Welcome back to In Conversation with yours truly. Today, I am featuring an exemplary individual who has had an illustrious career in the legal field and activism. She uses her creative prowess as a tool to address pressing issues among children, and has participated greatly in addressing them especially during her tenure as the former Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority of Sri Lanka. Being a recipient of the Woman of Courage award from the US Secretary of State, and the Commonwealth Points of Light award from Her Majesty the Queen, her involvement in the field goes beyond the recognition within our borders to global level acknowledgements. It is with pleasure I am featuring Marini De Livera today on my column.

Marini, I'd briefly like to hear a bit about your childhood, schooling days and family.

Being the youngest child of a very big family I would say that I was a creative, yet a difficult child who didn’t want to conform. I grew up surrounded by pets and had a knack for the arts, music and acting in plays. I initially, studied at St.Bridgets Convent, and later joined Devi Balika.

What inspired you to learn the law and serve the community in that arena?

My father was a judge of the Constitutional Court and later was the Chairman of the United Nations Human Rights Committee. From a very young age he was vocal about empowerment of women and the need for girls to educate themselves and be independent. My mother also played a role in showing me the world; would take me to show the slums near the railway crossing close to our home that made us think of circumstances for the disparity among people. I learned from her as I watched her comforting women who were undergoing family problems. Therefore, a sense of social justice and volunteerism was instilled in me from a very young age.

What are some of the major highlights in your career as a lawyer, and social activist?

As a lawyer nothing is as memorable as standing up in court representing clients in difficult cases and being able to convince the judge and promote new jurisprudence through a holistic approach to law. Also, after the end of my tenure as the Chairperson at the National Child Protection Authority, I was able to conceive and develop the idea for the organization Sisters-at-Law. I am also thankful for the recognition I have received throughout, especially as a recipient of the Woman of Courage award from the US Secretary of State, and the Commonwealth Points of Light award from Her Majesty the Queen of England.

What was your work scope like as the Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority of Sri Lanka?

The National Child Protection Authority Act was a very powerful piece of legislation. One of its main functions was the monitoring of court cases related to child abuse. I would personally attend court hearings in different parts of the country, instead of sitting in my office; to determine why justice was delayed and what was blocking the judicial process. Another memorable part of my work was giving life to the Blue Bird Mascot named “Bindoo Bird” which represented a theatre group we created. The group would commute in different parts of the country to create public awareness on Child Rights and laws relating to children.

As a female role-player in the sector did you have to face any challenges?

Whatever I did there were lots and lots of obstructions and obstacles. The Sri Lankan society is yet to recover from certain heavy patriarchal ideologies. Although, gender equality is enshrined in the constitution it is not yet materialized in practice and is a myth. There is a huge gap between theory and practice. Many strong women are denied of opportunity to be problem solvers and to effectively make vital contributions for happier and better communities.

In your professional experience or opinion, what is a key issue faced by children or young adults that deserves more attention and input?

Children find it difficult to have people around them who they can trust and talk to. Children are considered chattel and are not considered “sight holders”. There is more emphasis on education and occupational matters than of being a good human being. It is not only the physical growth that the system has to nurture, but also the mental and spiritual attributes.

As someone who championed child safety in Sri Lanka, what are the legal and policy-level changes that can help improve the current condition of children?

A large number of children are kept in cruel and horrible conditions within the orphanage ecosystem. We are in need of alternative forms such as family based care, with the gradual decrease of child development centers that have questionable practice. I understand that a cabinet decision has been taken in 2018, which is yet to be implemented. Also there should be child courts throughout the country. Law enforcement sector needs trained police officers who are committed to promote and protect the rights of children. Cybercrime related to children is also an area that really need careful studying.

How can the education sector help in creating a healthy mind-set to support the growth and safety of children?

It is important to create children-friendly schools that are not just about the infrastructure but also about positive discipline instead of corporal measures and punishment. Most of the children who are with me in children shelters have dropped out of schools as they have become very violent places.

What are the familial and parental responsibilities to ensure child safety?

There has to be effort put into making homes happy, relaxed and violent-free spaces, and of course “listening” to kids goes a long way. Children should feel free to express their views and interact freely with grownups and voice their fears, dreams, ambitions, and even the mistakes they have made.

Marini, what is in the pipeline for you, in terms of your endeavors?

I am moving forward with the advocacy and lobbying for family based care instead of orphanages that have functioned with a prison-like work ethic. I am also helping teenage girls who are in my shelter to blossom into strong women that can make the country certainly a better place.

I am also looking forward to updating the legal textbook written by my late father Dr. Joseph A L Cooray, LLD (UK). It is a prescribed text utilized in law schools in Sri Lanka and universities around the world. With time it is a special objective for me to creatively approach and publicly share the knowledge of law, through art, theatre, and user-friendly material.