Current State
of Gender Equality in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has
made significant progress in improving gender equality in the areas of
education and health. According to the World Bank, the literacy rate among
women in Sri Lanka is 96.3%, which is higher than the average for lower-middle-income
countries. One of the key achievements of Sri Lanka in the area of gender
equality has been in education. The country has made great strides in providing
equal opportunities for both girls and boys to receive an education. The
government has implemented policies and programs to improve the participation
of girls in education, including scholarships, early childhood development
programs, and gender-sensitive teaching methods.
Similarly,
maternal mortality rates have declined dramatically, with a rate of 38 deaths
per 100,000 live births in 2018. These achievements are a result of government
policies and programs aimed at empowering women and promoting gender equality.
However,
despite these successes, Sri Lanka still faces significant challenges in
promoting gender equality. For example, women's labor force participation rate
is only 35%, compared to 83% for men. This disparity is due in part to the
prevalence of gender-based discrimination in the workplace, which results in
women being paid less, being promoted less frequently, and having limited
access to training and development opportunities.
In addition,
women are underrepresented in political life, with only 5.7% of parliamentary
seats being held by women in 2020. This lack of representation limits the
ability of women to advocate for their rights and participate in the
decision-making processes that affect their lives.
However, Sri
Lanka has taken some positive steps to address significant gaps in women’s
electoral representation and achieve greater gender equality. One such step is
the introduction of a quota at the local government level and a new electoral
system with a quota at the provincial level.
Challenges to
Gender Equality in Sri Lanka
The
challenges to gender equality in Sri Lanka are numerous and complex. For
example, cultural attitudes and social norms often perpetuate gender-based
discrimination and prevent women from achieving their full potential. In
addition, many women in Sri Lanka lack access to legal services, which makes it
difficult for them to seek justice in cases of gender-based violence or
discrimination.
Another
challenge is the lack of access to comprehensive healthcare services,
particularly for women in rural areas. This limits their ability to make
informed decisions about their health and leads to health problems that could
have been prevented with proper care.
Despite
progress in education, women in Sri Lanka still face significant challenges in
the labor market. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap
Report, Sri Lanka ranks 88th out of 153 countries in terms of gender equality
in the workplace. Women are less likely to participate in the labor force, with
a labor force participation rate of 35% compared to 83% for men. Women who do
participate in the labor force are often concentrated in low-paying, informal
sector jobs, with limited opportunities for career advancement.
The gender
pay gap is another persistent challenge in Sri Lanka, with women earning on
average 30% less than men. This is partly due to the concentration of women in
low-paying occupations, as well as discrimination and unequal pay for equal
work. The government has introduced several policies and programs to address
this issue, including the introduction of equal pay for equal work legislation,
the promotion of women-owned businesses, and the creation of childcare
facilities to support working mothers.
Despite
progress in some areas, domestic violence and gender-based violence remain
significant concerns in Sri Lanka. According to the National Bureau of
Statistics, one in three women in Sri Lanka has experienced physical, sexual,
or emotional abuse by an intimate partner. This is a complex issue that
requires a multi-faceted approach, including legal reforms, increased access to
services for victims, and changing attitudes toward violence against women.
Way Forward
for Gender Equality in Sri Lanka
To promote
gender equality in Sri Lanka, there is a need for sustained and comprehensive
efforts at the national, local, and individual levels. The government must take
a leadership role in promoting gender equality, by implementing policies and
programs that support women's empowerment and gender equality. At the local
level, community-based organizations and NGOs can play an important role in
promoting gender equality by advocating for women's rights, providing legal
services, and promoting gender-sensitive development programs.
At the
individual level, men and women alike can play a role in promoting gender
equality by challenging gender-based stereotypes and attitudes and working to
create a culture of respect and equality.
Another
important area of progress in Sri Lanka's journey toward gender equality is the
increased participation of women in the workforce. This has been made possible
by government policies and programs aimed at improving the participation of
women in the workforce, including the provision of affordable childcare and
equal pay for equal work.
Addressing
Gender-Based Violence
Despite these
achievements, Sri Lanka still faces significant challenges in addressing
gender-based violence. Domestic violence, sexual harassment, and human
trafficking remain major concerns in the country. The government has
implemented several measures to address these issues, including the development
of a national action plan to prevent violence against women and the
establishment of specialized police units to investigate gender-based violence.
However, there is still much work to be done in this area, and greater public
awareness and education are needed to reduce the incidence of gender-based
violence.
Opportunities
for Further Progress
There are
several opportunities for further progress toward gender equality in Sri Lanka.
The government can continue to implement policies and programs aimed at
improving the representation of women in the workforce, particularly in
leadership positions. It can also invest in education and awareness-raising
initiatives to address gender-based violence and ensure that all women have
access to legal and social services. Additionally, the country can work towards
the achievement of gender equality in the political sphere, by increasing the
representation of women in decision-making positions and ensuring their equal
participation in the political process.
Education is
a key factor in promoting gender equality, as it provides women with the skills
and knowledge they need to participate fully in society. According to the World
Bank, the gender gap in primary and secondary education has been closing, with
almost equal enrolment for boys and girls in recent years. This has been helped
by the government's efforts to provide universal primary education, improve the
quality of education, and eliminate gender-based violence in schools.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka has
made progress in promoting gender equality in recent years, but significant
challenges remain. Closing the gender gap in education and addressing the
gender pay gap are crucial steps in promoting equality. Addressing domestic
violence and gender-based violence, and improving the participation of women in
the labor force, are also critical areas that need attention. With continued
efforts from the government, civil society, and all sectors of society, Sri
Lanka can make significant progress toward achieving gender equality in the
coming years.
However,
there is still much work to be done in addressing gender-based violence and
ensuring equal representation in decision-making positions. By continuing to
prioritize gender equality, Sri Lanka can continue its journey toward a more
equitable and just society for all its citizens.
S.Thanigaseelan
Research Consultant can reach by stseelan2000@yahoo.com
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