Vavuniya campaign to End Violence against Women

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 November 2004, 11:59 GMT]
Oxfam sponsored District Campaign to End All Violence Against Women was held in Vavuniya Town Hall Tuesday, sources said. An inaugural event was held at Trincomalee St.Joseph's College auditorium Tuesday 26 October.

Vavuniya district Government Agent speaking at the function said, "Some members of our community are still engaged in activities that are against the welfare of our woment. It is imperative that we create awareness amongst our community on the ills of such activities."

Director of Planning at Oxfam, Mr. Martin Lindez, Vanni district Parliamentarians Sivanathan Kishor and Sivasakthi Ananthan, LTTE's Vavuniya Political Wing member Ms Brintha and several members of the public participated in the event.

Similar events are scheduled to be held in Mannar district, Wednesday and in Anuradhapura on Thursday, organizers of Vavuniya event said.

In South Asia, nearly 50% of women suffer violence during their life time and in Sri Lanka the percentage is 60%, officials said.