Sepali Kottegoda is founder and Director of Programmes on Gender and Political Economy at Women and Media Collective, a non-governmental organization (NGO) working for women’s rights in Sri Lanka. She talks about how public policies can be designed to advance gender equality and fulfill the commitments of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
How did the Beijing Conference influence the women’s rights movement in Sri Lanka?
In 1995, 60 women representing non-governmental organizations from Sri Lanka made their way to the Beijing Conference through the Sri Lanka Women’s NGO Forum coordinated by Women and Media Collective. This was the first time such a large group of women’s NGOs were able to attend such a global event focused on women’s rights. For many, it was the first time they realized that thousands of women from around the world shared the same struggles – that these issues were not isolated to our country. Even now, 30 years later, the impact has been profound.
What challenges do women face in employment and pay gaps?
Increasingly, we see a pattern where women searching for paid employment are being pushed into the informal sector where work is insecure, irregular and lacks retirement benefits. Family care responsibilities often compel women to leave or take time off from paid work. Social norms further push women out of paid work due to employers’ bias against maternal obligations. Our research on unpaid care work highlights the need for childcare centres and a cultural shift to encourage men to equally share household responsibilities.
How has the recent economic crisis affected women in Sri Lanka?
The recent economic crisis has intensified the hardships faced by women. When food is scarce, women often eat the least. As the cost of living soars, their ability to provide quality care for their families has been severely compromised.
How can public policy in Sri Lanka address gender inequality?
As a country, we must consider whether public policy is formulated to make gender equality a reality. For example, when it comes to financial aid given to households, we need to identify and analyze which family member is considered eligible, how is the money is utilized, and who truly benefits. Much of our taxation is indirect, leading to higher consumer prices that disproportionately affect low-income households. At the same time, investment in public services has continuously declined over the last 25 to 30 years. We must prioritize quality public services when considering the country’s investment needs. For example, the national health service is a lifeline for 30 to 40 per cent of the population. Privatization cannot create a level playing field for everyone.
What gives you hope for the future of women’s rights in Sri Lanka?
The emerging voices of the younger generation representing diverse backgrounds bring hope. Women-focused NGOs have brought visibility to women's rights and gender equality, creating more positive engagement. With younger voices, it is clear that they will not sit back and say, ‘That's how life is and how our culture is.’ More people are challenging these notions, saying ‘This doesn’t have to be.’