Photo courtesy of IOL
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress”. Sri Lanka, like many other countries, is grappling with a series of crises caused by geopolitical conflicts, rising poverty rates and the growing impacts of climate change. The United Nations has recognised the pivotal role women play in addressing these challenges and has highlighted the urgent need for their empowerment. Despite women’s significant contribution to economies around the world, there are alarming predictions that by 2030, more than 342 million women and girls could fall into extreme poverty.
Women bear a disproportionate share of unpaid childcare work, estimated at three times that of men, and whose economic value exceeds 40% of global GDP. Yet women continue to face persistent obstacles, exacerbated by widespread violations of their right to education, impeding progress towards gender equality and perpetuating poverty on a global scale. Shockingly, around 244 million children worldwide are out of education and 617 million lack basic literacy and numeracy skills (United Nations, 2024).
The scope of the problems women face
Although women’s rights have improved over the years, there have also been setbacks, and current trends in social development do not guarantee continued progress in expanding women’s rights.
There are many conflicts in the world, some of which have a negative impact on women and children. Generally, women face problems in society due to violence, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, etc. Due to the rise of authoritarianism and the terrible effects of climate change, women face many problems in education, jobs, healthcare, legal rights, violence, etc.
Understanding these issues can help communities work together to achieve gender equality, uphold human rights, and ensure safety for all. Around the world, women face many challenges due to domestic violence, sexism, reproductive rights, and discrimination in many areas. In some communities, women face specific issues due to their unique religious practices, cultural traditions, etc. that lead to the practice of genital mutilation and child marriage. In the workplace, some women run large companies and hold high management positions, but for decades, women have been trying to break through the glass ceiling. Despite the progress made so far, sexism, violence, and discrimination still persist.
For example, in the United States, there is strong resistance to a woman becoming president, even though there are many women in government and in high-ranking positions. However, in Southeast Asia, many countries have women as heads of state, but ordinary women in those societies are not as independent as in other countries. In the United States, women’s reproductive rights related to contraception and abortion are major issues. Teenage pregnancy in particular can be a major concern for young women. Meanwhile, in France, parliament has made abortion a constitutional right, guaranteeing women the “freedom” of choice.
Domestic violence, which is not exclusive to women and begins in the teenage years, is a major concern in most countries of the world. Abuse and violence can take many forms, from emotional and psychological abuse to sexual and physical abuse. In Australia, this is a major and growing problem. Globally, female genital mutilation is a concern for many women. The United Nations recognizes the practice of female genital mutilation as a human rights violation.
Sri Lanka’s Initiatives
Last International Women’s Day in 2023, the Ministry of Women, Children’s Affairs and Social Empowerment of Sri Lanka unveiled an ambitious National Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment aimed at promoting equal rights and opportunities for women in all spheres. Despite these noble intentions, tangible improvements in women’s rights and status are yet to materialize.
The majority of women are employed mainly in the low-skilled service sector, with the exception of some areas such as education and health. Women’s representation in high-skilled sectors remains limited due to various factors, including a lack of awareness about employment opportunities that offer fair working conditions. The prevalence of the neoliberal economic model has led mainly to women’s informal employment, that is, jobs that lack stability and adequate wages.
Challenges in Ensuring Decent Work
Formal employment opportunities offering decent wages and working conditions are scarce, especially outside major urban areas like Colombo. Gender bias persists in hiring practices and employers are often reluctant to hire women due to the perceived burden associated with childcare and maternity leave. As a result, women face barriers to career progression and promotion, further exacerbating their limited participation in the workforce.
Moreover, women are under-represented in decision-making positions in both the public and private sectors, limiting their access to suitable jobs. While factors such as education level and English proficiency affect employment prospects, the burden of unpaid domestic work and childcare falls primarily on women, affecting their ability to access formal employment.
Challenges and policy framework for small and medium-sized enterprises
The economy is primarily driven by small and medium-sized enterprises, which often struggle with issues such as poor management, low productivity, limited investment, lack of innovation and product diversification through value addition. Transforming informal sector employment into more dignified opportunities is a major challenge, exacerbated by the lack of affordable childcare services, especially in rural areas.
Unlike countries such as Australia, where childcare costs are subsidized, Sri Lanka is plagued by endemic corruption and inefficiency within its governance structures, hindering efforts to improve access and quality of childcare. Establishing a coherent national policy aimed at promoting early childhood development is essential to ensuring a brighter future for future generations.
Addressing Patriarchy and Social Conflict
Sri Lanka, like many societies around the world, struggles with entrenched patriarchal norms despite prominent female leaders in politics and governance. Overcoming systemic bias against women requires a concerted effort to shift societal perceptions and responsibilities towards shared child-rearing and caregiving roles.
The lasting legacy of armed conflict has further marginalized women, especially widows who endure economic hardship and face exploitation and abuse. Efforts to address their needs and alleviate their social and economic burdens are essential to foster a culture of peace and reconciliation in post-war societies.
Fighting poverty and exploitation
Economic desperation, exacerbated by rural poverty, drives many women into the informal employment sector, exposing them to exploitation and abuse. Unregulated microcredit schemes target vulnerable women, perpetuating a vicious cycle of debt and vulnerability.
Countries must confront the harsh reality that reduced access to education and employment opportunities, especially in times of crisis, perpetuates a vicious cycle of poverty and inequality. Investing in women’s education and empowerment is essential to realizing the vision of a just and equal society.
The challenges facing women today can be addressed by fighting gender and economic inequality, primarily by ensuring girls’ right to education, providing them with platforms and incentives to achieve political and economic independence, eradicating domestic violence, both physical and psychological, through the creation and fair implementation of preventive domestic violence laws, and ensuring women’s access to adequate health facilities.
Addressing the multifaceted challenges facing women in Sri Lanka requires a comprehensive approach that includes policy reforms, economic empowerment efforts and social change efforts aimed at dismantling patriarchy and promoting inclusive development. Only through our collective action and unwavering determination can we achieve true gender equality and empower women to play an active role in all aspects of society.
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