President Ranil Wickremesinghe has unveiled plans to introduce two Bills to advance gender equality and empower women to be presented in Parliament in May.
The President outlined the key provisions of these legislative initiatives at the national celebrations of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8.
The setting up of a separate commission is envisaged under the proposed Women’s Empowerment Act. The Commission’s primary objective will be to facilitate the advancement and empowerment of women by implementing mechanisms to protect their rights by Constitutional provisions.
President Wickremesinghe said that the draft of this Bill was published in the Gazette recently, marking a significant step towards its realisation.
He said that a draft Bill focusing on gender equality, aimed at securing women’s rights, will be published in the Gazette in the upcoming week. This Bill seeks to establish principles of gender equality across various sectors including social, political, economic, cultural and technical policies, while also providing infrastructure to support these principles. He said that these arrangements will be made through the proposed Act.
The President has pledged to set up a Council on Gender and Social Equality (CGSE), vested with ministerial powers, to address issues related to gender and social equality effectively.
Plans are under way to set up a centre at ministerial level dedicated to resolving women’s issues.
President Wickremesinghe said the Women MPs Caucus of Parliament will engage with various groups regarding these Bills and to propose any amendments to ensure comprehensive consultation and collaboration.
Highlighting the significance of these Bills, President Wickremesinghe said they mark a historic milestone for South Asia. He said he will also implement gender budgeting for the first time in the future, further advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives.
