WORKSHOP REPORT Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development Sri Lanka Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development AFPPD-SLPPD National Inception Workshop 16 – 17 February 2017 | Negombo, Sri Lanka Contents OPENING SESSION ..................................................................................................................................... 2 Workshop Opening ................................................................................................................................. 2 Opening Remarks .................................................................................................................................... 2 WORKSHOP INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 7 AFPPD’s Strategic Priorities Framework (2016-2019), Workshop Objectives and Agenda Overview .................................................................................................................................................. 7 SESSION 1 AND 2: Role of the National Committee-SLPPD in Supporting Parliamentarians to Prioritize Agenda into Action ............................................................................................................... 10 Roles and Responsibilities of National Committees, and Priorities and Developments from the ICPD, the MDGs and the SDGs ............................................................................................................... 10 Why Parliamentarians Need to Advocate on Population and Development Issues: Their Role in Accelerating the Achievement of the SDGs ......................................................................................... 12 Discussions ............................................................................................................................................ 15 SESSION 3: Active Ageing in Sri Lanka ................................................................................................ 17 Overview of the National Policy of Senior Citizens, Sri Lanka ........................................................... 17 Demographic and Population Processes and Their Linkages to Social Policies............................... 20 Discussions ............................................................................................................................................ 23 SESSION 4: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment ............................................................. 25 Overview of the Legal and Policy Framework on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment 25 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment ................................................................................... 28 SESSION 5: Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) .......................................................... 31 Overview of the Legal and Policy Framework on SRHR..................................................................... 31 Mainstreaming SRHR in Crisis Management and Emergency Response .......................................... 34 Discussions ............................................................................................................................................ 37 SESSION 6: Youth Policy ......................................................................................................................... 38 Sustainable Development Bill/Act ....................................................................................................... 38 Overview of the SDGs and Youth .......................................................................................................... 40 Discussions ............................................................................................................................................ 41 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................. 43 Recap of Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 43 Closing Remarks .................................................................................................................................... 45 ANNEX........................................................................................................................................................ 46 © Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) 2017 No. 128/101, Suite 9-C, Phayathai Plaza Bldg., Phayathai Road Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand 10400 1 Tel: (66) 2 2192903-4, Fax: (66) 2 2192905, Website: www.afppd.org Email: [email protected]; [email protected] OPENING SESSION AFPPD Executive Director, Dr. Mika Marumoto, opened the workshop followed by remarks from the Sri Lankan Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare, Hon. S.B. Dissanayake, and UNFPA Representative, Ms. Kristine Blokhus. (Photo: AFPPD) Workshop Opening Chair: Dr. Mika Marumoto, Executive Director, Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) AFPPD Executive Director, Dr. Marumoto, welcomed the participants and expressed her deepest appreciation to Hon. Minister S.B. Dissanayake who was the leading force behind the establishment of the Sri Lanka Forum for Parliamentarians on Population and Sustainable Development (SLPPD) in October 2016. Dr. Marumoto then proceeded by introducing the speakers of the opening session. Opening Remarks Hon. Mr. S.B. Dissanayake, Chair of SLPPD and Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare Hon. Dissanayake welcomed the participants and expressed his expectations for the workshop, highlighting the need for parliamentarians to work on a common agenda in a more meaningful manner. He presented three main topics of the workshop, starting with ageing. The Asia-Pacific region is currently home to over half of the world’s elderly population and is experiencing a rapid expansion of ageing population as a result of improved life expectancies and declining fertility rates. The number of elderly in the region is expected to triple from 438 million in 2010 to 1.26 billion in 2050. The second topic evoked by Hon. Dissanayake was gender equality and women’s empowerment. He highlighted the measures adopted in the past that have effectively increased women’s participation in the region, ensured their fundamental human rights, and improved their nutritional status. 2 The third topic covered by the workshop was investing in youth. The Asia-Pacific region is home to more than 60 percent of young population aged 15 to 24. They are a major human resource for development. They are also key agents for economic development and a driving force in technical innovation. However, the full potential of youth across the region is largely untapped as many of them still face obstacles in their access to education, healthcare, employment, and civil participation. Hon. S.B. Dissanayake, MP and Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare in Sri Lanka, highlighted the three central topics of the workshop: ageing, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and investing in youth. (Photo: AFPPD) Hon. Dissanayake then commented on Sri Lanka’s situation, emphasizing ageing issues. The Sri Lankan population is ageing fast. By 2040, 25 percent of the population will be over 60 years of age, placing the country in the same position as many European countries and Japan today. This will become a major challenge for the country unless the development process is improved in a sustainable way. The main drive behind the rapid ageing in Sri Lanka is family planning, which led to a manageable population and better social achievements among families. However, this ageing speed has also become an increasing concern as the present intergenerational care system of the elderly is unlikely to sustain itself. For instance, more families need increasing support as the number of income-generating family members has decreased. Additionally, it is difficult for the State to support the 63 percent of population working in the informal sector, and the population concerned has to continue working into their old age even with infirmities. Women in their senior years will be particularly vulnerable and more dependent on family support as their labor force participation is low and their life expectancy is higher than men. One should also consider the rights of the elderly: the right to work, the right to choose, and the right for protection and support. The policy framework should take these rights into account and ensure social protection and well-being of the elderly. While drafting policies, it is crucial to take into account the experiences of other countries which have faced similar ageing phenomena. There is also much to be understood about the ageing population in Sri Lanka, such as their varying levels of productivity, their care needs and the ways in which they can contribute to the welfare of their families and society. Therefore, it is important that Sri Lanka conducts ageing specific surveys, so that informed and appropriate policy responses can be devised. 3 Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Officer-in-Charge, UNFPA Sri Lanka Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Officer-in-Charge of UNFPA Sri Lanka, stressed the role of parliamentarians in supporting and advocating development and population issues which are also in line with UNFPA’s objectives. (Photo: AFPPD) Ms. Blokhus congratulated SLPPD for its re-establishment. She stressed the crucial role of parliamentarians