Ministry of Women & Child Affairs and Social Security, Sri Lanka

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)