Balanced representation - the need of the hour

Are women being fairly represented in our political sphere? With its positive and negative points does politics suit our women? Here are the views of two active women Parliamentarians...

In your opinion to which extent do you think women have representation in the political scenario?

Housing and Common Amenities Minister Ferial Ashraff:

Hardly any I would say. We have only 4% representation of women Parliamentarians. Sri Lanka is a country where women are treated fairly equally, of course it needs to be discussed further.

As far as political representation is concerned we are far behind compared to several other countries in the world let alone the countries in our region. Women’s active participation in political matters is very high in Sri Lanka. It is only the representation at decision-making level that is very low.

United National Party MP Thalatha Athukorala Jayasinghe:

Since we are in a male dominated society we cannot be happy with the extent of political representation of women. Since we got our franchise rights in 1932 when one woman got elected to the Parliament, the number of women representatives in the Parliament is not at all satisfactory.

Basically Sri Lankan mentality about women is that she is more appropriate for household chores. But now the world has changed a great deal with the open economy and women are engaged as professionals in various fields. So, naturally women become more interested in politics.

On what basis do you say that women’s active participation is essential for a political culture of any nature?

FA: There should be more women to make a lively political arena because I believe if more women get involved it can change the present political culture. It has come to a point that men think that they could do anything and get away easily. This is the general political culture of Sri Lanka. I strongly believe that women have an inherent quality in governance. See how a mother runs the house. She somehow manages even with the meagre earnings of her husband. She knows how to prioritise her needs.Both men and women need to be given the chance to engage themselves in an area that they prefer and are capable.

TAJ: Because it is a woman who is more sensitive into day-to-day problems, the needs of an average person would face. They are more sensitive. That is what we need. They are at the receiving end. When the cost of living goes up it is the housewife who would mostly feel it. If the child cannot enter a proper education stream the mother suffers more than anyone. A woman who cannot find suitable jobs for her grown up sons and daughters tends to suffer. Therefore, women need to actively participate in politics since they are more sensitive. Eventually at every level it is the woman who gets affected.

Do you mean that women are more suitable for politics than men?

FA: There should be a good balance. Give women a fair share. Women are definitely active in their participation in the political arena. During the election period women organisations become quite common even at village level. It is these women who would go on door-to-door canvassing and make sure that people come to cast their votes on the election day. It is very common that more women are lined up compared to their counterparts. I believe when more women are involved in politics there would be more discipline. Women who spend more time with children and families have more sense of discipline. It is important because the order to follow should be, first discipline then democracy and followed by development.

TAJ: It is not a matter of being a woman or a man. But it is mostly your performance that matters. Nothing else. My personal opinion is women are much better. Because they are not up to corruption and bribery. They will be able to perform better. When we consider honesty and dedication I strongly believe women are at a higher level. They will not be 100% correct. But would be much better. We see many women in the top level management in the business sector. Women are not demanding for similar rights or similar levels but they need space in the decision making level.

Sri Lanka produced the world’s first woman Premier and a woman President. People chose them to be their leaders. This indicates that people are willing to accept a woman as their leader. So what really obstructs women coming into politics?

FA: Basically it is a question of insecurity. There is a fear psychosis against the threat that one is gong to receive when coming out and by entering into politics. This is both physical and mental harm. The general acceptance is that one should be able to tolerate all these while entering politics.

TAJ: We cannot give one exact reason. Of course we are very proud that we were the first country to be able to create the first Prime Minister and an Executive President of the world. But that does not mean that it is a result of more women getting into politics. But political violence, economy of the country, the culture can create obstacles. There are many examples for political violence against women.

We live in a society partly conservative and partly radical, depending on the situation. In such a backdrop do you think women will fit into politics?

FA: But I insist that more women should come into change this situation. Very recently I heard a girl making a speech quoting someone (I cannot remember the name of the person now) said when one woman enters politics, politics changes her; but when many women come in they change the politics. This is very true. When few women enter into politics they gradually fall in line with the main stream. But when many women are in politics they can change the flow. Of course we are proud to have had the first woman Prime Minister of the world, a very strong leader, and later a President. But that alone cannot change the nature of politics.

TAJ: Over 63% of foreign exchange is brought in by women. They play a major role. Today it is only the Women’s’ Affairs Ministry that has been given to a woman minister. But in the UNP regime it was Women’s Affairs and Health that went along together. I see no reason why it should not be so.

If the woman is capable of handling the responsibility she should be given the chance. If a Lady Minister is given a Ministry there should be adequate monetary allocations for her to perform her responsibility properly.

How would you see the Sri Lankan situation compared to other countries in the rest of the world?

FA: I simply cannot say whether it is better or for worse. Basically all the religions in our country give such importance to other and worshipped with equal belief and honour. But what we hear and see every day, abuse, harassment etc., contradicts these concepts.

There is a concrete base laid for both the boy and the girl to educate and develop, equally. We have to use this opportunity. Compared to many other countries we are far ahead.

The problem comes with the implementation, acceptance and other myths that come with it. Well, before we try to compare ourselves with the world I think it is best to narrow down these contradictions of ideas that are within ourselves. Sri Lanka, by its nature, is a place where equality can be easily implanted.

TAJ: Not satisfactory. In Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh they got their franchise rights after us. But women representation in politics in these countries especially in India is very much higher.

In India at the local Government level legally they must have 33% of women representation. Compared to our neighbouring countries we have a very low participation and representation in politics.

At the grass roots level we need to increase. At the local Government level women representation in only 2%. There is lot of enthusiasm among the women to take part in elections at the grass roots level. I see this as I am in constant contact with this crowd.

Do you think politics have served our women satisfactorily making their lives better?

FA: No. Considering the physical and mental harm the political culture can cause to women. The political culture has not given the women the courage and confidence to come out and deal with the responsibility.

In that I blame women for not being supportive. I do not believe in going and asking men for our rights. We have to take them. On the other hand, women need to be more interested as well. Women need to value their fullest capacity and be confident enough to use it without framing herself.

The benefits given to women for their betterment are very satisfactory. They are facilitated to raise children while doing a job; they are given a higher health and education facilities. These were not taken by fighting for them. They are given to the women. This shows that we have the concept of taking care of a woman. But we have not made use of this enough.

TAJ: No not at all. For instance we went in front of the Parliamentary Select Committee on electoral reforms as a group of women politicians irrespective of our party colours, yet I could not see any interested from their side even to record our statement.

If the number of women representation can be increased it will be beneficial for everyone. In my party at the last Local Government elections my leader had instructed that every list should carry at least one woman candidate.

That was a must for all in our organisation. For the Local Government level it requires 35% of youth representation. Why not for women? We are not demanding 35% representation.We request at least 10%. The chances should be created for the women to come forward.

We have seen many women who were actively engaged in politics crossing into the field with a similar family background - parents, brother or husband. On the other hand men enter politics independently. Why we do not see women coming into politics independently?

FA: It is very interesting to observe that it was a man who was behind to many of these women politicians who are now in as representatives. It can be the husband, the father or the brother. They have always followed after a man. One has to be in such an environment to understand the total picture of this field. And importantly the courage one would derive after a shock you receive with the loss of your beloved.

If you ask a common woman to come into politics they would fear for the slander campaign. Women will have great difficulty in facing such a situation. It is very difficult. We have a long way to go to create a political culture which provides a sense of security for women who wish to enter.

TAJ: Out of the 13 women Parliamentarians’ nine of us have come into Parliament because of our fathers, husbands or brothers. Yes, it is because of the family background that they have come in to power.

But then at the grass roots level we need to increase. As I see our culture is such that women are confined to household chaos. With the current nature of the political scenario that family background assists to come into the top positions of politics. It helps one to understand the real picture of politics. Women not coming into politics independently is caused by all that is around us be it social or economical.

How do you foresee the future of women in politics?

FA: I see a silver lining for women in politic. It is the need of the hour. To make the present political arena cleaner, organised and to freshen it up more women should come in. I feel very confident about it. This place needs a difference. Women can do it.

TAJ: It is picking up fast. One may have got selected because of her family background or even not so. But it is only your dedicated work, intelligence and honesty a woman can create a very good future in politics.