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Women’s Affairs Minister’s comments on females called into question
The suitability of Tissa Karalliyadda to hold the portfolio of Women’s Affairs continued to be called into question last week by women Parliamentarians and activists. The minister has recently made several remarks about women, some of them in Parliament, that were deemed to be derogatory. For instance, he had said women who worked in non-governmental organizations were not chaste. He was speaking on national television.
UNP Parliamentarian Rosy Senanayake, who has been at the receiving end of sexist comments by fellow MPs, said Minister Karalliyadda lacked understanding of even the basic problems Sri Lankan women faced. She questioned his capacity to perform tasks to advance and empower women.
“He is clueless,” she said. “I think the post should be held by someone who understands the situation.” She also said the Women’s Affairs portfolio should be held by a woman. There were still serious concerns about the position of women, although the country had notched some successes in traditional health indicators related to women, she said.
When contacted for comment, Minister Karalliyadda slammed the phone down after telling this reporter not to manufacture news.
Women’s groups also reiterated their call for the minister to be replaced, saying that someone so irresponsible is unsuitable for the job. “He has been speaking disparagingly of women and making derogatory comments,” said Dr. Sepali Kottegoda, founding coordinator of the Sri Lanka Women’s NGO Forum.
“He has set a very bad example for a man holding a decision-making position related to women.”The Minister had not made any statement or comment condemning the rising number of sexual harassment crimes committed by provincial, local government and pradeshiya sabha members, Dr. Kottegoda said. By his comments, Mr. Karalliyadda has increased the vulnerability of women.
“When women in the South raise issues of advancement or rights, they are met with hostility as the Minister’s attitude and statements have strengthened those opposed to such matters,” Dr Kottegoda said. “There is now a feeling that such measures are not needed. This is extremely damaging to what we have achieved so far.”
“We have written to every high official in the country, including the President, but we have been met with silence,” she continued. “But we are hopeful. In future, too, we will try taking action within the democratic processes of the country. If nothing works, we will write to international fora and push till we get results.”
UNP Parliamentarian Thalatha Atukorale said women MPs are regularly confronted with sexism by their male counterparts, regardless of their political party. “The humiliation is widespread,” she stressed. She condemned Minister Karalliyadda’s frequent comments and said someone holding such high office should be more responsible.
“Irrespective of whether they are in government or in opposition, they should set an example when it comes to sensitive matters such as these,” she said. “We have seen a surge of local government members engaging in abuse with around 200 odd incidents being recorded. The President speaks of ending terrorism four years ago. I think it’s now time for him to start paying attention to these issues and put an end to them.”