COLOMBO – Sri Lanka has seen a sharp regression in gender equality, falling 15 places in a global index over the past two decades, according to a new study presented to the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus by the UN Women program.
The research revealed that Sri Lanka, which ranked 18th out of 115 countries in 2006, has now dropped to 130th among 148 countries in 2025. The study underscores how, despite the visibility of influential women in Sri Lanka and the region, entrenched gender disparities persist across multiple spheres.
The UN Women team said their assessment focused on four priority areas: women’s economic empowerment, women’s leadership in governance and decision-making, women, peace and security, and the prevention of violence against women and girls. Findings highlighted persistent gaps in women’s labour force participation, unequal representation in political leadership, and limited institutional mechanisms to address gender-based violence.
“Although Sri Lanka has a long history of women in politics and public life, significant inequality was identified when compared to men, especially in economic and decision-making spheres,” the statement tabled in Parliament noted.
Chairperson of the Caucus, Minister Saroja Paulraj, called on ministries to take immediate and practical steps to reverse this trend. She proposed that each ministry allocate targeted funds within their annual budgets for initiatives aimed at empowering women, enhancing participation in leadership, and strengthening protection mechanisms.
The research findings come at a time when Sri Lanka’s female labour participation rate remains below 35%, women occupy only around 10% of seats in Parliament, and reports of violence and harassment against women continue to rise. Advocates say the country’s regression in global rankings is a wake-up call for policymakers to move beyond symbolic gestures and implement structural reforms that ensure women have equal opportunities to contribute to the nation’s recovery and development.
-ENCL
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.