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As enacted

Act of Parliament

Women Empowerment Act 2024

Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.

Official translationFrom Department of Government Printing, unchanged

s 1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Women Empowerment

Act, No. 37 of 2024.

s 2Objects of the Act

The objects of this Act shall be -

(a)

to make provisions for the advancement and empowerment of women by introducing mechanisms to secure women’s rights subject to the provisions of the Constitution;

(b)

to introduce mechanisms to give effect to the obligations undertaken by the Government of Sri

Lanka in relation to women in terms of the

Convention on the Elimination of All forms of

Discrimination Against Women, and in terms of applicable laws;

(c)

to formulate and implement the national policy for the advancement and empowerment of women by timely interventions at all levels across all sectors and developing a framework to facilitate and ensure empowerment of women;

(d)

to protect women from all forms of discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation;

(e)

to take steps to prevent discrimination, marginalization, sexual harassment and violence against women and to strengthen the measures for the prosecution and punishment of acts or omissions relating thereto;

(f)

to make recommendations for law reforms as a matter of priority, in order to provide for the prevention of discrimination against women, and empowerment of women;

(g)

to promote the realization of, and ensure equality and justice for women and take measures to ensure as far as possible, women’s participation in all measures and mechanisms connected with administration of justice and the equal representation of women in decision making structures and positions at every level within the

Government;

(h)

to ensure economic empowerment having special regards to women with disabilities;

(i)

to conduct public education programmes relating to all aspects of empowerment of women; and

(j)

to promote and revision of laws and procedures for the purpose of ensuring equal salaries between men and women engaged in employment with equal value,

s 3Protection and advancement of women’s rights

Every woman shall be entitled to women’s rights and no women shall be denied of such rights.

Part I

Establishment of the National Commission on Women

Part II

Powers of Inquiry and Investigation of the Commission

Part III

Ombuds for the Women’S Rights and Staff of the Commission

Part IV

National Fund for Women

Part V

General