Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
Saturday, 21 December 2024 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Awareness on GBV for HR professionals 
CP awareness session in Praja Shakthi Schools
The John Keells Group commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, reaffirming its commitment to combat gender-based violence (GBV) through sustained initiatives and targeted campaigns carried out by its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) entity, John Keells Foundation (JKF).
This year’s observance included the eighth annual public campaign under JKF’s Project WAVE (Working Against Violence through Education), under the theme ‘stand up, speak out, end the cycle of violence’ with activities such as policy awareness sessions for HR professionals within the Group and public outreach through electronic and social media platforms. Awareness sessions for university students were also planned but deferred due to elections. These efforts aim to foster a safer, more inclusive environment within workplaces and communities.
In an internal communique, JKH Chairperson Krishan Balendra said: “With a female population of approximately 52%, it is very concerning that women still account for only one-third of the labour force. Deeply rooted attitudes play an integral part in limiting the potential of women while incidents and concerns of GBV also deter many from entering or continuing in employment or entrepreneurship. Preventing and addressing GBV is entrenched in the John Keells Group Code of Conduct and reinforced by the Group’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Policy against Sexual Harassment. The Group operates on a zero-tolerance policy for any form of sexual harassment in the workplace and is committed to providing a safe environment for all its people.”
Project WAVE, which was launched in 2014 to address the pervasive issues of GBV and child abuse, completed its 10th anniversary this year.
Speaking of the decade long impact, Head of CSR Carmeline Jayasuriya said: “Our CSR endeavours have complemented the process of internalising the corporate policies and also extended awareness creation through targeted outreach programs and public campaigns. Project WAVE, which is founded on the belief that education and awareness are key to ending cycles of violence, has since its launch in November 2014, impacted over 4.9 million persons including staff of the John Keells Group, target groups such as lawyers, police officers, university students, school children, parents, teachers as well as the general public through campaigns addressing issues such as sexual harassment on public transport and other public spaces, domestic violence and child protection including resource and training facilitation for Sri Lanka Police.”
