The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has made recommendations to the government on the National Women’s Commission Bill, the Gender Equality Bill, and the Women’s Empowerment Bill.
The HRCSL recommendations include:
1. Consider amalgamating the Gender Equality Bill and the Women’s Empowerment Bill into a single consolidated Bill.
2. House the Gender Equality Council in the new department to which the Women’s Bureau will be upgraded.
3. Consider naming the said department the ‘Department for Gender Equality’ in view of such a change.
4. Further strengthen the appointment process with respect to the National Women’s Commission.
5. Consider publishing the three Bills as soon as possible to enable meaningful public consultation on their substance.
These recommendations were made in a letter sent by the HRCSL to President Ranil Wickremesinghe on (17th November 2023).
