Plan of Action Supporting the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act

Brief Description

This Plan of Action sets out strategies and specific activities that aim to facilitate widespread awareness of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, to develop and strengthen prevention initiatives and service provision, and to
ensure that there is a strategic and coordinated response to domestic violence in Sri Lanka. The Plan of Action will contribute towards the fulfillment of Sri Lanka’s international obligations, and its commitment to the 1993  Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The National Committee on Women (NCW) will play a lead role in coordination, advocacy and monitoring in relation to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. Protection of women from gender-based violence is one of the rights enshrined in The Women’s Charter of Sri Lanka. NCW will constitute a Steering Committee that will play a critical role in supporting NCW to coordinate the Plan of Action. The Steering Committee will comprise of representatives from relevant Ministries and Departments, multilateral agencies and NGOs.

This Action Plan was developed in consultation with representatives from line Ministries, the Police Department, multilateral agencies and NGOs. It also draws on the strategies suggested in a national consultation workshop held in 2004 on gender-based violence organized by the UN Gender Working Group (led by UNFPA) and CENWOR, and on the recommendations of relevant publications (i.e. Wijayatilake & Guneratne 2002; Wijayatilake 2004).