The absence of women in politics constitutes a major threat to the legitimacy of the democratic system. In Sri Lanka, as in many countries, scholars and women activists had continuously advocated for political and constitutional arrangements to surge the number of women at local government level.
In fact, this was a long-term concern for scholars, but it has practically come to end with the provisions accommodated in the amended Local Authorities Elections Act of 2016. The coalition government has enacted reforms recognizing ‘gender’ as a political identity by adjusting the understanding of equality and representation in the electoral process. Under the new provisions of the Act, 25 per cent of the total seats of a local government body is reserved for female candidates. For example, after February 10 2018, there will be a 25 percent women representation at each local government authority in Sri Lanka. Of course, this is a ground-breaking step in promoting a more direct form of democratic participation at local government level in Sri Lanka.
Place of women in Lankan politics
The total population of Sri Lanka stands at 21.2 million in which female population forms approximately 52 per cent. However, the status of women remains low and constitutes a minority at all levels of governance and decision-making. Since 1931, Sri Lanka women have had the right to participate in politics through voting and they have proved their voting power, still it appears, women struggle to fit into the patriarchal society of the country. Sri Lanka had a female Prime Minister and President, but that did not reflect in the high representation of women in ministries or other executive positions. The female representation at national legislature records 6 per cent, but the nations in the region of South Asia have a relatively better record on this. Women’s contribution to socio-economic development in Sri Lanka is paramount, however, their presence in the power-sharing structures and decision making at national level is insufficient. In many local and provincial governments, men are hired for leadership positions. Both, the local and national government have just the minimum number of female representation. As of 2012, female representation in the Provincial Council and Local Government is 4 per cent and 1.9 per cent, respectively. The exclusion of women in politics keeps the majority of female population at the margins of the society which leads to a situation where they have to rely on men.
In the context of Sri Lanka, women representation at local and national level is necessary to ensure the goals of post-war reconciliation, development and reconstruction. In practice, major political parties function as gate keepers and actively discourage women to run at general elections. Due to the absence of legal provisions to pressure political parties to nominate female candidates, Sri Lankan women experience great challenges in receiving nominations to run in general elections. With the new amendment to the Local Authorities Elections Act, political parties have been forced to promote women nominations at local level.
Commitment for consensus
The current ‘government of good-governance’ formed after the presidential election held in January 2015 has placed more importance to introduce new political arrangements to solve economic predicaments leading to achieve peace and unity between individuals and communities.
The ‘good-governance government’ effort to improve the status of women in Sri Lanka signals a major shift from the previous approach which had ignored women as a category deserving political representation. It is clear, the coalition government has renewed its political interest on the expansion of women representation as their presence in politics facilitates the promotion of justice, reconciliation and development. The coalition government encourages gender quota as a way to demonstrate the degree of women’s commitment into active politics. In fact, the introduction of gender quota at local government level is a great deal for women to get into national politics of Sri Lanka.
In Sri Lanka, the inclusion of women in politics remains a contesting topic for politicians. During the adoption of new provisions related to gender quota in the Local Authorities Elections Act, the different parties across the political spectrum took various stands as they had political animosity with the current government of good governance. During the second and third readings of the Bill amending the Local Authorities Elections Act, the coalition government had to face challenges to obtain sufficient support from Parliament to get it passed. The majority of the members of Parliament including female parliamentarians from the Joint Opposition had purposely resisted and made criticism on the provisions of gender quota. However, it proceeded with some alterations due to the tireless efforts made by Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe and President, Maithripala Sirisena who have strictly articulated the goal of gender quota to bring the multi-level governance in Sri Lanka.
Prior to the new provisions related to gender quota, as of 2012, there was a quota system which was non-mandatory for women and youth. However, according to the new provisions, 25 percent quota is mandatory for women at local level governance. This is something great for women to get involved in the national politics as this new arrangement endeavours to give more seats in the local bodies. The seats of local government have been increased from 6,619 to 8,825 which is a three quarter of the total seats of local authorities in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the implementation of 25 per cent gender quota would increase the presence of women at local level facilitating them to climb in national politics in future.
A note to political parties
Many contemporary democracies have adopted the provisions of gender quota to ensure viable democracy through participatory governance. To increase the access and participation of women in power structures and decision-making, countries have been practising various types of gender quota. Under the new provisions, there is a high possibility for women to get into active politics. In fact, if political parties nominate candidates through a merit system, there will be a chance to make politics clean. And, this enables Sri Lankan women to get to the top of the ladder in a system of governance. However, it is essential to make sure the quality of women who could make a difference for the betterment of society. Most importantly, gender quota helps to bring rural and urban women together, to change the plight of Sri Lankan woman. So I believe gender quotas are necessary for post-war Sri Lanka at this point.
Malini Balamayuran, PhD (Western Sydney), MA (Hawaii) is a Lecturer at the University of Peradeniya