Sri Lanka has recorded a significant regression in global gender equality rankings, according to research conducted by UN Women, which was presented this week to the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus in Parliament.
The study found that Sri Lanka, which ranked 18th among 115 countries in 2006, has fallen to 130th place among 148 countries in 2025.
The research, presented on September 26 during a meeting chaired by Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, focused on key areas including women’s economic empowerment, leadership in governance and decision-making, peace and security, and the prevention of violence against women and girls.
Although some of the most influential individuals in the region are women, the study identified persistent and significant inequalities compared to men, both socially and economically.
Addressing the caucus, Minister Paulraj stressed the importance of integrating women’s empowerment into national policy. She proposed that in addition to the allocations made to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, every ministry should earmark funds within their budgets to support women’s empowerment initiatives in the 2026 Budget.
She further noted plans to conduct a comprehensive study on the challenges faced by women in politics and governance, ranging from local government institutions to the presidency, with the support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).
The session also included discussions with representatives of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), who outlined their programmes aimed at enhancing women’s political participation at the local, provincial, and national levels.
Several MPs including Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Oshani Umanga, Krishnan Kalaichelvi, Thushari Jayasinghe, Anushka Thilakaratne, A.M.M.M. Ratwatte, Hasara Liyanage, and Ambika Samivel were present at the meeting.
