The challenges of the engagement of Sri Lankan women in the political sphere have been a subject of continuous discussion. The history of women’s political participation extends back to the colonial era and post-independence, when women assumed diverse roles within the political landscape.
Women’s participation was not confined to party politics but was also evident in the involvement of women in social service, philanthropy, and armed struggles, particularly in the north and south, where women made contributions beyond their conventional roles.
Yet, despite the prevalence of women’s wings within almost every political party, the predominant leadership within the central committees of these parties remains overwhelmingly male-dominated.
The stark representation of merely 5% female Members of Parliament (MPs) stands as a poignant reflection of the adversity faced by women in realising their historical contributions within the contemporary political setting. The amendment to the Local Government Elections Act in 2017, mandating a compulsory 25% female nomination, offered a potential avenue for the emergence of women’s leadership at the local level. However, despite this legislative intervention, traditional impediments to women’s political participation persist unchanged.
The restricted access within political parties, coupled with their minimal presence in decision-making bodies, reflects a universal challenge. The hesitations exhibited by women toward political engagement, attributed to the perceived violent nature of Sri Lankan political spaces, adds another layer of complexity.
Furthermore, the excessive financial spending entailed in electoral campaigns serves as a formidable obstacle, disproportionately affecting the participation of women. Deeply-rooted gender norms and societal attitudes delineating prescribed roles and responsibilities for women also construct structural barriers to their political involvement. The convergence of these factors, heightened by prevailing prejudices, has led to a visible underrepresentation of women in the political landscape.
NPP Women’s Movement
In response to the inherent systemic challenges impeding women’s active political participation, the National People’s Power (NPP) has embarked upon a groundbreaking initiative during the last couple of years – the NPP Women’s Movement.
This initiative, unprecedented in the current political discourse, represents a strategic decision that remains unexplored by any other political faction. Moving beyond mere supportive roles, this initiative is oriented towards endowing women with the agency required to effect transformative changes within the prevailing social systems.
The exceptional nature of the commitment undertaken by the NPP not only serves to distinguish the party within the broader political setting but also signals a firm dedication to challenging conventional barriers by mobilising women at all levels of the society.
This commitment is instrumental in fostering a political landscape characterised by inclusivity and equity. Such an unprecedented approach underscores the NPP’s recognition of the urgency to address entrenched gender disparities and actively contribute to the cultivation of a more egalitarian and participatory political environment for women.
Disproportionate impact of crisis
The current economic crisis in Sri Lanka has disproportionately impacted women. Women, constituting the frontline in crucial financial sectors such as the tea industry, garment industry, and migrant labour force – primary contributors to the country’s foreign exchange reserves – bear the brunt of the economic downturn.
The multi-layered challenges confronting women in Sri Lanka include, but are not confined to, issues of food security, child malnutrition, maternal mortality, domestic violence, and reduced access to education and employment opportunities. Women find themselves disproportionately vulnerable to the adverse effects of the ongoing economic crisis and the concurrent implementation of neoliberal economic reforms and policies of the Ranil Wickremesinghe Government.
At this critical juncture, marked by historic significance, the imperative for women’s political participation and mobilisation becomes evident. The significant role played by women in the aforementioned key economic sectors emphasises the necessity of their participation in shaping policies that affect their everyday lives.
Recognising the intersectionality of gender and other socioeconomic marginalisation is vital in formulating comprehensive and equitable strategies that address the specific needs of women in Sri Lanka. The present moment stands as an opportune time for the initiation of substantive and inclusive dialogues, thereby paving the way for the cultivation of a more resilient and gender-equal society.
Organisational groundwork
The NPP has been engaged in extensive and sustained efforts in increasing women’s political participation, a course that predates the visible demonstrations of women’s district rallies.
Notably, NPP Women, an initiative under the NPP umbrella, has been instrumental in organising a series of workshops focused on gender and leadership. These workshops, conducted across Sri Lanka and primarily targeting women affiliated with the NPP, have constituted a fundamental part of the broader empowerment strategy.
Central to these initiatives were the political dimensions of the political economy of gender and sexuality. The workshops further discussed the nexus between women’s politics and the economy, including exploitation, violence, and various forms of discrimination.
Subsequent to the workshops, local women leaders have undertaken forming electorate-based women’s committees that collectively span across the country. This bottom-up approach is marked by the creation of District Women’s Executive Committees, wherein women leaders are identified to lead these committees. The rich network of women’s committees, operating at both local and district levels, underscores the thorough organisational groundwork undertaken by the NPP.
It is essential to emphasise that, presently, the agenda of the NPP extends beyond mere electoral engagement of women; this agenda seeks to foster a cadre of women actively involved in the discourse beyond the elections, demonstrating an understanding of the socioeconomic and cultural complexities that shape broader political issues.
Traditionally, political meetings have often included women engaged in subsidiary roles and supportive activities, while men assumed central responsibilities. However, a distinctive trend observed in NPP Women’s Committee meetings is the active and cooperative participation of men in these gatherings, as well as their involvement in household and care responsibilities to support women who engage in meetings until late hours, facilitating discussions and debates.
This departure from conventional gender roles transcends a shallow reversal and represents a voluntary sharing of labour, instigated by members who have been sensitised through awareness programmes conducted within the NPP on unpaid care work.
A response to conventional mainstream politics
The noticeable presence of women participating in district rallies with their children serves as a significant indicator of the belief that NPP political spaces are non-violent. Furthermore, an essential aspect emphasised by the NPP is its definite response to conventional mainstream political parties that consistently discuss the challenges associated with women’s entry into politics.
The NPP’s policy signifies a departure from this rhetoric, advocating for an extensive and passionate intervention in women’s political participation, surpassing the stipulated 25% quota. Notably, the Progressive Women’s Collective’s 2019 manifesto recommended that women’s representation in Parliament should minimally reach 50%.
The NPP’s commitment to a comprehensive approach in addressing women’s issues via an intersectional approach is notably demonstrated through the endorsement of the Women’s Pledge at district rallies, consisting of 13 articles. The NPP’s deliberate emphasis on intersectionality of class, caste, disabilities, ethnicity, etc. signifies a recognition of the complex nature of women’s challenges and underscores the interconnectedness of gender issues with broader socioeconomic dynamics.
Furthermore, the NPP refutes the commonly-asserted argument by political parties, that there is a scarcity of qualified women candidates to meet the mandated 25% representation in Local Government Elections.
In contrast, the NPP speculates that having a minimum of 50% women representation in Parliament is both necessary and feasible. This assertion highlights the NPP’s dedication to surpassing conventional constraints imposed by gender quotas, actively contributing to the cultivation of a more equitable and representative political environment.
However, it is necessary to mention that this journey is not devoid of formidable challenges. Particularly noteworthy is the backdrop of a society where politics has been entrenched for 75 years as a domain characterised by violence, corruption, and dishonesty. This context is further heightened by entrenched gender biases, wherein the normalisation of the exploitation of women’s labour and bodies persists. The conceptualisation of women’s freedom as necessarily linked to economic justice poses a tough ideological challenge in traditional politics.
The participation of thousands of women in district rallies extends beyond a mere anticipation of bringing the NPP to power. Rather, it reflects an intense realisation among women that they constitute the primary stakeholders in effecting transformative political changes that will shape the country’s future. This ideological shift signifies a noteworthy triumph over the deep-rooted societal norms and emphasises the emergence of women as active agents in reshaping the political landscape.
Currently, tens of thousands of women affiliated with the NPP are actively involved in extensive grassroots organising. This collective engagement is marked by a cognisance that such work will not yield financial or material benefits. Additionally, the passionate sentiments stimulating them are fuelled by a sharp critique of the traditional political parties and their practices, which have led Sri Lanka into a state of crisis.
“A fair society, a free country, a free woman!” – the NPP Women’s slogan!
(The writer is a lawyer, researcher, and a political activist. She is a member of the Progressive Women’s Collective)