“It’s time to be part of the solution and not the problem,” Kumar Sangakkara, the acclaimed cricketer said, affirming his partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, to raise awareness on violence against women.
On Thursday, October 27, the EU Delegation in Sri Lanka officially announced their partnership with Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara to fight against violence against women. Speaking to media, Sangakkara said that women should be allowed to enjoy living in Sri Lanka without any segregation. EU Counseller Paul Godfrey said that the project will be launched on Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and a film will be released to the media where Sangakkara and Jayawardena speak of violence against women, followed by a media campaign.
Jayawardena said raising awareness among the public on violence inflicted on women and instilling respect for women in the minds of the young people takes priority. “Women should be encouraged to come forward and complain if they are being abused, whether mentally or physically. No one has any right to abuse anyone.” The Sunday Observer analysed the socio-economic and legal context of dealing with domestic violence and violence against women, and found that the issuing of restraining orders have become lesser and lesser, which, according to legal practitioners, discourages women from complaining.
The Women in Need organisation admitted that Sri Lankan courts are yet to see a case filed for mentally abusing women, even though it is stated in the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act 2005. “We understand that there are many aspects to look into, and that the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act comes under the civil law, not criminal law,” Sangakkara said.
Educating people on abuses and understand gender equality will be a main contribution by the two celebrity cricketers. When questioned about the negative portrayal of women in the media, Godfrey said that the EU plan is to focus on positive role models, and focus on female representation in parliament.