Japan to strengthen protection of vulnerable population in Sri Lanka

Japan remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening the protection and empowerment of vulnerable populations in Sri Lanka, Kamoshida Naoaki, Minister/Deputy Head of Mission of Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka said.

He was speaking after the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with funding assistance from the Government of Japan, successfully renovated the Bureau f or the Prevention and Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women (PCWB).

The handover ceremony, which took place at the refurbished premises, was graced by the presence of Sunil Watagala, Deputy Minister for Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Kamoshida Naoaki, Minister/Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, Priyantha Weerasooriya, Acting Inspector General of Police, and Ms. Kristin Parco, Chief of Mission for Sri Lanka and the Maldives of IOM.

This endeavour was undertaken as part of the project, ?Supporting migrant returnees and communities in vulnerable situations to uplift their livelihoods, enhance their skills, and promote safe and regular migration? (?UPLIFT?), funded by the Government of Japan. The support extended included the renovation of the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, and the 109 Public Complaint Desk. Additional assistance included upgrading temporary accommodation facilities for women survivors of violence with a dedicated space for children, conducting trainings on ?Identifying and Responding to Human Trafficking? for 109 hotline operators, and equipping 19 PCWB Divisional Offices in the Nuwara Eliya District with furniture and IT equipment. The total expenditure for these efforts amounted to USD 166,000.

The principal aim of these interventions is to strengthen the capacity of the PCWB to handle critical cases of trafficking, abuse, and other crimes affecting children and women. This initiative aligns with IOM?s broader objective to support the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) in its mission to counter trafficking-in-persons in Sri Lanka.

The successful implementation of these upgrades is the outcome of a thorough assessment conducted by IOM to ensure that the renovations complement the unique operational needs of the PCWB. Deputy Inspector General of Police Renuka Jayasundera, Head of the PCWB, expressed immense satisfaction with the renovation process, which was carried out within an accelerated timeframe, and remarked, ?This facility is a beacon of hope for countless women and children in desperate need of assistance. The renovations not only enhance the safety of our survivors but also improve our ability to support them with dignity and respect. We are grateful to IOM and the Government of Japan for their unwavering support in making this possible.?

IOM?s support to the PCWB extended beyond donating physical infrastructure and included training and capacity building, to equip staff with the necessary skills to handle cases with sensitivity and expertise.

IOM provided capacity-building support to selected officers of the newly established 109 hotline dedicated to receiving reports of abuse of women and children, to effectively identify trafficking cases, and utilize victim-centric and trauma-informed approaches when handling cases.

Kamoshida Naoaki, Minister/Deputy Head of Mission of Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka stated, ?By renovating this Bureau and strengthening the capacity of officers who work directly with victims, we believe we are making meaningful strides in preventing abuse of women and children. We sincerely hope the equipment provided under this project will be effectively used for years to come.?

Kamoshida also added, ?Japan remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening the protection and empowerment of vulnerable populations in Sri Lanka. Let us continue to work together for a future where women and children are free from violence and exploitation.?

Kristin Parco, Chief of Mission for Sri Lanka and the Maldives of IOM, commenting on the milestone, noted that, ?IOM, in recognition of the importance of capacitating state institutions towards the fight against trafficking-in-persons, has provided multifaceted support to the Government of Sri Lanka over the years. Our support has been tailored in alignment with the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2021-2025).?

?We are confident that with the upgraded facilities and capacitated officers, the PCWB will continue to make significant strides in combating trafficking, violence, and other crimes that disproportionately affect women and children,? she added.

These efforts, aimed at bolstering the PCWB?s holistic operational capacity, align with IOM?s strategic objective of ?saving lives and protecting people on the move,? enhancing resilience among the most vulnerable. (Colombo Gazette)