90% Of Sri Lankan Women Have Faced Sexual Harassment In Public Transport – PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that 90% of women in Sri Lanka have experienced sexual harassment in public transport at least once in their lifetime.

She further noted that Sri Lanka ranks 122nd out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index, underscoring the country's significant gender disparity.

The Prime Minister emphasized that gender inequality is a societal challenge that goes beyond gender, religion, ethnicity, and age.

She expressed these views while participating in the launch event of the ‘THRIVE – Together for Her: Resilience-building, Inclusivity, and Voices for Equality in Sri Lanka’ initiative, jointly implemented by the United Nations, the Australian High Commission, and Chrysalis.

Speaking at the event, she also pointed out that although over 60% of university students in Sri Lanka are women, only 35% of women are represented in the paid workforce.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya highlighted the urgent need for effective mechanisms to ensure that women have the opportunity to contribute to the economy through employment.