The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I second the motion moved by Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna on behalf of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus.

¶ 02 ILO Convention C190 on violence and harassment in the world of work is historic. For the first time, international law recognizes that harassment — including verbal and psychological, not only sexual — faced by women at workplaces is a collective concern. In our criminal law, the burden of complaint and proof often falls entirely on the victim, framing it as a private matter. C190 expands this to a social responsibility to prevent violence and harassment at work, placing duties on employers, managers, men and women colleagues alike. Thus, it is not only a Government responsibility; society bears an obligation.

¶ 03 Ratification alone is insufficient. We must enact domestic laws to implement it and ensure protection for women at workplaces, preventing violence, especially sexual violence. While men can also be victims, women are disproportionately affected. Ratification signals our international commitment, and with enabling laws, we can make workplaces safer, more productive, and economically beneficial for women and their families.

¶ 04 This is a shared social responsibility. Women should not have to hide or feel shame about workplace harassment. Institutions, owners, and managers must act. We must proceed swiftly from ratification to legislation. I urge the Minister of Labour to take steps accordingly. On this International Women’s Day, I end with hope for a positive message to our women.