Sri Lanka’s 10th Parliament stands at a crucial juncture in the nation’s political history. With 22 women elected as Members of Parliament (MPs), the country recorded its highest-ever female representation. This significant milestone underscores a long-standing struggle for gender equality in political representation. Establishing the newly reconstituted the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus adds momentum to the efforts to address systemic challenges and amplify women’s voice in governance. While this development marks progress, it also highlights the need for sustained action to overcome entrenched barriers.
Historical context: Women in Sri Lankan politics
Sri Lanka’s history of women participation in politics is marked by contrasts. On the one hand, it became the first South Asian country to grant voting rights to women under 21 years- of – age in 1931 and produced the world’s first woman Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1960. On the other, its progress in achieving meaningful female representation in politics has been slow. Despite constitutional guarantees of gender equality, including Article 12(2) of the 1978 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, women’s representation in Parliament has hovered at less than 6% for decades.
Globally, women remain underrepresented in governance, with only 10,849 female parliamentarians among 46,064 worldwide. Sri Lanka ranks 128th out of 138 countries in the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s rankings for women in political representation. This statistic is particularly stark, given that women constitute over 51% of Sri Lanka’s population.
Breaking new ground in the 10th Parliament
The 10th Parliament, with its record-breaking 22 female MPs, marks a departure from this trend. The composition includes 20 MPs from the National People’s Power (NPP) party and two from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). While this represents progress, the numbers remain far below expectations for a nation striving for gender parity.
The increase in women’s representation follows decades of incremental changes. Previous Parliaments saw modest numbers, with 11 women in the first Parliament, fluctuating between nine and 13 in subsequent Legislatures. The recent increase can be attributed to a growing awareness of the need for gender inclusion and the efforts of advocacy groups and political parties to encourage women’s participation.
Challenges faced by women in politics
Even with progress, women in Sri Lanka face many challenges when getting into politics. Unlike men, women deal with social pressure, financial constraints and cultural attitudes that make it harder for them to pursue political goals. This is especially true for those who don’t have a political background. Political dynasties continue to play a dominant role in Sri Lanka, making it more difficult for women who want to take on leadership roles.
These challenges are not unique to Sri Lanka. Women across South Asia face similar obstacles. However, many neighbouring countries have adopted constitutional measures such as quotas, to address the imbalance. India, for example, has implemented quotas for women in local bodies such as panchayats and municipalities, though its proposed law to reserve two-thirds of parliamentary seats for women remains under debate.
Role of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus
The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, first set up in 2006, has been instrumental in addressing gender issues in Parliament. Over the years, it has worked to empower women in the political, economic and social spheres while advocating to eliminate violence and harassment against women. The Caucus has also fostered partnerships with Local Government bodies, international organisations and civil society to drive its agenda.
The Caucus was recently reconstituted under the leadership of Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, with Deputy Co-Chairs Chamindrani Bandara Kirielle and Samanmalee Gunasingha. Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya addressing the Caucus, emphasised the importance of collaboration beyond political ideologies to achieve shared goals.
Key initiatives discussed at the inaugural meeting include commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on December 6 and establishing a subcommittee to review and report on future programs. These efforts aim to create a safer and more inclusive environment for women across Sri Lanka.
Learning from global examples
Globally, several nations have made significant progress in increasing female representation through quotas and other measures. Nordic countries, known for their high levels of gender equality, consistently rank at the top regarding women’s political representation.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the leadership of female heads of state in these countries received widespread recognition for its effectiveness and empathy.
In Africa, Uganda serves as a notable example. The country has implemented a constitutional quota system, mandating that 60% of seats in Parliament be reserved for women.
This approach has resulted in 64% female representation in Uganda’s Parliament. Similarly, Rwanda and other sub-Saharan African nations have achieved significant gains through constitutional frameworks and reserved seats.
These examples highlight the potential of quotas as a tool to address systemic barriers and ensure equitable representation. While such measures are not without criticism, they have proven effective in creating opportunities for women in politics.
Way forward
For Sri Lanka to build on the momentum of the 10th Parliament, several steps are necessary. First, political parties must actively encourage and support female candidates, particularly those from non-political backgrounds. This includes providing financial assistance, mentorship and platforms to amplify their voices.
Second, constitutional measures such as quotas should be considered to accelerate progress. While such measures may face resistance, they have been effective in other countries with similar cultural and societal constraints.
Third, awareness campaigns and educational programs are essential to challenge cultural attitudes and stereotypes that hinder women’s participation in politics. Engaging communities, particularly at the grassroots level, can create a more supportive environment for aspiring female leaders.
Finally, sustained efforts from organisations such as the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus are critical.
By fostering collaboration across political and institutional boundaries, the Caucus can drive meaningful change and advocate for policies that promote gender equality.
The 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka marks a turning point in the country’s journey toward gender equality in politics. With a record 22 women elected as MPs and the renewed vigour of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, there is hope for a more inclusive and equitable future. However, the road ahead requires continued effort, collaboration and systemic changes to ensure that this progress is sustained and accelerated.
While Sri Lanka has made history with this milestone, it must now look beyond numbers to address the underlying barriers that limit women’s participation in governance. By learning from global examples and with the momentum of the 10th Parliament, Sri Lanka can set a new standard for gender parity in South Asia and beyond.
