In an era where social media has become a powerful tool for political discourse, it has also turned into a battleground for targeted harassment against women. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) recently raised the alarm over the rising cases of online abuse directed at women, particularly those in politics and activism. The latest victims of such attacks are Members of Parliament Nilanthi Kottahachchi and Kaushalya Ariyarathne, who faced malicious disinformation campaigns designed to discredit them both personally and professionally. While Sri Lanka has taken steps to legally protect women through the Women Empowerment Act, No. 37 of 2024, questions remain about its implementation and whether authorities are truly committed to enforcing these protections.
A growing crisis of online harassment
Online harassment is not a mere inconvenience; it is a direct attack on women's rights. Female politicians in Sri Lanka have been targeted through:
- Doxing (publishing personal and private information to incite harm).
- Non-consensual sharing of personal content.
- Sexual harassment, defamation, and verbal abuse.
- Coordinated disinformation campaigns aimed at damaging reputations.
According to HRCSL, such harassment discourages women from participating in politics, contributing to Sri Lanka's already low female representation in governance. Women currently hold less than 6% of parliamentary seats, a dismal statistic that reflects the structural and cultural barriers women face in politics.
A study conducted by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) found that 73% of female politicians in Sri Lanka had experienced online harassment, ranging from gendered insults to threats of violence. Yet, few cases are ever investigated, let alone prosecuted.
Is the law enough?
The enactment of the Women Empowerment Act aligns Sri Lanka’s domestic laws with CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women). However, having laws on paper does not equate to protection.
Section 345 of the Sri Lankan Penal Code criminalizes sexual annoyance and harassment, yet convictions remain rare. Law enforcement often lacks the training or willingness to investigate online gender-based abuse. Victims who report cases often face institutional apathy, victim-blaming, or inaction.
The HRCSL has urged the government to:
- Prioritize cyber harassment cases, ensuring impartial investigations.
- Enhance enforcement mechanisms under the Women Empowerment Act.
- Push social media platforms to improve content moderation and reporting tools.
But so far, little has been done beyond issuing statements.
Social media giants: Enablers or allies?
Social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok have become central to political discourse, but their failure to curb abuse enables cyber harassment. While these platforms claim to have reporting mechanisms, many Sri Lankan women report that their complaints are ignored or dismissed as “not violating community standards”.
HRCSL has called for platforms to take greater responsibility, including:
- Better AI-driven content moderation to detect and remove abusive content.
- Stronger account verification to prevent anonymous abuse.
- Faster response times for reported harassment cases.
However, tech companies rarely tailor policies to specific regional challenges. The burden remains on victims to fight for justice in an unresponsive system.
Why this matters for Sri Lanka’s future
The increasing harassment of female politicians is not just a women’s issue—it’s a democratic crisis. When women are driven out of politics due to threats and intimidation, it weakens democracy and silences critical voices.
Political participation should not come at the cost of personal safety or dignity. The government must act now to:
- Strengthen cyber laws to explicitly criminalize gender-based digital violence.
- Establish fast-track courts for cyber harassment cases.
- Provide police with training on handling online abuse complaints.
- Hold social media companies accountable for their role in enabling abuse.
Without urgent reforms, Sri Lanka risks regressing in its fight for gender equality and democratic integrity.
Final thoughts
Online spaces should empower women, not drive them into silence. If Sri Lanka is serious about protecting women’s rights, it must match its legal commitments with real action. Until then, women—especially those in leadership—will continue to fight a lonely and exhausting battle against digital misogyny.
The time to act is now.
NOTE: The author is an advocate for digital governance in Sri Lanka, with a keen focus on policy, cybersecurity, and technological advancements shaping the nation's digital future.