daily News A tussle between judicial discretion and mandatory sentencing has given rise to inconsistency in sentencing on cases heard in country’s judicial system. The gravity of the issue is further heightened when examining sentences given on sexual offenses, prompting different rights organisations to even file fundamental rights applications on the issue. However, remedies … Continue reading Confusion leads to INCONSISTENCY in sentencing – Daily News

To further engage women in identifying key provisions for electoral reform and women’s political participation in the constitution the Women and Media Collective organised a workshop for women’s rights activists and groups from across the island on the 3rd and 4th of March 2016. This was following a series of meetings undertaken by the WMC … Continue reading A consultation on Gender and Electoral Reforms in the Constitution

Source: Groundviews By Chulani Kodikara The theme for International Women’s Day this year is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for Gender Equality”. A good day to reflect on the 25% mandatory quota for women in local government passed by parliament almost exactly one month ago amidst an uproar created by members of the … Continue reading The Quota for Women in Local Government: A pledge for parity and a parody in parliament?

Committed to fair gender portrayal within and outside the media, South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) Sri Lanka, marks International Women’s Day 2016 with a call for journalists to stand up for gender equality and make fair gender portrayal a professional and ethical aspiration, similar to respect for accuracy, fairness and honesty. One of the … Continue reading IWD 2016: SAWM calls for gender equality

The struggle for supporting and strengthening women’s human rights in the political, social and economical spheres is far from over. In Sri Lanka for instance various forms of discrimination and violence against women in private and public life continues to undermine the gains made in achieving relatively high social development indicators for women and girls. … Continue reading IWD 2016: Strengthening and Protecting the rights of women in Sri Lanka through the new constitution