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| Friday, 20 February 2004 |
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Political parties urged : Pave way for at least 30 percent female candidates by Indrani Iriyagolla Chairperson, National committee on Women
A special meeting of the National Committee on Women was held on February 13 at the request of its members and the following Resolution passed. Indrani Iriyagolla, Chairperson of the National Committee on Women, presided. "The National Committee on Women strongly urges all political parties in Sri Lanka contesting the general election to be held on April 2, 2004, to ensure that a minimum of 30 percent of the candidates be women. The committee also strongly recommends that a minimum of 30 percent of those nominated to the National List be women". Since the establishment of the NCW in 1993, it has strongly advocated the policy of increasing women's participation and representation in Parliament and all tiers of provincial and local governance. The provisions in the Women's Charter of 1993 as well as the National Plan of Action for Women, stress the importance of women's participation in the political arena. The NCW has already submitted proposals to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform, urging that new measures be adopted to implement the aforementioned proposals. As women constitute 52.03 per cent of the total population of Sri Lanka the actions instituted on the above recommendations would constitute a positive demonstration of a commitment towards the democratic principles of equality in political representation. The Resolution has been communicated to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, and leaders of all political parties. Article 12 of chapter III on fundamental rights of the Constitution of Sri Lanka states that all persons are equal before the law and entitled to protection of the law; That no citizen shall be discriminated against on grounds of religion, race, language, caste, sex, political opinion, place of birth etc., that nothing in this Article shall prevent social provision being made by law, subordinate legislation or executive action, for the advancement of women, children or disabled persons. Article 27 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka states in the chapter on Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties that the State shall ensure equality of opportunity to citizens, so that no citizen shall suffers any disability on the ground of race, religion, caste, language, sex, political opinion or occupation. In the international context, Sri Lanka has ratified all instruments that constitute provision for the protection and promotion of human rights, civil and political rights, the right to equal opportunity, gender equity in political representation etc. The International Covenant on Civil and Political rights (1976) International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (1976) and most important of all for women, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was ratified by Sri Lanka in 1981. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action as adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993 expressed deep concern about the various forms of discrimination and violence to which women continue to be exposed all over the world. The conference therefore declared that the human rights of women and of the girl child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights". In 1995, the Sri Lankan Government adopted the Beijing Platform for Action which comprised the 12 Critical Areas of Concern. By this declaration political representation of women in governance (central and local), women's empowerment and their full participation in all spheres of society, participation in the decision-making process and access to power were considered fundamental for the achievement of equality, development and peace. Women's participation in political life is considered an absolute necessity by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) as reflected in its regular questionnaire that deliberately focuses on two key issues (a) on women's participation in the activities of political parties (b) women's participation in the electoral systems and procedures. In its 20 page questionnaire addressed to all of the world's Parliaments it facilitates a comparative analysis of data reflecting widely varying situations. The persons providing the replies are asked to present factual data. What is the data that Sri Lanka could provide? The CEDAW report submitted every four years to the CEDAW committee becomes a reference work to compare women's issues. Women representatives from Sri Lanka are required to answer the question of women's participation in political life in Sri Lanka. What would be the answer? How answer? How do the relevant authorities responsible to answer questions such as improving or having improved the situation of increased women's participation and representation in Parliament, in Provincial Councils and the different tiers of local governance deal with the issues? The Sri Lanka percentage of 4.9 percent of women members in Parliament and 2.7 percent in local governance is highly degrading and the lowest in Asia. This record is despite many women being actively involved in social and political work and other movements in this country. Since independence in 1948 and for over half a century women's representation in Parliament at its highest has been 5.00 percent. It is well known that all political parties resort to using women in election campaigns but are reluctant to name them as candidates. A few women have been nominated as candidates on party lists and still less - one or two - to the National Lists, which is available for 29 members. In this instance too, though on the national lists they have not been nominated to Parliament to use their capacities. Violence
Sri Lanka has a shameful record of violence against women during election time. The worst was in 1999. Violence against women reached a climax with the stripping of a woman and several others in Wayamba. Outrageous political violence against the women voters in particular cannot be and should not be tolerated. Still more offensive was the pasting of pictures of nude women and of other individuals taken during terror - times. Intimidation, terror, assault, trespass, attempted rape - especially against women in the remote districts and villages, were all terror tactics of parties to prevent women from voting or an effort to grab the women's poll cards votes/impersonation at the polling-booth. We call upon all political parties to issue strictures to the party members, candidates and other supporters to refrain from violence and unfair practices, and make this parliamentary general election an exemplary one. The general public is already perturbed and conscious of the need for a peaceful environment for the citizens to exercise their right to vote. Divisive politics, disinformation disseminated by the media, vulgarity of language and terror tactics, and irresponsible statements will not help set an example to our youth. To experience and live with the concept of people's sovereignty, every party is required to take up responsibility to create a conducive environment for holding free and fair elections. |
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