Toward a Safer Sri Lanka: Hundreds March to End Gender-Based Violence

A walk to raise awareness around gender-based violence under the theme, ‘Towards a GBV-Free Sri Lanka: Safe Public Spaces for All’, took place this evening, starting from Independence Square and ending at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), where the iconic landmark building was lit up in orange to signify a future free from violence against women and girls.

The walk marked the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), an annual international campaign from International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November to Human Rights Day on 10 December. It was organized by the United Nations in Sri Lanka, the Government of Sri Lanka and the Forum Against Gender-Based Violence, bringing together influential stakeholders to raise awareness and drive tangible action toward ending GBV, with special attention on fostering safe and inclusive public spaces for women and girls across the country.

Violence against women is the most widespread and pervasive violation of human rights worldwide. According to a report by UNFPA, 90% of Sri Lankan women and girls have faced sexual harassment in public buses and trains, while 1 in 4 women report having experienced physical and/or sexual violence since age 15 (Department of Census & Statistics, 2019). Efforts to end violence against women often face barriers, including legal gaps and social stigma.

The event which was attended by over 400 participants including Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya; Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Paulraj; UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche; and representatives from the development sector and UN agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, and members from the public.

Highlighting the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to combat prevailing GBV in Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated, “to end gender-based violence, we must move beyond words to action. This means confronting the deeply entrenched social norms and structural inequalities that allow violence to persist. It means creating the conditions where justice is accessible, institutions are responsive, and survivors are supported at every level including through mental health services.”

Commenting on the need for collective action, Marc-André Franche, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka emphasized that the responsibility of addressing gender-based violence should not be limited to a few: "Ending gender-based violence is not just about protecting women and girls—it's about transforming our societies to uphold dignity, equality, and justice for all. The progress we see in Sri Lanka today, including more women in leadership, is promising, but far from enough. Together, we must take bold action to create a future where violence and inequality are consigned to history books."

Noting the key role civil society plays, Dr. Savithri Wijesekera, Executive Director of Women In Need and Member of the Forum against GBV, “We pledge to amplify the voices of survivors, educate ourselves and our communities, and challenge harmful attitudes that perpetuate violence. We believe in a world where people can make choices about their bodies, futures, and relationships without intimidation. We pledge to support gender equality in both personal and professional spheres, aiming to break down barriers that hinder progress.”

A series of powerful ‘Stop and Reflect’ videos were launched at the event, presenting real-life scenarios of GBV and sexual harassment in public transport, and public institutions. The event also included a forum theater performance on GBV in public spaces, while a public commitment pledge was made by key stakeholders present.

Throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, a series of events, digital campaigns and public awareness campaigns will take place to raise awareness around and mobilize action against violence against women and girls. Further, the Colombo Municipal Council will be illuminated in orange on 25 and 26 November, as a part of the ‘Orange the World’ global campaign.

The crisis of gender-based violence is urgent. There is #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls. Through coordinated efforts, Sri Lanka can look forward to a future where gender-based violence is seen only in history books.