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Women offered many promises but activists don’t hold their breath
Parties are boasting of addressing women’s issues in their manifestos and at campaign rallies but women’s rights activists question whether MPs will keep their promises once elected.
“Sexual and gender-based violence has increased in our country. This is experienced by women using public transport and in society in general. We will create a society that respects women and aspires to the highest moral and ethical standards to protect girls and women,” the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) election manifesto pledges.
The party wants to make it easy for women to be able to report violence or harassment to the nearest police station. “A 24-hour emotional support and advisory helpline will be established under the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs so that women can contact the centre for support and help,” it said.
A separate unit within the Police Commission would be set up to take swift disciplinary action against officers who fail to uphold gender equality.
The SLPP intends to start a programme to train women for high-demand professions such as nursing.
It will also help women entrepreneurs. “We will establish and expand financial and business development services for rural women to start their own businesses and cottage industries so that they generate an income through home-based enterprise rather than engaging in employment away from home,” the party said.
The United National Party (UNP) has promised change to that will see women holding 25 per cent of seats in provincial councils and says under a five-year plan the number of women in senior decision-making positions would be boosted.
The Samagi Jana Balwegaya (SJB) says it will work to improve prospects for widows having to earn a livelihood and will press state banks to assist home industries, which will strengthen family units. It will also work to end violence against women and improve health and nutrition.
The JVP-led Jathika Jana Balawegaya (National People’s Power – NPP) will change a number of laws to help women: reproductive rights will be deemed women’s rights; the Vagrants Ordinance will be abolished; land ownership will be brought in for female-led households; domestic violence laws will be strengthened; so will laws covering abuse in workplaces and on public transport, and sexual abuse.
The NPP also proposes 50 per cent female representation in all elections.
“Although we have submitted proposals for the benefit of women in the country, it is in the hands of the elected parliamentarians to ensure these promises are made,” Women and Media Collective’s Kumudini Samuel commented.
The Collective has sent all parties its suggestions to aid women. They include a pension scheme for migrant workers, the development of policies for female heads of households, expanded legal definitions of rape to include marital rape, and expanded legal definitions of torture to include sexual violence.
Definitions of forms of violence against women should include technology-related violence and there should be no suspension of sentences in cases of rape and sexual violence, the Collective stated.
“There should be gender balance in the appointment to all independent commissions under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution,” Ms. Samuel said.
Women’s groups want a 24-hour women’s and children’s desk at police stations staffed by trained officers who are proficient in local languages.
They also demand that 3 per cent of the national Budget be devoted to maternal and child health.
“In the post-COVID scenario, the government should focus on the employment generation of returnee migrant workers and women led households while ensuring there are plenty of opportunities for women in the agricultural sector. After every disaster or calamity, women need to be empowered but governments haven’t done enough,” activist Sherine Samarasooriya said.
“There are many self-employed women but there is no market for their products. There is a need to appoint more women in the decision-making levels in state institutions,” she said.