The Sri Lanka Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has stressed the urgent need for legal reforms to ensure a minimum of 33% women’s representation in Provincial Council and Local Government elections.
At a caucus meeting held in Parliament under the chairmanship of Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savitri Paulraj, members discussed proposals to be submitted to the Special Parliamentary Committee tasked with reviewing women and youth representation in Provincial Council elections and determining the electoral system under which they should be conducted.
The caucus emphasized the importance of introducing legal provisions to guarantee women’s representation both in nomination lists and among elected members, with discussions also planned with the Election Commission to advance these proposals.
Options under consideration include ensuring representation through nomination list requirements, mandatory seat allocation, or a mixed electoral system.
Members also highlighted challenges such as prevailing social attitudes, high election expenses, and the need for political party cooperation in raising women’s participation.
The caucus underscored the importance of public awareness programs to promote women’s political engagement. (Newswire)