The National Forum Against Gender-based Violence Sri Lanka strongly condemns the recent incident of grave sexual violence committed against a girl child who succumbed to her brutal injuries of physical and sexual abuse on the 8^th of July 2020. The Forum expresses its serious concern and notes that this is another act of sexual and gender-based violence within the increasing incidence of violence against women and girls in public and private spheres during the lockdown in Sri Lanka as witnessed in the escalation in the cases reported during this period

Globally 1 in 3 women and girls are subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. This culture of violence must never be condoned. Although the Government of Sri Lanka has taken measures to develop laws, policies and programmes to respond to Gender-based Violence (GBV), it remains one of the most prevalent human-rights violations in the country.

We urge the authorities and policy-makers to strengthen the protection of women and children through the law and policies while making sure that cross-sectoral coordination and effective responses, including the timely prosecution of perpetrators are strengthened in the country.

We encourage all citizens to stand in solidarity with and support survivors of Sexual and Gender-based Violence and strengthen the institutional mechanisms to prevent these violations.