Modern Challenges Faced by Women and Children
Satheeshna Kawishmi
Social welfare and child protection services in Sri Lanka are key support organizations that work towards improving the living conditions of women and children. However, if the challenges and social issues faced in these sectors are not identified and timely policies and actions are not implemented, it can have a significant impact on the country’s social development as well as the safety of women and children.
A multitude of issues faced by children and women are currently the subject of societal discourse. The media consistently highlights cases of inhumane treatment of children by parents and guardians who hold full responsibility for their care, as well as various forms of harassment that women face.

This brings to light problematic situations concerning the responsibility and guardianship of children, necessitating state intervention. It is crucial to raise awareness among parents regarding their responsibilities and to provide them with an understanding of the existing legal framework.
When considering the welfare of women, it is essential that a secure environment be provided for them to function both within society and outside it, and this responsibility lies with all segments of society.
With the advent of modern globalization and technological advancement, such issues are likely to persist. One of the main challenges is cyber violence against women and harmful online speech, which pose significant threats to their safety and freedom. Additionally, the spread of misinformation, unsuccessful knowledge, and inappropriate content through the internet and social media endangers the development of children, prompting risky behaviors.
Women and children are faced with numerous challenges due to internal family conflicts, domestic violence, and issues arising from the lack of adequate protection. Involvement in and encouragement of activities that directly impact a child’s mind affect their development and safety. Maintaining a secure environment and taking educational and legal measures to prevent the spread of insecurity in society are crucial. Specifically, it is a responsibility to create a secure social space for the mental, emotional, and physical development of children.
Social welfare and probation services play a significant and vital role in Sri Lanka’s social development sector. The main goal of these services is to provide safety and protection to women, children, and vulnerable families affected by abuse, and to promote their health, education, and social well-being. The government of Sri Lanka implements such activities through social welfare services and probation services
Social welfare services are programs and policies introduced at the government and local levels that focus on vulnerable populations and social issues, with the aim of improving the living conditions of identified groups. These services are implemented by the government either directly or through local councils in Sri Lanka.
Probation services are institutions that provide social rehabilitation for children and youth involved in illegal or socially disruptive behaviors, as mandated by the judiciary. These services aim to improve the living conditions and reintegrate individuals into society. Through probation services, children and women in Sri Lanka are provided with safety and support, and these services are linked to health, security, education, and legal assistance. Specifically, programs are conducted to support the safety of children from families affected by instability. In 2020, around 15,000 children benefited from programs provided by probation services (Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, 2021).
Child Care Services
Child care services are programs aimed at creating a safe and nurturing environment to promote the well-being and development of children. These services are closely linked to several human development sectors, including health, education, protection, and social security. Child protection is a highly important issue in Sri Lanka. Programs run by the government’s Department of Social Welfare and Probation, especially for children affected by parental neglect or from low-income families, focus on providing specialized support. Additionally, when children face personal challenges, probation officers are responsible for ensuring the protection of their rights. (Department of Probation and Child Care Services, 2022).
Legal Protection
Sri Lanka’s legal system has implemented several laws and regulations to protect the rights of women and children. The Children’s Protection Act No. 22 of 1995 has significantly strengthened state policies to safeguard the rights and welfare of children. This law grants probation officers and social workers greater authority to provide assistance to children who are exposed to problematic social conditions. (Department of Probation and Child Care Services, 2022).
Family Rehabilitation and Women’s Protection
Rehabilitation and protection programs are implemented through probation services, not only for women but also for families. Family rehabilitation focuses on issues such as ensuring family security, finding solutions to family organization problems, and establishing social support systems between men and women. These programs aim to guide women toward new life paths. (Wijesinghe, 2023)
However, it can be pointed out that several challenges arise when providing such benefits.
- Foreign Transactions and Issues
Social welfare and child protection services for children who have been subjected to harm could have been more successful, but these fields face challenges due to insufficient funding and administrative complexities that hinder proper implementation. - Legal Actions and Relationship Crisis
Another significant issue is the challenges faced by children who cannot be directed to professional support and the failure of social actions carried out by probation professionals. - The Role of the National Child Protection Authority
While the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) takes necessary actions to ensure the protection and peaceful living conditions for children, significant challenges and issues arise in ensuring the success of these efforts.
The following measures could help effectively address such challenges:
- Appropriate Policies and Laws
Implementing new laws in child protection and probation services, along with focusing more attention on child protection, will help introduce stronger professional actions at the national level to address these issues. - Regional and International Cooperation
By building enhanced cooperation with regional and international organizations, a more progressive approach can be adopted to ensure the protection and well-being of children. - Need for an Active Social and Legal System for Women and Children’s Protection
There is a need to activate the social and legal system for the protection of women and children. Probation services, through methods like providing security, can deliver positive outcomes for parties affected by social stigmatization or harmful situations.
Social Welfare and Child Protection Services in Sri Lanka
Social welfare and child protection services are key support organizations working to improve the living conditions of women and children in Sri Lanka. However, if the challenges and social issues in these fields are not recognized and timely policies and actions are not implemented, it could have a significant impact on the social development of the country and the safety of women and children.
Related References
- Sri Lanka Social Welfare and Child Protection Department, (2023), “Child Protection Report”
- National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), (2022), “Child Protection and Law in Sri Lanka,” National Child Protection Study
- Department of Probation and Child Care Services, (2022), Annual Report, Sri Lanka
- Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, (2021), “Women’s and Children’s Welfare Programs in Sri Lanka,” Sri Lanka
- Wijesinghe, P. (2023), “Challenges in Probation Services for Women and Child Protection in Sri Lanka”