Women’s Voice in Development

Preamble

Women’s development in Sri Lanka commenced with the grant of universal adult franchise
with equal access to education and health facilities further enhanced by policy reforms,
legislative changes, introduction of institutional mechanisms and empowerment of women
through participation in social and economic development programmes at all levels.

Women constitute over 52% of the population. They occupy one third of the labor force
contributing a large share to the national economy. Awareness raising on gender equality
has contributed to the visibility of the multiple roles played by women. This has resulted in
the acquisition of basic rights for women and increased access to justice.

Despite these achievements women are still under represented at decision making
levels in governance and employment and subjected to economic exploitation. Marginal
attention is paid to issues of women affected by the armed conflict and women are under
represented in national development planning. Women’ groups have advocated policy
changes especially during the last two decades but without success in the absence of
adequate representation of women in governance and at decision making levels.

Women have been demanding higher representation in governing bodies in view of their
higher voting strength and their proven capacity in election campaigns. Therefore we would
like to request for more participation of women in all governing bodies..

The four areas which need priority attention are:

1) Women and poverty alleviation

2) Women in decision making
3) Gender mainstreaming
4. Women in post armed conflict

1. Women and Poverty Alleviation

Issue

Available statistics in Sri Lanka reveal that 23% of the population falls below the
poverty line and that over 20% of the households consist of women who bear responsibility
for the family.

• One third of women working in agriculture, small industries and in the informal
sector receive low incomes compared to men and lack legislation to protect
their economic rights.

• Women lack equal access to resources, especially land and housing and also
lack employment opportunities.

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 • Women’s unpaid family work at home has not been accounted for nor
recognized

Recommendations

• Amend gender discriminatory laws that prevent women’s equal access to

land, credit, skills and extension services.
• Introduce laws to ensure gender sensitive wage policy for women working in
the informal sector including domestic workers.
• Raise women’s awareness of their rights.
• Quantify women’s contribution to the economy especially those working in the
plantations, factories and in foreign employment.

2. Women in decision making

Issue

a) Despite women being provided with equal opportunities in education and the
existence of a high percentage of educated women, there remains a lack of
opportunity for women to be upwardly mobile in order to reach higher levels of
decision making, both in the public and private sectors.

Eg. Women in Public service senior level 12.8%, Policy makers 10.3%

b.] Inadequate representation of women in the legislature, provincial councils and

local government bodies and in the national list
Eg. Parliament 5.8%, Provincial Councils 5%, local government bodies 1.9%

Recommendations:

• Introduce policy reforms at all levels that promotes equal opportunities by

appointing women to higher decision making levels both in public and private
sectors and ensuring it’s implementation.
• Formulate policy which ensures the appointing of not less than 1/3rd of
women to all governing bodies.

• Ensure that all political parties have not less than 1/3rd of women candidates
in their nomination lists.

• Introduce a quota for women at all levels of governance, national provincial

and local, as recommended by women groups to the Parliamentary Select
Committee on Electoral Reforms.

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3. Gender Mainstreaming

Issue

1) Gender concerns are not adequately addressed when developing policies, programs
and projects and in the allocation of resources. For example programmes that
target women and the mainstreaming of women’s concerns into programmes are
not carried out in a systematic manner.

2.) Low priority given to promote gender equality in the national agenda

Recommendations
• Introduce policy to mainstream gender in all legislation, policies and
programmes
• Promote gender awareness among policy makers at all levels
• Observe Gender sensitivity in the allocation of funds to the ministries.
• Ensure 20% of the national budget allocations is allocated for programmes
that target women in ministries including agriculture and fisheries.
• Consult Women and ensure their participation in designing policies, projects
and programs at all levels and sectors.
• Establish Gender disaggregated data bases in ministries for gender sensitive
planning and monitoring.

4. Women in post armed conflict

The conflict which prevailed in the Northern and the Eastern provinces for nearly thirty
years, Has impacted mostly on women and children of our country. They have lost their
loved ones along with their property and are experiencing psychological trauma apart from
sexual exploitation and violence. Women had to become responsible for the welfare of their
families, while young females joined as combatants. Deprived of their livelihoods and
compelled by circumstances, women have to depend on humanitarian assistance. The
disruption of traditional agriculture and fishing had reduced them to extreme poverty. Their
deprivation had made them also powerless and voiceless.

Issue

a) Although women are the most affected, their needs and concerns are not being
addressed adequately.
(i) Issues of women who bear responsibility for their families
(ii) Increase in violence against women
(iii) Inadequacy of psycho social support services
(iv) Lack of livelihood options
(v) Lack of legal support
(vi) Women are not consulted in the planning, reconstruction and
normalization process.
(vii) Children’s issues are not adequately addressed.

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Recommendations:

• Make the public aware of the increased numbers of women who bear responsibility
for their families and be sensitive to their needs.

• Introduce awareness raising programmes for law enforcement officials to bring about
attitudinal change.

• Conduct awareness programs for women on their basic rights and on the law.

• Expand and further strengthen the services of the women’s desks in police stations
to handle gender based violence more effectively.

• Establish and improve support networks to cater to the needs of women and children
affected by violence; providing counseling, legal aid, shelter, mental health problems
and protection.

• Design policies for provision of inputs to promote home based industries, with a
special emphasis on entrepreneurship training and marketing.

• Provide legal literacy training and legal aid for women.

• Ensure priority in land allocation to vulnerable groups of women during the process
of resettlement.

• Conduct gender sensitive awareness programs for law enforcement officers,

attorneys at law and members of mediation boards.

• Consult women in the design and implementation of projects and programs on

reconstruction and normalization.

• Strengthen the enforcement of laws to safeguard women’s rights and on the

prevention of gender based violence

• Create awareness that authorities are accountable and must take into consideration
and address and improve children’s educational, mental, social and physical needs.

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