August 27, Colombo (LNW): A 2019 survey conducted by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) has revealed that nearly 40 per cent of women in Sri Lanka have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives.
The survey, which spanned all 25 districts and included women aged 15 and above, focused primarily on intimate partner violence.
The findings highlight troubling statistics: nearly half (49.3 per cent) of women who suffered sexual violence did not seek formal assistance, with over 52 per cent citing concern for their children as the main reason for remaining in abusive environments.
Additionally, 21.4 per cent of women initially concealed their experiences of sexual exploitation due to feelings of shame.
Cultural attitudes also play a significant role in perpetuating these issues. The report found that nearly half (47.5 per cent) of the women agreed that “a man should be the boss,” while 46.5 per cent believed that “a good wife obeys her husband even if she disagrees.”
Disturbingly, over a third of the respondents accepted that men might have justifiable reasons to hit their wives.
The psychological toll of partner violence is severe, with a quarter of affected women reporting symptoms of depression, and 35.7 per cent admitting to having suicidal thoughts.
Furthermore, approximately 60 per cent of women who experienced physical violence had children who either witnessed or overheard these incidents, resulting in lasting trauma for the younger generation.
Personal testimonies included in the report reflect the despair many women feel, with one victim stating, “I didn’t think I’d survive… I didn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel,” while another pleaded, “Please relieve us from this hell we are living in.”
These statements underline the urgent need for societal change and increased support for survivors of domestic violence in Sri Lanka.