Woman in Sri Lankan society
W. T. A. Leslie Fernando
Today so much enthusiasm is generated on the
rights of women. Thousands of organisations have been formed all over
the world for emancipation of the woman.
The activities of them range from fighting
against exploitation, discrimination, domestic violence, harassment of
women to obtain equal status to them to be on par with men.
By nature woman is different from man. Man is strong, rough and
active. Woman is dainty, serene and quiet. Man is designed for manual
work and adventure. Only women could give birth to children and they are
meant for light work.
In sex life the man is provocative and aggressive. Woman is more or
less passive. When a man and a woman cohabits it would not make any
difference to the man. But the woman could become pregnant. The woman
has to be more conscious about the outcome.
Equal Status
Garment factory workers contributing to country’s economic
growth. |
In the hunting age, man had to procure food and other things
necessary for life. The role of the woman was limited to the household.
However, with the development of society the woman has progressed a long
way. By and large in the present world women enjoy equal status with
men. Nevertheless still there are some rights to be won by women.
Christianity has been the dominant force in the formation and
development of Western civilisation. According to the Bible, God first
created Adam - the first man on earth and then created Eve, the first
woman from the rib of Adam as a helper fit for him.
(Genesis 2 - 18). When Adam disobeyed God by eating the forbidden
fruit, on the instigation of Eve, God said to her “In pain you shall
bring forth children, yet your desire shall be your husband and he shall
rule over you.” (Genesis 3 -16)
During the time of Christ, adulterous women were stoned to death.
Once the Pharisees brought before Jesus, a woman who had committed
adultery and said, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery, Moses
in the Law has decreed that such woman should be stoned to death. What
do you say?” Christ replied, “those among you who have not committed a
sin, let him cast the first stone at her.” There was no one left to
stone her.
On the other hand there were many women who were prepared to serve
Christ and sacrifice their career. But Christ never conferred priesthood
on women. The position of woman is aptly described by St. Paul - “But I
want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ and the head
of woman is her husband.” (1 Corinthians 11-3)
It is Buddhism that has guided and moulded Sinhala society for
centuries. Nevertheless Buddhism does not place any impediments on women
in society.
Concept
In our society based on Buddhist concepts, a virtuous woman is being
considered a ‘Kula Kanthava’ (noble lady). The position of the woman in
our society is well expressed by the term ‘Gedera Budun Amman’ (Mother
is venerated one at home).
The Sri Lankan housewife has a special place in the home. She had to
attend to the husband who come home tired after work, look after the
children, do the cooking and keep house and garden clean. She performed
all these tasks without any complaint. Though the wife is not a slave of
husband as described in ‘Kavyasekeraya’, it was a pleasure for her to
perform her onerous duties in the interest of husband and children.
In our history we find that women have stood side by side with men
for the progress of the nation. Several women in Sri Lanka have been
ruling Monarchs in our country. The outstanding roles played by heroic
women like Vihara Maha Devi and Soma Devi have added glamour to our
history. Nevertheless women in Sri Lanka have never relegated their role
as a mother and housewife.
WOMAN PRIME MINISTER
The first woman Prime Minister in the whole world was from Sri Lanka.
The whole world admired her when Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike was
appointed the Prime Minister in Sri Lanka in July 1960. She on her part
well proved that the hands that swing the cradle could govern the
country as well.
She not only excelled as an efficient Prime Minister but also brought
fame to our country as a real ‘Kula Kanthava’ all over the world.
In our law, both men and women are considered equal. Both are treated
as separate entities. The women could own property as men and deal with
them as they like. Even an unmarried woman could get maintenance from
the father of an illegitimate child.
Women have come to forefront with the development of society. Women
who were mostly housewives in the past compete with men today for
employment in various fields. Even in professions like law, judiciary
and engineering conventional fields meant for men, women have made a
breakthrough.
Attitude
With changes in society the attitude towards women has also changed.
This is part of social development. Today almost all the job
opportunities available to men are open to women as well. As a result,
young women could be get employment at an early age.
The young girls who are employed are not so closely protected by
parents as it used to be. Because of this freedom there is some danger
of young girls going astray. There are some men who take advantage of
sincerity of young girls and ruin their lives. The employees young women
should guard against pitfalls and protect themselves from vultures in
society. As many women are employed today there should be change in the
traditional role of the woman as a housewife.
The highest position a woman could aspire to is motherhood. It is in
the bosom of the mother that the character of the child is moulded.
Children who do not get the love and warmth of the mother in their
infancy could become unbalanced persons. Whatever the position a woman
could attain in society, whether she is employed or not, they must see
that the children get the care and protection of the mother.
Advancement
There are so many organisations in Sri Lanka for the advancement of
women. Some of them have sincerely worked for the welfare of women. They
have obtained equal pay for equal work, maternity leave and other
benefits for women. They fight against exploitation of women in form of
cheap labour, look after women subject to social evils, stand against
domestic violence and harassment of women in society. The Mahila Samithi
organisation has done a lot for the uplift of rural women.
There are some NGOs funded by foreign agencies that make a big noise
about the liberation of women in our country. They go to villages and
instigate women to fight for their liberation against male domination.
They want to place Sri Lankan women on par with women in the West. It
was reported that one such organisation concluded their annual
conference with a ball-room party.
In our society based on Buddhist concepts women were never degraded
or looked down upon to fight for their liberation. It is true that our
women never enjoyed the privilege of going out with men except their
husbands. Our Kula Kanthavas were always faithful to their husbands.
They never went for ball-room dancing embracing other men. They always
respected our traditional cultural values and as a result there is
stability in family life.
In the natural world among animals and birds, the male is more
beautiful than the female. In human society woman is considered more
attractive than the man. There is a popular saying in our country - Kata
athi puthath ruva athi duwath hondai (The son eloquent in speech and
daughter with good looks are ideal).
Appearance
A beautiful, simple and serene women pleases everyone. So it is
natural for women to be more concerned about their appearance than men.
Fr. Marcelline Jayakody an exponent of indigenous culture and
renowned poet has thus expressed on women in the West.
The Sri Lankan woman is most beautiful when she is simple. There is
no more pleasant sight than a Sinhala Kula Kanthava clad in a white
Osariya carrying a tray of flowers to the temple. Our women would look
really beautiful when they appear is simple and serene dress that suits
their age.
The advancement of women in Sri Lanka should be in harmony with our
much cherished spiritual, traditional and cultural values.
(The writer is a former High Court Judge and Vice-President of the
Newman Society Alumni Association) |