Parliamentary Women’s Caucus to counter hate speech

The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus is determined to initiate a policy dialogue in order to formulate strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech in Sri Lanka, its chairperson, MP Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said.

In a statement issued to mark the inaugural International Day for Countering Hate Speech on June 18, Dr Fernandopulle said that there were ample examples attesting to the fact that lewd, suggestive and violative comments are often directed at Caucus members by their male counterparts in parliament – the very place where laws are formulated to govern the country.

“On June 18 this year we celebrate the inaugural International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Recognizing the global rise and concern over hate speech, last year in the month of July, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on “promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech”. The resolution proclaimed June 18 as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.

“Today marks a milestone in the global initiative to counter discrimination, xenophobia and hate speech as for the first time, upon celebrating this day, we are reminded of the need to increase our efforts to address the unprecedented proliferation of hate speech which undermines the respect for human dignity, equality, and peace.

Remarkably, the need and responsibility to counter hate speech lies not merely on the State but a multitude of actors including the private sector, the media and internet corporations, community leaders, civil society actors or simply on individuals.

This is particularly so, due to the fact that in the wake of social media, providing a platform for anyone who has access to the internet to raise their voice, a moral duty is cast on every human being to be aware of and take active steps to counter hate speech.

Thus, it is not an abstract initiative but one that is very relevant to everyone in society as anyone could be a target of hate speech, especially in today’s online-driven world. As simply expressed by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres in 2021, “Hatred is a danger to everyone – and so fighting it must be a job for everyone.”

“This day is of particular importance to women and other vulnerable communities, as they are often the target of hate speech. Being female politicians who are engaged in a vastly male-dominated sector, this day is of special importance to the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and we feel a sense of urgency and responsibility in our role in the global initiative to counter hate speech.

“In November 2021, I took the initiative to write on behalf of the Women’s Caucus to the Speaker of Parliament urging him to take steps preventing verbal harassment of female Members of Parliament by our male colleagues who constitute the vast majority in Parliament.

“We are determined to initiate a policy dialogue in Sri Lanka in order to formulate strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech. A starting point in fulfilling our role in countering hate speech would be to first understand hate speech and its impact, and thereafter, devise mechanisms to identify, combat and counter hate speech”, said Dr. Fernandopulle.