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| Sunday, 5 September 2004 |
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Case for more women in LG by Rosanne Anderson Influencing policy makers to focus more on developing an action agenda to promote increased political representation of women at grassroots level was highlighted at the South Asia Partnership Sri Lanka (SAPSRI) National Women's Forum 2004 held at the BMICH last week. It was stated that through the participation of women, local governance could be improved in a meaningful manner and the media could do much to change this situation. Sharmila Gonawela, Colombo MC member, speaking of her entry to the political arena pointed out the importance of women's participation in local governance and their active participation. A series of narrations in dramatic form were presented by many groups from the outstations focusing on the reality and difficulties women face when embarking on a political career. "President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in her message, read out by Sharmini Boyle has stated that even though women comprise more than half of our population, only a mere two per cent are represented at local government. "We are far behind our neighbours India and Pakistan where 33 per cent of the local administrators are women. In Bangladesh, it is 30 per cent and Nepal has 20 per cent. "In our Pradeshiya Sabhas, Urban and Municipal Councils, there are 3902 members, but of them, only 77 are women. This is certainly a cause for concern in a country which produced the world's first woman Prime Minister. "The main factors responsible for gender inequality in local government politics in the country perhaps is the violence that prevails in our society today. We in Sri Lanka are witnessing a virtual criminalisation of politics and a politicisation of crime. Some of our obsolete attitudes have to change and the media can contribute much to change this situation, the President has added. The President in her speech has also thanked the Canadian Development Agency for their effort in promoting the empowerment of women in Sri Lanka. SAPSRI is a non-profit development organisation that works towards creating a closely linked network of people's organisations capable of understanding, sustainable and self-reliant. It was established in 1987 and is a constituent member of a unique international network of development oriented organisations operating in Bangladesh, Canada, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SAPSRI's objectives at national level are achieved through its vitalisation of local communities by way of creating social awareness, capacity building, community action, infrastructural development promoting women's participation and micro-credit schemes for entrepreneurial development. During its lifespan of 23 years, SAPSRI has successfully brought about social and economic transformations, in more than 750 villages throughout the island. |
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