Calendar

2015

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)

in Sri Lanka
This calendar has been developed by the Women and Media Collective (WMC) in
partnership with the Asian - Pacific Resource andResearch Centre for Women (ARROW).
For information on the content of this calendar and to find out more about
universal access to sexual and reproductive rights and health services, please contact:

Women and Media Collective

No. 56/1, Sarasavi Lane,
Castle Street, Colombo 08.
Sri Lanka.

Phone:+ 94 - 11 - 2690201/ 5632045 / 5635900

Fax:+ 94 - 11 - 2690192
Email:wmcsrilanka@gmail.com
Web:http://www.womenandmedia.org
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/womenandmediacollective
Twitter:http://twitter.com/womenandmedia

#SRHR4ALL

Funded by ARROW Produced by Women and Media Collective Written by Evangeline de Silva Designed by Velayudan Jayachithra Printed by Globe Printing Works

Photo : Thatchayini Pushpanadan

JANUARY 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Sun

1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
Duruthu Full Moon
Poya Day &
Milad-Un-Nabi
(Holy Prophets Birthday)

Tamil Thai Pongal Day

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

Maternal Health
Myth
Ensuring maternal health is the
responsibility of the mother herself
and health service providers.

Facts
The health and wellbeing of
the mother and baby should be
the responsibility of the entire
community, not only during the
pregnancy but throughout the
lifecycle of both mother and child.
The Sri Lanka National Strategic
Plan on Maternal and New-born
Health (2012-2016) also stresses the
importance of engaging men to play
a stronger and more responsible role
in the health and wellbeing of the
mother and child.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself on how your
action or inaction affects the lives of
mothers and children around you to
ensure that they are well nourished,
happy and free from abuse and
violence.

Photo : Velayudan Jayachithra

FEBRUARY 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Sun

1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28
Navam Full Moon Poya Day

Maha Sivarathri Day

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

National Day

Family Planning
Myth
The small family concept that was
introduced in the 1980s is no longer
valid in Sri Lanka and families should
be encouraged to have five or more
children.

Facts
National data shows that the Sri
Lankan woman will have on average
two children during her lifetime.
Having more than this number is likely
to adversely affect the health of the
mother, children and the family. It will
also place a burden on the economic,
educational and employment sectors
and reverse all the gains the country
has achieved up to now. This may also
reduce the entry of women into the
labour force and prevent them from
fully enjoying their rights as citizens.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself on the health,
social, psychological, demographic
and economic factors that would
enable you and your spouse/partner
to achieve your full potential when
planning your family.

Photo : Nilushka Perera

MARCH 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Sun

30 31 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Medin Full Moon Poya Day

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

SRHR Policies & Services

Myth
All women in Sri Lanka can easily and equally
access sexual and reproductive health
services owing to free and inclusive health
policies.

Facts
While Sri Lanka has a Reproductive Health
Policy (1998) and a National Strategic Plan
and Policy on Maternal and New-born
Health (2012-2016), it does not have an
updated policy that addresses all aspects
of sexual and reproductive health and
rights. Vulnerable sub-populations of
women (young girls from rural backgrounds,
widows, sex workers, female heads of
households, single unmarried women, older
women) and those from sexual minorities
(lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender
persons) are often excluded from services,
programmes and policies, although the
Constitution (1977) guarantees equality and
non-discrimination based on sex.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself on the sexual and
reproductive health policies and services
available. Do they address your needs?
Raise your voice to obtain the services that
you need to ensure your health and that of
your family.

Photo : Sachini Perera

APRIL 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Sun

1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30
Bak Full Moon Poya Day &
Good Friday

Day Prior to Sinhala & Tamil

New Year Day

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

Sinhala & Tamil

New Year Day

Comprehensive
Sexuality Education
Myth
Educating children and youth on
sexual health and rights will encourage
promiscuity and sexual behaviour
among them.

Facts
Knowledge on matters related to
reproduction was less than 50%
among 14-19 year olds (UNICEF, 2004)
and currently, 6.5% of teenagers
have given birth or become pregnant
before their 19th birthday (UNDP/
GOSL, 2014). Not knowing the
basics about their own bodies has
risky consequences for youth. Age
appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality
Education should be made available
through formal and informal means
to reach young people in and out of
school.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself and ask for sexuality
related information to help you make
the right and responsible choices.

Photo : Sharni Jayawardena

MAY 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

SRHR Indicators
Myth

Sat Sun

1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
May Day

Day Following
Vesak Full Moon Poya Day

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

Vesak Full Moon Poya Day

Sri Lanka has positive indicators

and well established sexual and
reproductive health services
throughout the country.

Facts
Sri Lankas impressive national level
indicators in maternal and child
health services hide disparities
among districts. This is shown in the
indicators and service availability
in post-conflict areas in the North
and East as well as the Estate Sector.
Strengthening of family planning
services, services to address
violence against women and
emergency obstetric care facilities is
urgently needed in these areas.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself and those around
you on the services available in
your area. Do you have all the
services you need? Are they
accessible? Can you afford the
services you need?

Photo : Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala

JUNE 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Sun

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
Poson Full Moon Poya Day

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

Gender Identities
Myth
Sexual orientation and gender
identities are not real issues that
concern us.

Facts
The Constitution of Sri Lanka (1977)
notes that it is a fundamental right
of citizens to not be discriminated
on the grounds of sex. However,
Sections 365 and 365A of the Penal
Code makes same-sex relationships
a criminal offence in Sri Lanka.
Denial of a persons sexual
orientation and gender identity
amounts to discrimination among
many and is a human rights violation.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself to be sensitive
to the diversity of people around
you so that you dont judge and
discriminate people based on their
real or perceived sexual orientation
or gender identity. Respect the
right of everyone to be what they
want to be.

Photo : Natalie Soysa

JULY 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Working Women
Myth

Sat Sun

1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
Adhi Esala Full Moon Poya Day

Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramazan Festival Day)

Esala Full Moon Poya Day

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

Women working in the Free Trade

Zones (FTZ) and migrant workers
engage in prostitution, frequently
undergo abortions and have sexually
transmitted diseases.

Facts
There are about 66,036 female FTZ
workers in Sri Lanka (BOI, 2013) and
138,547 women who migrated for
overseas employment (SLBFE, 2012).
The largest foreign exchange earnings
for Sri Lankas economy also come from
the female workforce in tea, apparel and
migrant worker industries (SLMA/IPS,
2014). However, they are often unjustly
labelled and stigmatised by society.
Their economic worth and potential are
undermined through these presumptions
about their morality.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself on how the economic
contributions of the female labour force
including those from the FTZs and migrant
workers contribute to the countrys
economic advancement. Beware of making
judgements on their supposed behaviour.

Photo : Evangeline de Silva

AUGUST 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Sun

31 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Nikini Full Moon Poya Day

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

Unintended Pregnancies
Myth
Because abortion is illegal in Sri Lanka
(unless the pregnant womans life is
at risk), abortion rates and related
complications are low.

Facts
Although abortion is a criminal
offence, 240,055 abortions are
estimated to take place annually
showing an abortion rate of 45 per
1,000 women in the age range of
15-49 years (Rajapakse, 2000).
Further, nearly 12% of maternal
deaths in Sri Lanka are due to septic
abortions- the second most common
cause of direct maternal deaths
(MOH, 2012). Unwanted pregnancies
are commonly due to contraceptive
failure or lack of access to information
on sexual and reproductive health.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself and those around
you because comprehensive sexuality
education, and information and
availability of contraceptives can
minimize the need for abortions.

Photo : Natalie Soysa and Sachini Perera

SEPTEMBER 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Sun

1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
Id-Ul-Alha (Hadji Festival Day)

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

Binara Full Moon Poya Day

A part of the I was. I am. series developed for the 30 Years Ago
initiative by the Centre for Policy Alternatives in 2013.

Sexual Harassments
Myth
Sexual harassment of women and girls
in public transport, employment and
educational institutes is not a big deal
and should be ignored.

Facts
Sexual harassment is criminalized
under Section 345 of the Penal Code
(Amendment) Act, No. 22 of 1995,
the Bribery Act of 1954 and 1980 and
the Prohibition of Ragging and other
Forms of Violence in Educational
Institutions Act (No. 20 of 1998).
However, although prevalent, cultural
norms prevent the reporting of sexual
harassment and violence in Sri Lanka.
Sexual harassment has negative
health, psychological, economic and
legal implications not only for the
family and person being harassed, but
also to the development of the society
at large and should not be ignored.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself to bring about a
culture of zero tolerance of violence
against women in all spheres of society.

Photo : Sachini Perera

OCTOBER 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Sun

1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
Vap Full Moon Poya Day

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

Life-Cycle Approach
Myth
Womens sexual and reproductive health
and rights are relevant only during the
reproductive years of a woman, which
are from 15-49 years. Women over
50 years do not have any sexual and
reproductive health needs.

Facts
In Sri Lanka, patriarchal norms objectify
womens sexuality as subservient to
mens. Her sexual needs and health as
a woman are most often subsumed in
societal demands for her to take up only
the roles of mother/nurturer. However,
a holistic view of the health of a woman
requires that sexual and reproductive
health should be looked at through a
broader life-cycle approach and rights
based framework. This would give equal
importance to womens health needs
from puberty to menopause and beyond.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself and those around
you to ensure that all women and girls,
immaterial of age, can access health
information and services in a nondiscriminatory manner.

Photo : Sanchia Brown

Take a stand against violence against women !

NOVEMBER 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Sun

30 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Deepavali Festival Day

Il Full Moon Poya Day

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

Prevent Domestic Violence

Myth
Domestic violence is a family matter
and some women ask for it, provoke
it, want it or even deserve it.

Facts
Domestic violence is violence taking
place within a household and
includes violence against
in-laws, siblings, married couples
or domestics etc. Violence is the
choice and responsibility of the
perpetrator; victims and others
should not condone it for family or
societal reasons. Everyone should
be informed of and be able to seek
relief through the Prevention of
Domestic Violence Act, No. 34 of
2005, which is directed towards
providing protection and relief for
the victim and other members.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself and prevent
domestic violence and its physical,
psychological, economic, social and
inter-generational affects.

Photo : Evangeline de Silva

DECEMBER 2015
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Sun

1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day

Poya Day
Public & Bank Holiday
Merchantile Holiday

Christmas Day

HIV/AIDS
Myth
You can be denied healthcare
and education opportunities and
employment if you are HIV positive.

Facts
The National HIV/AIDS Policy of
Sri Lanka (2011) endorses nondiscrimination of People Living with
HIV in health and education sectors
and in reproductive and family life.
The National Policy on HIV and AIDS
in the World of Work in Sri Lanka
(2010) prohibits discrimination
against people based on real or
perceived HIV status for purposes of
recruitment or at any other stage of
employment.

Educate yourself
Educate yourself, colleagues, family
and friends about HIV/AIDS so that
you can make safe life choices and
ensure that no person living with HIV
is discriminated.