Women's status in SL needs more discussion

THE key findings and recommendations of the research conducted by the UN Women program on gender equality in Sri Lanka presented to the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus this week showed that there has been a regression in gender equality in Sri Lanka in the global context. While Sri Lanka was ranked 18th among 115 countries in 2006, it dropped to 130th among 148 countries in 2025.

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The research conducted by United Nations Women (UN Women) on gender equality focused primarily on areas such as women's economic empowerment, leadership in governance and decision-making, peace and security, and the prevention of violence against women and girls.

The report also revealed that although some of the most influential individuals in the region are women, significant inequality was identified when compared to men.

The report says what most Sri Lankan women and those in South Asia know. There is visibility of women in high places especially in the public sector in Sri Lanka, in higher education institutions, banks as well as some private sector establishments but women largely continue to play second fiddle to their male colleagues. It's not only pay disparities but women have an uphill task trying to be taken seriously or being heard.