Overview
The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (MWCA) was established as per the Gazette Extraordinary No. 1933 of 9th September 2015. Sri Lanka Women’s Bureau, National Committee on Women, Department of Probation and Child Care Services, National Child Protection Authority and Children’s Secretariat are the Departments and Statutory Institutions under the Ministry. The goal behind the establishment of Ministry of Women and Child Affairs was the creation of Sri Lankan society that is sensitive to the needs of women and children would work for their betterment to achieve this goal.
Major responsibilities according to the Gazette
- Formulation of policies, programmes and projects, monitoring and evaluation in regard to the subjects of women and children and those subjects that come under the purview of Institutions listed in Column II (Sri Lanka Women’s Bureau and National Committee on Women, Department of Probation and Child Care Services, National Child Protection Authority and Children’s Secretariat)
- Adoption of measures for the advancement of women’s quality of life
- Formulation and implementation of strategies for the enhancement of women’s participation and their representation in the sphere of decision making in public affairs and politics
- Adoption of measures for empowerment of women with special focus on groups affected by conflict and poverty, and to ensure gender equality and equity
- Implementation and strengthening of laws and policies for the prevention of women and child abuse
- Formulation and implementation of policies and programmes for empowerment of women-headed households
- Accomplishment of Millennium Development Goals
- Implementation of the Women’s Charter
- Formulation of policies and programmes on early childhood care and development aimed at bringing up a physically and mentally healthy child, coordination and liaison with provincial level committees, and monitoring of activities
- Formulation and implementation of plans, programmes and projects to promote rights of vulnerable children in line with national policies and international standards, thereby ensuring equal opportunities for them
- Implementation of the Children’s Charter
- Implementation of the Sevana Sarana Foster-Parent Scheme
- Matters relating to all other subjects assigned to Institutions listed in Column II
- Supervision of the Institutions listed in Column II (Sri Lanka Women’s Bureau and National Committee on Women, Department of Probation and Child Care Services, National Child Protection Authority and Children’s Secretariat)
Supervision of the institutions listed in column II (Sri Lanka Women’s Bureau and National Committee on Women, Department of Probation and Child Care Services, National Child Protection Authority and Children’s Secretariat)
Vision
A strong nation of women and children with ensured rights that contributes towards sustainable development .
Mission
To formulate,implement,monitor,evaluate and co-ordinate policies and programmes required for the physical and human resource development with a concerted approach in order to create an empowered conductive environment that ensures social, economic and cultural development and rights of women,children and Dry-Zone community.
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History of the Ministry |
Year |
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Women's Bureau in Sri Lanka was 1st established under the Ministry of Plan Implementation |
1978 |
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Women's Bureau in Sri Lanka was re-established under the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Teaching Hospital |
1983 |
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Ministry of Women's Affairs. (Separate Ministry) |
1997 |
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Ministry of Women Empowerment and Social Welfare |
2004 |
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Ministry of Child Development and Women's Empowerment |
2006 |
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Ministry of Child Development and Women's Affairs |
2010 |
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Ministry of Women's Affairs. |
2015 |
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Ministry of Women and Child Affairs |
2015 |