Gender-based violence is a growing concern both globally and in Sri Lanka, posing significant challenges to the health sector. A meeting held on the 9th of September 2024, brought together leading experts to address this critical issue, focusing on evaluating the costs and strategies for delivering essential services provided by "Mithuru Piyasa" Centres and the 24/7 Mithuru Piyasa field services delivered by Public Health Midwives attached to MOH offices.

Mr. M. Suchira Suranga, Director of Organizational Learning & Evaluation at FPASL, opened the session, setting the stage for in-depth presentations and discussions.

Keynotes were delivered by Ms. Verena Phipps from the World Bank Group and Dr. Chithramalee De Silva, Director of Maternal and Child Health, highlighting both global and local perspectives. Dr. Manoj Fernando outlined the meeting’s objectives, while Dr. Lakshman Senanayake and Prof. Dileep De Silva presented detailed proposals on the qualitative and quantitative components.

Prof. Anuji Gamage shared the plan for fieldwork, concluding with a productive discussion. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the response and improve support systems for survivors of gender-based violence in Sri Lanka.

This initiative was funded by the World Bank Group. Provincial Directors of Health Services (PDHS), Regional Directors of Health Services (RDHS), and Directors of selected hospitals participated in the meeting.