This project aims to provide legal representation to survivors of domestic violence who cannot afford legal fees, by connecting them with lawyers who will represent them in court, pro bono. The statistics on domestic violence in Sri Lanka are deeply concerning, and given that domestic violence is grossly underreported, it is possibly more rife than we think:
Many survivors of domestic violence are unable to benefit from the protections offered by the law, simply because they cannot afford a lawyer. This project aims to provide support needed by a survivor, from the first consultation, accompanying her to a police station to make a complaint that will trigger the legal process, to drafting the case, arguing it, and obtaining ‘protection orders’ in court.
Virya is led by a group of young lawyers practicing in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Magistrates’ Court of Sri Lanka, including lawyers on the core team of The Arka Initiative.
The Board of Advisors of this project are as follows:
The total cost of supporting a survivor (including legal fees), from the first consultation, accompanying her to a police station to make a complaint that will trigger the legal process, to drafting the case, arguing it and obtaining protection orders from a judge in court, is Rs. 70,000 (approximately USD 217).
If you would like to make a financial contribution to this initiative in support of survivors of domestic violence, do get in touch. All donors will receive a monthly update of the case and the survivor their donation is supporting.
We cannot prevent the first act of violence against a woman, but we can play a small role in preventing the next.
At The Arka Initiative, we strive every day to fight for menstruators in Sri Lanka to bleed with dignity – to be armed with accurate knowledge, to break down the stigmas and to ensure wide accessibility to hygienic sanitary products
The Arka Initiative, in partnership with local actors such as the National STD/AIDS Control Program, facilitates HIV testing drives, free of charge, to the general public.
The Arka Initiative, in partnership with local actors such as the Family Planning Association, facilitates Pap-Smear testing drives, free of charge, to the general public.
A Project by The Arka Initiative, and an effort to produce the most affordable sanitary pad on the market at present, so that all women can menstruate safely, and with dignity.
The Arka Initiative conducts information and awareness sessions across the island, in order to equip young people, men and women with the tools they need to navigate practical issues pertaining the sexual and reproductive health.
Providing reusable sanitary napkins to underserved women across several districts in Sri Lanka.