Concerns over lack of the voice of women in political arena
Source: The Sunday Times
Sri Lankan women make up over 51% of the population as well as the number of registered voters; they contribute immensely to state revenue through tea and garment trades and inward foreign remittances; manage family budgets; and run homes, but in the political arena they remain but a footnote.
“The men in politics haven’t done anything meaningful for women in this country,” says 26-year-old primary school teacher from Colombo, Mariam Sadique. She is among several women that the SundayTimes spoke to on what women expect from political leaders.
Ms. Sadique said that it’s frustrating to see the same faces making empty promises, knowing that once they’re in power, they won’t lift a finger to help women. “My biggest concern is that women’s voices will continue to be ignored and our struggles will just get worse,” she said, adding that the current lot of politicians are more focused on finding ways to line their pockets than addressing real issues like reforming the MMDA (the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act), which has been controversial for its oppressive laws against women or the scrapping of period tax.
“I have had to reprioritise what essentials mean to me in this economy. I grew up wanting to be a teacher, and I’ve achieved that dream of mine, but I’ve had to cut down on so many things, since the teacher’s salary is not that great in Sri Lanka,” she said.
Read here the full article published by The Sunday Times on 1 September 2024.
Image credits: The Sunday Times
Sri Lankan women make up over 51% of the population as well as the number of registered voters; they contribute immensely to state revenue through tea and garment trades and inward foreign remittances; manage family budgets; and run homes, but in the political arena they remain but a footnote.
“The men in politics haven’t done anything meaningful for women in this country,” says 26-year-old primary school teacher from Colombo, Mariam Sadique. She is among several women that the SundayTimes spoke to on what women expect from political leaders.
Ms. Sadique said that it’s frustrating to see the same faces making empty promises, knowing that once they’re in power, they won’t lift a finger to help women. “My biggest concern is that women’s voices will continue to be ignored and our struggles will just get worse,” she said, adding that the current lot of politicians are more focused on finding ways to line their pockets than addressing real issues like reforming the MMDA (the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act), which has been controversial for its oppressive laws against women or the scrapping of period tax.
“I have had to reprioritise what essentials mean to me in this economy. I grew up wanting to be a teacher, and I’ve achieved that dream of mine, but I’ve had to cut down on so many things, since the teacher’s salary is not that great in Sri Lanka,” she said.
Read here the full article published by The Sunday Times on 1 September 2024.
Image credits: The Sunday Times