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| Thursday, 10 June 2004 |
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'Increase women's representation in politics' by Nadira Gunatilleke Empowerment of women and taking the benefits of the social welfare scheme to the grassroots are the two top priorities of the Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Ministry, said Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena. She said there had been a request to increase the women's representation in Parliament at least by 25 per cent. "It is a very legitimate demand. I am keen to bring more womenfolk to politics and pool all their resources for the development and well-being of the country," she added. Addressing a symposium on 'Political Representation for Grassroots Women: An Action Agenda for Change', at the BMICH, Colombo on Tuesday, she observed that the Sri Lankan women were educated and intelligent compared with their counterparts in South Asia. "The time has come to give women their legitimate rights to have their representation in the field of politics," the Minister said. US Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead said it was very important to increase women's representation in politics during this crucial time. "Sri Lanka is seeking a solution to the ethnic conflict. It is important to hear the voice of the women," he emphasised. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse in his message said women in the rural sector have a better understanding of problems than men. "They know problems faced by children of their families, the shortcomings of the village school, the price they have to pay to get the essential items in day to day living. They also are aware of the sanitation of the community," the message said. During the symposium, it was disclosed that after 70 years of universal franchise, women constitute over half the citizenry and are the most vital income earners and yet have extremely low political representation in the region. This situation is highly paradoxical, Sri Lanka being the first country to gain universal franchise in the region and to produce the first woman prime minister in the world. It is tragic that Sri Lankan women have only 1.9 per cent political representation even at the local government level compared to 33 per cent in India, 33 per cent in Bangladesh, 33 per cent in Pakistan and 20 per cent in Nepal. One of the main objectives of GROW project is acquiring 33 per cent a fair share of representation for women, starting immediately at the local Government level. It also believed that the absence of the opportunity of representation in politics was a gross violation of human rights. The GROW Declaration was presented to participants at the symposium's closure. Member, Partners' Forum, GROW Project, Deshabandu Jezima Ismail welcomed the participants. Dr.Ivan Legg, Provost, Northern Illinois University also spoke. Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Sita Rajapakse and several women engaged in the field were present. |
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