Sri Lanka has its very own illustrious history in politics where the country recorded the swearing in of its first female.
prime minister; which also marked the first such instance in the world. That was none other than Sirimavo Bandaranaike and she was sworn in as Prime Minister on July 21, 1960.
“Sri Lankan women are not in decision making positions,” stressed Former MP and one time minister of housing and common amenities Ferial Ashraff. Speaking to the Daily Mirror she said that she doubted whether this situation has been caused due to the attitude of the society.
She also raised her concerns saying that the number of opportunities given to women at decision making level is extremely low. Also she mentioned with disappointment that one can rarely a find a woman holding extremely higher portfolios.
On the other hand she doubted how men can take decisions on behalf of women. Ferial is the wife of late former MP M.H.M. Ashraff. She said that she got to know people because of her husband.
She stressed a common norm in this society by underscoring that she wouldn’t have had an opportunity to be known in society if she wasn’t connected to a family with a political background where a male was involved in politics.
“We only have widows, sisters of dead men, daughters of dead men who come into politics. True enough, because that is the only way we get introduced to the public, that’s why the majority of women who enter politics have to have a male involved in politics,” added Ferial.
She appreciates the 25% quota set aside for women representation in politics; an idea which was introduced by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Local Government Elections.
She said that she would appreciate if there is a quota for women in parliamentary elections as well. She sees something positive in this quota because there is at least one opportunity for women to come forward in politics. Moreover she sees a problem with the women in the society too.
She said that women are also casting their votes for a male representative during the elections.
“If you are a woman and contesting at an election where there is a male candidate all the women would vote for the man.
This is because they don’t have the confidence that female politician will be able to deliver. Because females are used to the concept where men are engaged in politics. 52% of the population in Sri Lanka comprises women.
So, who has to change; man or woman? The woman has to change. Women should understand that they should actively participate at the decision-making level,” explained Ferial.
She stressed, “This country wouldn’t be this bankrupt if we had women out there,” said Ferial. She added that if there are not enough women representations in parliament the relevant decision makers at the parliament must have at least a woman consultative body.
“I am saying women have to be consulted. Involve the women in decision and policy making. Appoint consultative bodies comprising women.
Appoint women consultants regarding policy issues. When the parliament makes decisions consider the ideas of women too. When we speak about women’s issues people think that we are trying to convey that women are the best. Here we are speaking about gender balance.
There should be a balance in women and men representation,” added Ferial. In order to change this attitude Ferial said that the Sri Lankan education system should be changed. The education system must convey the message to children about the importance of women and they should be taught about the gender balance and not that a mother is there to cook at home and the father is there to go to work and earn.
“There are things that we learn which are totally not right. Therefore I suggest that both women and men learn-unlearn and relearn. We can’t progress by having gender bias.
Men and women have to work together. The country has to work together. We can’t be divided and progress.
We must get onto the right track. Otherwise, we won’t progress,” explained Ferial.
“We have much child abuse and domestic violence and we don’t see women coming up with suggestions,” Former Colombo Municipal Councilor Sharmila Gonawala told.
She affirmed that there are not enough female representatives in parliament and though there are a few female representatives in the parliament they are not making strong suggestions.
“They don’t make a joint effort. They don’t make a constant effort and at least if the men are not doing anything the women parliamentarians should get together and suggest that this country has to be developed based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 17 which is internationally accepted. I think knowledge is number one and then you have to update and upgrade your knowledge everything else,” said Gonawala.
“There are right women, capable women and right candidates who want to come up, they have not been given that opportunity because there is always a widow, a daughter or a sister coming from a political family.
Even the British have said that we Sri Lankans were not ready to embrace democracy because we would have always voted the wrong people in,” she said.
Gonawala said she was disappointed about how candidates have been elected from the political parties.
What Gonawala suggests is that there should be at least 15% women representation in the Parliament. She added that women candidates who have a “heart and common sense” and who are “capable” of taking the country forward must enter parliament.
“Until there is a national policy regarding the number of women in the nomination list it would be very difficult. To win you have to be in the nomination list of the winning party. I think that is the biggest hurdle that a woman encounters,” added Gonawala.
(dailymirror.lk)
