Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that urgent and decisive actions must be taken to address the challenges, biases, and barriers faced by women both locally and globally.
She made these remarks during her speech at the International Women’s Day celebration organized by the United Nations Association of Sri Lanka, held at the Colombo Foundation Institute yesterday (22).
At the event, awards were presented to several women who have achieved notable success and recognition in various sectors of society.
Speaking further, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said:
“All women and girls, regardless of their social and economic status, educational level, religion, ethnicity, disability, or any other form of identity, must be safeguarded. Their rights must be protected and respected. Sri Lanka has a proud history of strong women who have significantly contributed to shaping our nation, many of whom are present in this audience today.”
She highlighted that women are playing transformative roles by leading changes in political, economic, and social movements. The government, therefore, has introduced policies and programs to empower women. She specifically mentioned the Women’s Empowerment Act of 2024, which provided new legal safeguards and established an independent National Women’s Commission, describing it as a crucial step toward institutionalizing gender equality.
Dr. Amarasuriya further explained that the government has launched various programs aimed at empowering rural women through entrepreneurship and digital financial literacy, thus driving economic progress. Additionally, she said the government has established nine ministries dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the workforce, with similar initiatives reflected in the recently approved national budget.
However, she acknowledged that despite these efforts, women’s representation in leadership, decision-making, and economic activities remains low. Although women’s representation in Parliament has doubled, it still stands at only 10%. Similarly, women’s participation in the paid labor force is only 32%, significantly lower compared to men.
She concluded by asserting the necessity to further enhance women’s roles in politics, leadership positions, decision-making, and economic activities, stating that significant work remains to be done. The Prime Minister emphasized that supporting and empowering women through better economic opportunities, education, and healthcare must continue to be a priority.
