Women Parliamentarian's Caucus consider formulating Bill for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment

• Published date: 07 September 2022
• Publication title: Sunday Times

The Women Parliamentarian's Caucus which met in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle, took into discussion the proposal presented to the Committee with the objective of ensuring the rights and protection of Sri Lankan women as well as gender quality.

Accordingly, the proposals to the Bill include the establishing of an independent commission titled the 'National Women's Commission' through an Act of Parliament with the mandate to provide leadership on legal and policy reform, monitor the implementation of laws and women's rights and gender equality, and to make recommendations to Parliament for intervention on issues of gender equity and equality, a statemet from the Caucus said.

Furthermore, the proposals also looks into the establishment of an independent Ombudswoman on gender issues under the office of the Ombudsperson to investigate and provide redress for injustice against individual women in the public sector, to legislate for the purpose of expediting cases of violence against women...