Violence against women continues after the tsunami
Colombo (AsiaNews) More than 60 women's groups have formed the Coalition for Assisting Tsunami Affected Women (CATAW) in Sri Lanka to address threats to the physical and psychological safety of women and children who survived the December 26 tsunami.
According to the coalition, it is vital that women be protected and empowered in rehabilitation projects.
Its representatives undertook fact-finding missions to tsunami-affected areas that confirmed allegations of rape and abuse matching media reports which had already reported cases of alleged rape and sexual molestation of women survivors in the days immediately after the Tsunami and even later when they sought refuge in temporary camps.
CATAW said there is "a sense of widespread insecurity and fear in most camps, with stories of attempted molestation and coercion by men, including some who were in charge of the camp."
Women were reportedly troubled by alcohol abuse which increases the risk of sexual abuse.
Despite the dangers, the researchers said the authorities showed very little awareness of the risks women refugees faced. Worse still, there are hardly any adequate mechanisms to hear complaints and take action against perpetrators. In fact, so far very few cases have actually been reported, doubtless due to fear or stigma.
For CATAW activists, this comes as no surprise since there are "problems associated with reporting such violence at the best of times".
There is little doubt that things are worse since many women have found themselves completely alone in post-Tsunami circumstances.
"Years of working with conflict and internal displacement have taught us," a CATAW spokesperson, "that where law and order breaks down, where safety networks provided by family and community have disappeared, women become most vulnerable to a range of violations of their rights, including sexual and physical violence."
CATAW has urged the authorities to put women's protection at the top of its relief and rehabilitation agenda insisting that women be included in decision-making bodies at all levels, starting with women's committees in all camps for displaced people
The women's organisations forming part of CATAW work on women's rights, social justice, democracy and peace in Sri Lanka. Women of all ethnic and religious communities are represented in the coalition.
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