Alexander SammonUpdated on: October 13, 2024 3:05 am GMT
Despite being the majority of voters in Sri Lanka, women will find no female candidates on the ballot for Saturday’s presidential election. With over half of the electorate composed of women, the lack of representation highlights ongoing gender disparities in the Sri Lankan political landscape.
Election Context
Sri Lanka, an island nation with approximately 22 million people, is preparing to vote for a new president to steer the country toward economic recovery following a severe financial crisis in 2022 that led to political upheaval and the ousting of the sitting president. More than 17 million eligible voters are set to cast their ballots for a record 38 candidates in what is expected to be a tight contest.
Noteworthy candidates include:
- Ranil Wickremesinghe: The incumbent president who has taken on the role as an independent candidate.
- Sajith Premadasa: The leader of the opposition, representing a significant challenge to Wickremesinghe.
- Anura Dissanayake: The head of a popular Marxist-led coalition.
Voting for this election is seen as pivotal for the future of Sri Lanka, but while progress is anticipated, women remain marginalized in political representation.
The Gender Gap in Politics
While women constitute nearly 9 million voters in Sri Lanka, the absence of female candidates for the presidential role is disappointing to many. “I feel a little disappointed,” said Sandami Nimesha, a first-time voter and information technology student. She believes that a female president would prioritize female voters’ issues, stating, “I think it’s better if there is a female candidate.”
The situation reflects a broader historical trend in Sri Lankan politics, which has largely been dominated by men since universal suffrage was established in 1931. The statistics are striking; in 2023, only 13 out of 193 United Nations member states had women as heads of government, according to a Pew Research Center analysis.
A History of Female Leadership
Sri Lanka has seen notable female leaders in the past. Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world’s first female prime minister in 1960, serving multiple terms. Her daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga, later became the first and only female president from 1994 to 2005. Both women had political backgrounds, often stepping into roles after the passing of male relatives.
Despite this legacy, the trend skewed towards male leadership continues. According to Sepali Kottegoda, a women’s rights activist and founder of the Women and Media Collective, this lack of representation stems from a deeply entrenched patriarchal structure. “The main political parties are so male-oriented… they don’t find it convenient to step aside and allow women party members to come up and contest,” she explained.
Progress and Challenges
In 2016, Sri Lanka passed a law requiring local councils to include at least 25% women, a progressive step towards gender equality in local governance. However, the momentum has not translated into significant representation in higher political offices. Kottegoda’s organization is now advocating for a similar quota for the national parliament, where female representation currently stands at only 5.3%.
The dearth of female candidates in the presidential race is seen as a setback. In the 2019 election, Ajantha Perera ran for president as the first woman in two decades but lost to Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Despite the absence of female candidates this time, she remains hopeful for future elections. “I firmly believe that might make a difference,” she says, advocating for increased opportunities for women in politics.
Conclusion
As Sri Lanka gets ready for an important election, it’s clear that there aren’t many women running for office. This shows that there is still a big gap between men and women in politics. Even though women make up a large part of the voters, they have very little say in decisions that impact their lives. Activists are working hard to change this and want to see more women involved in the future. This election is not just about choosing a new president; it’s also a chance to think about how to make sure everyone is represented fairly in Sri Lanka’s government.
