COLOMBO ACTIVITY FOR ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001070 FOR S/GWI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM KWMN KPAO CE SUBJECT: COLOMBO ACTIVITY FOR ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REF: State 120322 ¶1. On November 25, 2009, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Post coordinated with the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka to organize a ceremony in recognition of the Commission's efforts to support women and end gender-based violence in Sri Lanka. ¶2. The Charg d'Affaires met in the Embassy with a four-member group from the Legal Aid Commission to discuss the Commission's efforts and take part in a ceremony where the group's leaders pin white ribbons on Embassy staff. The ribbon symbolizes the need to eliminate violence against women. This is the third year the Embassy has hosted this ceremony; other missions in Colombo are now taking part. ¶3. The Commission, though largely funded by the Ministry of Justice, is an independent organization formed in 1978 that gives free legal aid to underprivileged sections of the community. Currently the Commission runs 47 legal aid centers island-wide; these centers address -- along with ending violence against women -- the rights and protection of children, elders, internally displaced persons, and migrant workers. ¶4. Post looks forward to continue engaging with this and other groups on issues related to ending violence against women. The attendees expressed their appreciation to the Embassy. FOWLER