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| Saturday, 22 June 2002 |
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Politics | |
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| Women in politics up by 25 p.c. in next three years - Women's Affairs Minister Ratnayake by Nadira Gunatilleke
The total number of members in the Local Government bodies are 3,720 and 12 percent of the total number of candidates was contested the 2002 Local Government Elections were women. But only 2.1 per cent of them were elected. Now the Women's Affairs Ministry has made arrangements to increase women's representation in politics by 25 percent within next three years, Women's Affairs Minister Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake said. She was speaking at the workshop on increasing women's participation in politics organised by the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI), Colombo 7 recently. The Minister said that a lot of youths came into politics after former President Ranasinghe Premadasa allocated 40 percent of nominations for them in 1988. "Following the same procedure I will make arrangements to allocate 50 percent of this quota for young girls", she added. The Minister pointed out that even though Sri Lankan women were interested in politics since 1931, there is no significant increase in their participation in active politics and decision making. There are several reasons for this situation. Lack of interest, inability of getting away from household chores, traditional family responsibilities and election related violence are some of the major reasons. There are a lot of talented urban and rural women in the country but they do not like to come into politics for the above reasons, she added. About 200 representatives from various Women's Organisations were present at this workshop. General Secretary, United National Party Senarath Kapukotuwa answered the questions posed by women. |
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