Improved Access to Services on Gender-Based Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health for Women and Young people in Sri Lanka

UNFPA and Its Implementing Partners Sign 2020 Annual Work Plans for the project funded by the Government of Japan

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (31 January 2020): According to the Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics in 2016, in Sri Lanka, 17 percent of ever-married women aged 15-49 years have suffered from domestic violence from their intimate partner. Research shows that 50% of youth in Sri Lanka have limited knowledge about their sexual and reproductive health and 35% of married women are not using any form of contraception.

Lack of knowledge on Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is not only closely related to each other but also they make it harder for women and young people to contribute to peace, growth and development of the country.

This morning, the United Nations Population Fund and its implementing partners Women in Need, Women Development Center, Jaffna Social Action Center and Family Planning Association Sri Lanka signed their annual work plans for the year 2020 to address these issues of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and lack of access to Sexual and Reproductive Health information.

This partnership is within a project worth USD 1.4 million funded by the Government of Japan as part of Japan’s larger commitment with the Sri Lankan Government to implement programmes that increase participation of women and young people in maintaining peace, security, and development of the country. In this project UNFPA and the partners will work with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Women and Childs Affairs and Social Security.

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