Efforts towards the elimination of violence against women should not be left to a few brave people, but should be embraced by all, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka John Rankin said.

Issuing a statement to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which fell yesterday, the High Commissioner said UK will continue to play its part in supporting the energy, the courage and the determination of both men and women working to tackle the continuing problem of violence against women.

“Violence against women comes in many guises and is widespread around the world. It includes domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment, abuse in the workplace and sexual violence as a tool of war. Incidents of violence against women are shocking on an individual level, and a barrier to true gender equality,” he said.

Referring to efforts by Britain in this connection, he said: “The UK government recognises the need to combat this problem at home; and internationally, Foreign Secretary William Hague recently launched an initiative to help prevent sexual violence in conflict.”

This day also marked the start of White Ribbon Campaign, 16 days of activism against Violence Against Women, which concludes on December 10.

By Rasika SOMARATHNA
Source: Daily News (Sri Lanka)