Monday, 9 March 2015 00:00
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Yesterday the world celebrated International Women’s Day under the theme ‘Make it Happen’. For years our country has been speaking about women’s empowerment, however female representation in politics, key decision-making positions and in the business sector is very low in Sri Lanka in comparison to other nations.
Although Sri Lanka produced the world’s first female Prime Minister and South Asia’s first female President, it ranks 140 out of 153 countries in terms of female representation in Parliament (less than 6%), which is one of the lowest in the world. This low participation of women in politics could be due to various cultural, social, economical and political reasons. However, it is tragic that most women in Sri Lankan politics enter the field upon the demise of a family member in politics, by basically volunteering to fill the political vacuum created by the death of a husband or father, usually emerging as a deeply-driven force demanding justice for the dead family member.
Women were used in the past and are still being used as ‘substitutes’ for men in our country. This is what needs to change. The necessity for a new political culture concerning women, one which promotes and uplifts female participation in active politics, is urgent. This social change is not only required in politics but also in women’s education, health, economic stability, safety and independence.
It wouldn’t be right to state that nothing has been done in the past to uplift social standards of women. Many steps have been taken, yet the implementation of measures has been limited. For example, the Sri Lanka’s Women’s Charter, approved by the Government in 1993, insists that the country must guarantee a reasonable proportion of women in the nomination procedure at elections, while the National Action Plan on the Rights of Women seeks to ensure 30% minimum representation of women at national level politics.
Nevertheless, despite these promises and efforts, female representation in Sri Lankan politics remains very low. It is vital that reforms electoral system reforms are introduced to amend and improve this situation while also creating positive change in mindsets in relation to women’s engagement in politics.
A similar need exists in corporate board rooms too. Sri Lanka's economy is powered by women, given their engagement in apparel, tea and migrant labour – three major earners of foreign exchange. A sizeable number is employed in white collar jobs and in senior management too, although only a few have found their way or been invited to serve on boards of directors. The latter is a global challenge.
Overall, most women’s issues still remain unsolved in Sri Lanka. Not only do they sometimes become victims at their workplaces, but this fate also befalls them in their own homes due to sexual, mental or physical abuse. This is why a significant shift in thinking in the country’s social system is required.
Therefore, now that there is talk of reforming the electoral system, let us hope that ultimately when (and if) these changes are introduced under the 100-day program, the Government will allocate more support for women’s political, social, economical and cultural empowerment to better their lives – for if they fail to make this change, they will not only be disregarding the rights of women, but the rights of half of the nation.
