Calling out abuse

Wednesday, 1 December 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Badulla District Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Thissakutti Arachchi was caught up in a scandal this past week, after it emerged that he had made discriminatory and rude remarks laced with sexual innuendo towards Matale District SJB MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna during a speech that was primary meant to be a broadside on the Opposition during last month’s Budget debate.

While Arachchi’s comments won’t be repeated within this column, it’s not altogether surprising that the comments itself were made, and while it is disappointing, it is the lack of action to reprimand Arachchi in way, shape or form, that is altogether more disheartening – and undoubtedly needs to be addressed.

Homophobic and sexist remarks have long been commonplace in Sri Lankan political discourse, and many of them indeed within the halls of Parliament.

The ‘Samanala’ comment made by former President Maithripala Sirisena, aimed at then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, saw the longtime SLFP-stalwart use homophobic language for the amusement of his gallery.

During the last Presidential election campaign, Sajith Premadasa was ridiculed by SLPP MPs on the campaign trail, for speaking out about women’s sanitary requirements and calling for free sanitary pads for schoolgirls. He was even mocked and labelled ‘Pad Man’ after the famous Indian with the same moniker, who was responsible for manufacturing cheap pads for underprivileged women and subsequently had a movie made about him.

In all these instances, the criticism – while vociferous on social media – was fleeting.

And so we come back to Arachchi’s comments, which are yet to be denounced by any member of the SLPP, let alone the President. Even during the time the comment was made, Hambantota District SLPP MP Ajith Rajapakse, who was in the Chair at the time, claimed he had not heard it.

Such cowardly excuses are commonplace and is a microcosm of the conversations that take place across the country.

When such unacceptable comments are made, those who stand by and fail to hold to account the perpetrator are just as responsible.

The SJB for their part have flagged the issue, and while a cynical eye may point to mere opportunism rather than a desire for genuine change being behind the SJB’s stance, it is nevertheless important that we don’t let the political divide get in the way of doing what is right.

The fact is such abuse is just a small step away from more overt sexual harassment, and what confidence do women have of coming forward and reporting such incidents going forward, when ones that happen in the eyes of Parliament and the President of the country himself go unaddressed?

It’s paramount that we as individuals hold abusers accountable for their behaviour, but rather than aim to destroy lives and reputations, provide them a platform to make amends and rehabilitate their behaviour.

Education is key at the end of the day; starting from school level onwards, boys and girls alike need to be educated on things like respect for the opposite sex and what that constitutes. And conversations surrounding consent and abuse should not be considered taboo, but encouraged. It’s only when each of these areas are addressed that we can get closer to resolving an issue that women have had to endure for far too long.