PEaCE/ECPAT Sri Lanka Marks Universal Children’s Day with Street Drama Performance

Colombo, Sri Lanka – To mark Universal Children’s Day, which took place on 20th November 2024, PEaCE (Protecting Environment and Children Everywhere) partnered with the Community Police Division to stage a street drama performance in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station. Delivered by the Cinderella Theatre Group, the performance highlighted the urgent issue of child abuse and sexual exploitation, drawing attention to the challenges faced by children in Sri Lanka.

Celebrated annually on 20th November, Universal Children’s Day underscores the importance of children’s rights and their well-being. This year’s theme, ‘Listen to the Future,’ emphasises the need to amplify children’s voices in shaping a world that safeguards their future. The date also holds historical significance as it commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. This treaty, ratified by nearly every country, established comprehensive protections for children’s civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.

While Universal Children’s Day is a moment to celebrate progress, it also serves as a stark reminder of the challenges children face globally and in Sri Lanka. Disturbing statistics reveal the severity of these issues. According to the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), the first six months of 2024 recorded 68 complaints of cyberbullying, many involving nude images of children.

The Children and Women’s Bureau reported 168 cases of underage girls being raped in September 2023, resulting in 22 pregnancies. By October 2023, 131 additional cases were documented, leading to 10 pregnancies. Cases of cruelty surged to 1,016 in the first half of 2024—a 41% increase compared to 2023. These alarming figures highlight the urgent need for collective action to protect children and create a safer environment for them to thrive.

PEaCE, a registered NGO active since 1991, is committed to eliminating child sexual exploitation and abuse in Sri Lanka. Operating under the global ECPAT network, PEaCE’s work revolves around four pillars: awareness-raising, capacity building, research, and advocacy. With initiatives spanning all 25 districts of Sri Lanka, the organisation collaborates with schools, parents, youth, and government bodies like the Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka Police, and the Community Police Division, to name a few.

Notable activities include training programmes for students, youth, parents, teachers and journalists, student debate competitions, and awareness and knowledge-sharing sessions that address pressing issues that fall under the main topic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Yesterday’s event exemplified just one more mission by PEaCE to foster dialogue and drive action to protect the rights and futures of Sri Lankan children.

For more information on PEaCE and to find out how you can contribute, visit www.ecpat.lk or follow PEaCE on social media. You can also join the WhatsApp Community Group – ECPAT Sri Lanka, to keep tabs on the latest news and updates.