Political representation of women and General Election

The extremely low level of representation of women in every layer of political decision-making in Sri Lanka has been recognised as a longstanding shortcoming by advocates and the media. Women in Sri Lanka represent 52% of the population while accounting for 56% of the registered voters. Since gaining independence, the contribution of women to the socio-economic progress of the nation has gained considerable importance. 

Particularly, with regard to academic accomplishments, women have come a long way and as of today women occupy prominent positions in both the private as well as public sectors.

Despite admirable achievements in respect of socio-economic progression of women, the female participation within the political field of the island has been a huge disappointment. Even a country like Afghanistan, which has a history of repression of women at the hands of extremist groups and lags behind Sri Lanka in many aspects, records a 27% representation rate by women in its legislature. At the 2020 Parliamentary Election, women legislators accounted for just over 5% of the total seats in the Sri Lankan Parliament.

Worldwide, women represent a minority in terms of political leadership of States and Governments. The hopes for a greater female participation in the next legislature received a boost with Dr. Harini Amarasuriya’s appointment to the premiership. In the South Asian context, all women politicians who had risen into prominence are either related to powerful male politicians or popular celebrities who have attained fame through beauty pageants, cinema/soap operas. South Asian women political leaders like Chandrika Kumaratunga, Indira Gandhi, and Benazir Bhutto came from prominent political families. Some of them were regarded as tough and decisive while leaving lasting political legacies. Unfortunately though, a few women politicians in South East Asia were also accused of abuse of power, corruption and even unleashing violence brutally against their political rivals.

Admirable European women leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Angela Merkel are held in high esteem as they genuinely contributed towards the advancement of their fellow citizens during their times in office and not because of their gender. Female politicians need to address the concerns of all voters without confining themselves to women-centric matters like healthcare, childcare, etc. Women political representatives have in fact evolved to occupy critical portfolios like Finance, Defence, and Home Affairs in many parts of the world without confining themselves to education, health, and women affairs.

Meanwhile, the presence of women from Tamil and Muslim communities is almost non-existent at the national level. Even in predominantly Muslim States like Bangladesh and Pakistan, women participation in the central legislatures is close to 20%. Muslim women hold prominent positions in the fields of academia, commerce, and medicine. What prevents them from coming to the forefront in politics? Political parties which are committed to advance the interest of Muslims like the SLMC and ACMC have hardly demonstrated any interest to increase the political representation of Muslim women. 

Muslim male politicians have also been accused of having regressive and backward views with regard to empowerment of women of their community. Few years ago, they blocked reforms to the archaic piece of legislation – the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act.

At the end of the day, voters should not elect representatives on the basis of their gender. The conduct of certain female MPs in the previous legislatures brought shame to the womanhood. It is critical for the public to vigorously examine the credentials of contestants prior to making their decisions in order to ensure the next Parliament is represented by individuals who have the capacity to make a meaningful contribution towards the progress of the nation.