A new paradigm– reforming women’s political participation in Sri Lanka

As election cycles come and go, the conversation around the low female representation in Sri Lanka’s political sphere is frequently revisited.  After all, while Sri Lanka boasts of having the first female Prime Minister in the world, the actual percentage of women in politics still stands at a disappointing 5.4% decades later. A recent regional report analysed Sri Lanka’s legal environment and its application over the past decade, examining the obstacles women faced in politics to provide actionable recommendations. 

The regional report titled “A New Paradigm– Building a Regional Coalition to Promote Political Participation of Women in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka” was launched on October 29. In this report, the research on Sri Lanka was conducted by People’s Action For Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) in collaboration with The Asia Foundation (TAF).  

Speaking at the launch, PAFFREL’s Executive Director, Rohana Hettiarachchi remarked that most South Asian countries didn’t have fair representation of women at the policy-making level. “In Sri Lanka there are a lot of women leaders at administrative level, but not many in policy-making and parliamentary level. The future target is to increase meaningful women’s participation.”  

He added that PAFFREL’s commitment to enhancing women’s political participation has spanned over two decades. “Since 2003, we have been working with political parties, the Elections Commission and other stakeholders for women’s political participation. We did a similar research in 2003, but no one was interested at the time.” 

Observations and Findings

Within the context of Sri Lanka, entrenched patriarchal values and social norms have a profound impact on the choices women make, particularly when it comes to breaking into the political sphere. Women face societal expectations, structural barriers, and multiple obstacles that significantly hinder their ability to enter and sustain roles within politics, especially at the national and parliamentary levels. 

A relationship between ‘elitism’ and opportunities to enter Parliament was observed in the study.  Here, “elitism” refers not only to wealth but also encompasses class, caste, educational background, social image, and affiliations that allow individuals a smoother pathway into political office. Although this form of elitism is not exclusive to female candidates, it becomes an additional hurdle in their already challenging journey. The study revealed that the majority of women who successfully entered politics had familial political ties. While this trend is not unique to women—as there are many men in politics who share similar backgrounds—it underscores the barriers for women who lack such connections. 

Another significant observation in the report was the limited leadership experience of many women entering politics. Without a history of holding public roles or leadership positions, many women are less equipped to handle the unique challenges that come with political office. 

Furthermore, although a 25% quota for women at the local government level was implemented in 2017, there are complications in terms of consistency because the 25% quota is not always reflected in the composition of the individuals who are appointed and function at the local government level, the study observed. The research shows that women have been mostly picked by party coordinators based on their personal affiliations. It was underscored that the selection of women has not been fair as it has been difficult to get women to consent to contest, noting that it’s easier to appoint women with political affiliations such as having family members who are already in active politics. 

Financial barriers have always been a factor that hindered women’s participation in politics. In the study, many females reported that they feel underpaid, which limits their ability to hire domestic help. As a result, they are often forced to juggle household responsibilities alongside their political duties, which have a direct impact on their performance and ability to fulfil political commitments. 

Training and capacity-building efforts targeted at members of local authorities are critical for empowering women in politics. However, the study found that training is typically offered only after women assume office, which reduces its effectiveness. Some women, already appointed, may not feel the need to attend these programmes. This absence of pre-office training limits the opportunity for women to fully engage with and benefit from skills development that could be vital for their political growth. 

 Recommendations 

The report emphasised the necessity of skill and capacity development programmes to strengthen women’s representation in politics. Building capacity for women’s political engagement involves a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing decision-making abilities and leadership skills, helping them become more effective and successful politicians.

The study recommended that political parties include capacity development and skill-building programmes for younger women and potential nominees. This initiative would provide future candidates with the tools to better understand the complex dynamics of political leadership while fostering connections between emerging female leaders and their communities. In addition, voter education programmes should incorporate sessions focused on promoting women’s political participation. This would underscore the vital role voters play in electing suitable candidates for leadership roles. 

To address the persistent financial barriers that prevent many women from actively participating in politics, the report advised that criteria be established to ensure equal access to campaign resources for all candidates, regardless of gender. The recommendation extended to suggesting that independent female candidates be provided with avenues for financial support, enabling them to run campaigns with adequate resources. 

Within political parties, there should be an increased focus on gender sensitivity. Party leaders are encouraged to incorporate the unique needs of female members when making decisions and to implement measures that address potential gender discrimination at all levels. The report also emphasised the importance of maintaining confidentiality within systems that address gender-specific issues, particularly among local authority officials and lawmakers.

The study suggested that local governments should promote a culture of shared responsibility and collaboration to enhance women’s political participation. Strong, structured community advocacy is recommended to portray female politicians as capable and committed representatives. An online platform should be created to advocate for affirmative action, with the aim of increasing mandatory quotas for female candidates at local and national levels. 

Monitoring is another critical component in supporting women in politics. The report recommended that a team be trained to assess the obstacles faced by female legislators. Leveraging media outlets—both electronic and print—could help boost the public perception of female politicians by highlighting their contributions to the community. 

The report advised that experienced female politicians establish a mentorship framework, guiding and supporting future female candidates as they navigate the political arena. This structure would allow seasoned politicians to offer advice, encouragement, and guidance, which could be instrumental in building a stronger pipeline of capable female leaders. 

In conclusion, while the challenges facing female politicians in Sri Lanka are numerous and multifaceted, the recommendations outlined in this report provide a clear pathway forward. With concerted efforts from political parties, government bodies, and society at large, Sri Lanka can work towards a political landscape that is more inclusive, equitable, and representative of its entire population.