A recent survey in Sri Lanka has revealed that one out of every four women beyond the age of 15 years has been subjected to violence at least once during her lifetime. In a country with a population of approximately 22.2 million, 52% of that population is women; the numbers are staggering. Surveys have further revealed that the number of women facing violence has escalated since the COVID-19 pandemic and may be higher now due to the tension in households due to the prevailing economic recession in Sri Lanka.

What is even more troubling is the lack of knowledge in society, especially women, of the avenues available to seek assistance and advice in the event of women being subject to violence. This ignorance in society has led to the importance of raising awareness of the helplines available for women to seek help if they are subject to violence.

To address the lack of awareness on the helplines available for women, the Zonta Club of Colombo III partnered with one of the most popular television channels in Sri Lanka, Sirasa TV and TV1, to create a TV trailer that is telecast every hour throughout the 16 day activism period, to raise awareness on the two main women’s helplines: the helpline of the Women and Children’s Bureau of the Sri Lanka Police and the helpline of the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment in Sri Lanka.

Club President Kamini Senaratne participated in the morning show of Sirasa Television on 24 November and on the Yes FM Radio Show to talk about Zonta’s initiatives in advocating against violence against women.

To kick off the 16 Days of Activism and the Zonta Says NO to Violence campaign on 25 November, the club organized a walk with all the Sri Lankan clubs, which is a first in the country. The walk started in Independence Square to raise awareness of the need for the elimination of violence against women and also to create awareness of the state-run helplines available for women to reach out to in the event of being subject to any violence.

The walk also drew attention to the two prominent state-owned women’s helplines through the placards.

One of the most common modes of transport, the trishaws, were dressed in the Zonta Says NO message, and orange buttons were distributed alongside the walk.

In the true Zonta Spirit, the walk was supported by the Zonta clubs of Colombo I and II and other organizations, such as the Sri Lanka Sumithrayo, Inner Wheel Club of Colombo and Ms. Hettigoda Industries.
The enthusiastic participants enjoyed the walk, an excellent opportunity to network and refresh connections while sending a vital message to the public.