Civil society requests President to ensure 50 percent nomination of women for Parliamentary polls
Civil society groups and individuals who are either in politics or are women in politics, in a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, yesterday requested to ensure inclusivity in governance by nominating at least 50 percent women for Parliamentary seats at the upcoming General Election.
The letter signed by over 26 civil society groups and 330 men and women who are either in politics or promote women in politics urged the President to consider involving as many women as possible in politics as he work towards establishing a new political culture free from corruption, patronage and violence, while promoting inclusivity.
“With the Parliamentary Elections scheduled to be held on November 14, we are anticipating to see a strong example set under your leadership by nominating at least 50 percent women for Parliamentary seats and leadership positions, including within party structures where women participate in decision-making as organisers and spokespersons,” the letter said.
They also acknowledged the immense challenges ahead in realising the economic, political, and social reforms that the people of Sri Lanka seek and voted for. “However, without the full participation of half the population in decision-making processes, these reforms may fall short of their potential impact,” the letter said.
Excerpts from the letter:
“The ongoing economic crisis, coupled with deep-rooted corruption, has fostered a strong demand for systemic change. Central to this transformation is the equal involvement of women in governance and legislative processes. Yet, traditional barriers and conflict-related disparities continue to prevent many women, particularly those from minority communities, from entering politics.
“Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has long been a champion of these issues, and we are hopeful that, with her support, you can lay the foundation for greater representation aiming for over 50 percent of decision-making roles in government to be held by women as a starting point.”
“We respectfully highlight the importance of the two significant upcoming elections and urge you to prioritise local and provincial elections as soon as possible. This aligns with your manifesto, particularly in terms of equitable treatment of minorities, empowering them to manage their resources, and establishing the accountability frameworks they have been seeking for over 15 years.”
“We are hopeful that your administration will take decisive action to address the long-standing grievances of Tamil-speaking communities, ensuring that all citizens feel equal, valued and respected in their own country. The NPP manifesto’s commitment to expediting the Constitutional drafting process initiated during the ‘Yahapalanaya’ government is vital.
“Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who was a member of the Public Representations Committee on Constitutional Reform, has firsthand knowledge of the aspirations of women, especially minority women, for a new Sri Lanka, making it essential to continue with the existing draft.”
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