Honour commitment to women’s representation: TISL

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) calls upon all political parties, the Elections Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) and competent authorities to ensure the implementation of the 25% quota for women in Local Government Authorities (LGA’s).  

The quota for women’s representation as introduced by the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act No. 16 of 2017, marks the fulfilment of a longstanding commitment towards increasing the political representation of women, who constitute over 50 % of the population in Sri Lanka. Increased political representation for women is not only an important step for gender equality but is also essential in ensuring inclusive policy making. 

As highlighted by TISL in the run up to the LGA elections, between 2006 and 2011 only two of every 100 local government representatives were women. The quota introduced in 2017 is a preliminary step in addressing this glaring representation deficit.   

Commenting on calls for the law to be amended to allow parties or independent groups to circumvent the spirit of the quota, TISL Senior Manager of Programs Sashee de Mel said: “Amending the law in a manner that affects a concluded election is a violation of the people’s franchise. Greater political representation for women must not be viewed as an inconvenience but as a victory for the people of Sri Lanka. Similarly, steps should also be taken to ensure enhanced women’s representation in the provincial councils and parliament.” 

TISL also expresses its solidarity with the recent statement from Professor Ratnajeevan Hoole, a Commissioner of the ECSL, who noted that “Local authority decisions must be taken at local level and further delays in the inauguration of these bodies cannot be brooked.” Furthermore, as Prof. Hoole writes: “When the quota is the law, we cannot have exceptions.” TISL reminds all stakeholders that not implementing the provisions of the law, with the 25% women’s quota, is a violation of the rule of law and should be dealt with accordingly.