Mar 07, Colombo: A women's organization in Sri Lanka, Women For Rights, states that there is a need for a society that respects and genuinely loves women.

Vice President of the organization, Samanmali Gunasinghe said that Women's Day is a day of historical importance and should not be limited to being celebrated by an individual or institution.

She observed that the plight of women have worsened when the 103rd International Women's Day is being celebrated this year.

She explained that women in the country have lost the right to live peacefully.

"Women have to go to foreign countries as they are unable to provide for their children and are also faced with issues like violence against women, denial of freedom and economic oppression," Gunasinghe said.

She added that government statistics have revealed that violence against women has increased by 98% and child abuse has increased by 168% between 2000 and 2013.

Gunasinghe pointed out that women should not be faced with such issues if there's democracy in the country where fundamental rights are protected.