(New York, March 15, 2007) – The Sri Lankan government’s proposed regulation banning mothers of young children from migrating abroad for work discriminates against women and endangers the welfare of their children, Human Rights Watch said today.
On March 7, Sri Lanka’s ministerial cabinet approved a proposal by the Minister for Child Development and Women’s Empowerment that would ban women with children under 5 years of age from emigrating for work. The regulation would also require mothers with children aged 5 or older to obtain approval from a government committee after submitting proof that they can provide appropriate caretakers for their children.
Human Rights Watch called on the Sri Lankan government to withdraw the regulation, which has not yet been implemented.
“This policy blatantly discriminates against women and threatens the well-being of their children,” said LaShawn Jefferson, director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch. “It would prevent many mothers from supporting their children by banning them from the only form of work they can find.” [Read more]
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