Finding Hope in a Helpless Situation: Namali’s Fight for a Fresh Start

Finding Hope in a Helpless Situation: Namali's Fight for a Fresh Start

The EU-funded Support to Justice Sector Project (JURE) is Empowering Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

At a young age, Namali* fell in love with her cousin Sunil. Despite this, her elder sister had her married off to a man from the area in Ratnapura, and Namali had a child from the marriage. When her husband started using her to obtain additional money on the side, she was forced to engage in sexual acts with different men from the village. Namali felt engulfed with shame. Eventually, she got pregnant and had a second baby - this time out of her marriage. A desperate Namali returned to her former partner Sunil.

When Namali arrived at Women In Need (WIN) with Sunil, she was confused and distraught. The couple received counselling, psychological support and legal advice, while Namali's children were also able to access counselling. This gave her hope, purpose and confidence. She sought help in securing a divorce from her husband, so WIN referred her to the Director of the Legal Aid Commission in Ratnapura. The police then transferred custody of the children from her former husband to Namali's mother. Through mediation, probation officers also managed to secure a maintenance fee from Namali's former husband. Today, Namali is earning through employment in a factory, and her children live safely with their grandmother. Namali is grateful for the support she received from WIN and continues to stay in touch with the lawyers and counsellors at WIN's centre in Ratnapura.

Namali is one of more than 1,800 women who have benefitted from the Support to Justice Sector Project (JURE) funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by UNDP and UNICEF Sri Lanka, facilitated by the Ministry of Justice. The project, which is being carried out in close collaboration with key justice sector organizations and stakeholders, offers a comprehensive package of support to the Sri Lankan judicial system.

As a result of JURE's support, more than 1,800 women have benefited from crisis care and counselling through Women In Need (WIN), a civil society organization that works directly with women who have experienced sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). In the meantime, access to legal aid and court counsel has empowered more than 1,000 women across WIN's seven crisis centres and shelters.

The JURE project has also enabled more than 270 women community leaders in all nine provinces of Sri Lanka to serve as Master Trainers on SGBV, legislation, and rights. Each Master Trainer was equipped with resources comprising curated information on women's rights, laws, and the National Referral System to assist women who are victims of sexual and gender-based violence. These trainers can now use their knowledge to spread change throughout their areas.

The JURE initiative aims to guarantee better access to justice for everyone, especially women and those in vulnerable situations. As the world commemorates 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence from November 25 to December 10, JURE serves as a catalyst for a more equitable justice sector.

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the individual.