Webinar on ‘Voices of Women Councillors Leading by Example’ concludes on a strong note

The webinar organised by the European Union Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives in partnership with Chrysalis to understand and discuss the problems, challenges and future aspirations of Sri Lankan women political representatives concluded on a strong note recently. 

Participating in the webinar titled ‘Pathfinders: Voices of Women Councillors Leading by Example’ were Councillors from the North, Central and Uva Provinces namely, Karachi Pradeshiya Sabha – Kilinochchi Member Tharmalingam Selvarani, Kundasale Pradeshiya Sabha Member Ajantha Rathnayake, Point Pedro Pradeshiya Sabha Member Santhadevi Tharmaretnam, and Chandrani Kotuwegedara representing the Rattota Pradeshiya Sabha. The event was moderated by Chrysalis Head of Development Services Mohamed Niyaz Ahamed Rislan.

Explaining the aim of organising the event, EU Delegation Head of Cooperation Frank Hess noted that the European Union is engaged in contributing towards democracy, good governance, public participation, transparency and gender equality in Sri Lanka and this webinar provides an ideal platform. “Women representatives in Sri Lanka are shouldering a revolutionary role. It is a timely opportunity that we discuss the problems and challenges they face,” he noted.

Expressing her viewpoint, Ajantha Rathnayake said that in a setting where 52% of the nation’s total population and 56% of the total voter base are women, Sri Lanka has been unable to provide solutions for their political, economic and social issues to-date.

“For example, from the low income earning households to higher-income groups in society, domestic violence is prevalent. As a nation we are yet unable to provide a lasting solution to this pressing problem. In addition, even when distributing land among women there is inadequate lack of provisions. Also when setting wages there is inequality as when compared to what men receive as remuneration, wages of women are on a lower scale,” she stated.

Tharmalingam Selvarani spoke about ongoing work and progress made towards the betterment of children and women in the Karachi Pradeshiya Sabha and nearby areas under her jurisdiction. K.A. Chandrani explained the work that she has carried out in the Rattota Pradeshiya Sabha and surrounding areas including solving problems faced by women, rehabilitation of roads and other work towards social development. She also described the challenges encountered in conducting her work.

“There are severe shortcomings in the provisions that we receive from the Pradeshiya Sabha. That itself is a challenge we face. In order to conduct any political activity the support of male Members of Parliament is very important. If we receive their support we are able to accomplish a considerable amount of work,” Chandrani said.

Furthermore, “the lack of allocating women and children related provisions in Pradeshiya Sabha sub-committees, the non-participation and contribution of women in bidding committees, paying little attention towards the role of women political representatives during the distribution of Pradeshiya Sabha resources, lack of understanding that women political representatives also play a dual role as homemakers are among the main challenges faced”, Santhadevi noted.

“99% of the women political representatives in Local Government are individuals who are new to the political arena. Especially patriarchy that is prevailing in the Local Government is among the greatest challenge that we face,” Shanthadevi added.