Joining forces to ‘Break the Silence’

Tarangee Muthucumarana

Uwasara Arambewela

Namalee Herath

The Sri Lankan culture, as structurally ambiguous as it is, has keenly held a traditional disparity between the genders throughout the years. These aged, and often baseless, differences and cultural notions continue to restrict women and liberate men, which is in turn supported by the ingrained misogyny being vigorously practiced and protected by lawmakers and the lawbreakers alike. 

As a result, the concepts of ‘sexual violence’ and ‘gender based discrimination’ have probed their roots into our collective conscience to such a morbid extent, that most of the society has simply composed themselves to either accept it or blindside such narratives, leaving the next in line to confront and hopefully resolve it, in true Sri Lankan fashion. 

However, determined to address this growing threat against the female community and society as a whole, the members of the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts, in collaboration with Youth Govern Sri Lanka, initiated a project in December last year under the apt title ‘Break the Silence,’ inviting any and all who have suffered from sexual violence or gender-based discrimination, to share their story through their own testimonials. 

This timely endeavour then culminated in an extensive panel discussion held online on 25 January, where spokeswomen Tarangee Muthucumarana, Uwasara Arambewela and Namalee Herath provided their own insight into the topics of discussion, and additional legal advice stemming from their respective fields. 

When Youth Govern SL, an independent non-profit organisation led by students both within and outside the country, joined forces with the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts, their initial step was to gather true experiences regarding sexual violence and gender-based discrimination.

In a rather expected yet deeply unfortunate turn of events, their open invitation for these testimonials ushered in the voices of an unflatteringly large number of victims, which visualises an already catastrophic situation this culture has grown to ignore. 

The current social constructs have been doused in misogyny and sexism for too long and has resulted in women within Sri Lanka and numerous other Asian contexts being traditionally silenced as part of the norm. Therefore, their reluctance to voice their opinion comes from a place of deep-rooted anxiety and fear.

Menasha Samaradiwakara, who represents both organisations in this project, mediated the panel discussion, aiming important questions at the spokeswomen which were tailored to fit in with their respective careers. 

Tarangee Muthtucumarana who is a lawyer by profession and also functions as the Director of Yeheliya Foundation, provided important legal advice and her personal take on the matters of sexual violence. The numerous incidents she has come across in her practice, and the current reaction of the legal system to this very issue were included in her areas of focus, through which she subsequently pointed out how these incidents are often tolerated and swiftly discredited by most, including the people who have sworn to uphold the law.

This conversation was taken further by Namalee Herath, who functions as the Officer-in-Charge at the Divisional Child and Women Bureau, Gampaha, where she pointed out the various steps that are currently being implemented to counter the problem of such accusations and allegations being discarded in the name of patriarchy. 

Uwasara Arambewela took on the aspects of psychological trauma and the disintegration of mental health within victims of sexual violence and gender-based discrimination, as she shed light on the urgent need for a multi-disciplinary approach to combat the amplifying threat aimed at generations of women in Sri Lanka.

In terms of women’s liberation and security, Sri Lanka has yet to improve its perception, reception, and overall treatment of the female community. The traditional code of silence that has been forced into the minds of most women shall only provide the rest of us with an illusion of security within a society that continues to torment and belittle their very existence.

However, in a culture that readily defaces and mocks any man who dares to stand up for women, the courageous young women of tomorrow shall take matters into their capable hands and usher in the reformation they have longed for, and ‘Break the Silence’ shall be an important landmark in a revolutionary movement that has already begun.

– Rtr Janidu Wijebandara