The Womens Policy Action Network launched their policy brief on 'Gender Discriminatory Land Inheritance' at a roundtable discussion. The discussions resulted in the identification of laws that are discriminatory directly and in its applications. Further laws that had the potential to be discriminatory were also identified.
You can access the policy brief on Gender Discriminatory Land Inheritance here
Advocata Institute says that Sri Lanka’s labour laws that discourage the entry and retention of women in the labour force are a factor preventing female participation in the workforce.
The report identifies the lack of reference to part-time and flexible employment in the existing labour law, time restrictions on employing for women at night, dearth of legal provisions for sexual harassment in employment and restrictions on overtime work for women, as legal obstacles that discourage women joining and actively participating in the workforce.
The report focused on four main areas of discrimination in the labour market: sexual harassment in the workplace, overtime work, work at night, and part-time work. The report highlighted that if these issues were addressed it is likely that female participation in the workforce would greatly improve which would benefit the economy and attract investment (particularly in the context of Sri Lanka’s tight labour market and the cost of labour).
Read the full article here
Even though the world has moved forward considerably in terms of ensuring gender equality in the workforce through laws and policies, Sri Lanka is yet to improve and update its labour laws, most of which are archaic. Due to the unavailability or the lack of laws that match today’s society, females are greatly inconvenienced, and it is hindering them from achieving their full potential and contributing to the country’s economy and strengthening their own and their households’ economies.
The need for law reforms and other practical issues that discourage females from playing their role in the country’s workforce were extensively discussed at an event held by the think tank Advocata Institute on 7 March, where the findings of a study about the existing labour laws and how those should be reformed were highlighted.
Study on laws affecting the female workforce
The report titled “Gender Discriminatory Labour Laws in Sri Lanka and Female Labour Force Participation” authored by T. Yapa, T. Hoole, G.S. Sallay, S. Bamaramannage, and J. Peerez – identifies the lack of reference to part time and flexible employment in the existing labour laws, time restrictions on employing females for duties at night, the dearth of legal provisions to prevent and address sexual harassment in employment, and restrictions on overtime (OT) work for females, as legal obstacles that discourage females from joining and actively participating in the workforce.
NEWS RELEASE
Originally appeared in the Economy Next, Lanka Business Online and Daily FT
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka— The Advocata Institute hosted a live online discussion on “Female under-representation and its socio-economic impact” via our YouTube channel on the 6th of September 2020.
The panelists for the discussion were Dr. Sujata Gamage (Advisor to the Advocata Institute), Vraie Cally Balthazaar (Social Entrepreneur, Activist, Media Professional), Lihini Fernando (Member of Moratuwa Municipal Council, Attorney at Law, Women's Activist) and Sherien Perera (Marketer, Corporate Trainer). The session was moderated by Sathya Karunarathne (Research Executive (Policy) Advocata Institute).
The World Gender Gap Report published by the World Economic Forum ranked Sri Lanka amongst the top 20 countries in 2006. However, as previously highlighted by the Advocata Institute Sri Lanka has drastically slipped in the rankings and has descended to be ranked 102 out of 153 countries in the year 2020 despite performing well on other indicators such as health and education. This is clearly reflected in our current majority-male parliament. Despite Sri Lanka’s women constituting 52% of the population, they are left unrepresented in parliament and deprived of positions of power and access to national decision making and policy implementation. The Advocata Institute through the panel discussion highlighted the importance of improving female representation in parliament.
Given the myriad of issues Sri Lankan women face; ranging from discriminatory laws, taxes that disproportionately affect women, and labour laws that impede their entry and retention in the labour force, it is all the more important that women are represented in parliament.
The discussion identified key issues preventing female leaders from getting into key policymaking roles. Some of these issues include structural barriers faced by women when entering into politics, especially due to the existence of pedigree politics in Sri Lanka, illustrating the urgent need to extend the minimum female quota to provincial councils and the parliament. Other issues identified by the panelists include a lack of access to finances. We believe that there needs to be a level playing field as skyrocketing campaigning costs deprive competent and hardworking women from entering parliament. Another important issue being the lack of female role models in Sri Lankan politics, highlighting the immediate need to empower female role models both in politics and governance, and the need for a support system within political parties for women.
Implementing policies that reduce these structural barriers preventing the political empowerment of women would be a starting point to address this issue. As agreed by our panelists, creating a transparent and fair framework to finance election campaigns through the Election Finance Act, encouraging women to obtain a varied education, empowering female leadership in our communities and introducing a mandatory quota for women in the National list for major political parties would be a progressive step towards increasing female representation in government.
The event can be accessed on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN4qhGDa3k8.
Advocata is an independent policy think tank based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. We conduct research, provide commentary and hold events to promote sound policy ideas compatible with a free society in Sri Lanka. Visit advocata.org for more information.
Advocata spokespersons are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 077 621 6788
CONTACT:
Yasodara Kariyawasam,
Communications Manager, Advocata Institute
Email: yasodhara@advocata.org
The Advocata Institute hosted a live online discussion on “Female under-representation and its socio-economic impact” via our YouTube channel on the 6th of September 2020.
The panelists for the discussion were,
Dr. Sujata Gamage (Advisor to the Advocata Institute), Vraie Cally Balthazaar (Social Entrepreneur, Activist, Media Professional), Lihini Fernando (Member of Moratuwa Municipal Council, Attorney at Law, Women's Activist) and Sherien Perera (Marketer, Corporate Trainer). The session was moderated by Sathya Karunarathne (Research Executive (Policy) Advocata Institute).
The discussion focused on gender discriminatory and insensitive laws and policies and its socio-economic impact.
Click here to access the opening presentation by Sathya Karunarathne
Watch this video on Youtube