The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha

¶ 01 [11.12 a.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Speaker, at the Adjournment, I move:

¶ 03 “While ensuring gender equality and creating an environment where women have equal political, economic, and social opportunities is our prime expectation, today women form the backbone of Sri Lanka’s national economy. In apparel, tea, and through foreign remittances, women have delivered a vital and consistent contribution. Their labour has grown visibly across all major income-generating streams.

¶ 04 To ensure the safety of these women who uplift our economy and to expand public facilities for them, a new legal-policy framework must be promptly established. Further, to enhance women’s participation in politics and the economy, social protection mechanisms affecting them must be strengthened and a new social vision established to change outdated attitudes.

¶ 05 As citizens, mothers, homemakers, and leaders addressing social needs, women fulfill immense responsibilities across multiple roles. However, there is still no method in Sri Lanka to calculate or value the vast ‘unpaid care work’ performed by women at home and outside, in our national economy. This direct and indirect contribution to the national economy can no longer be ignored.

¶ 06 The Government’s vision is to build a just society in which women’s labour is respected and fairly valued. Therefore, to create an enabling environment for the care economy, and to recognize unpaid women’s labour as a key component of the national economy, a National Care Policy must be formulated without delay.”

¶ 07 Hon. Speaker, March 8 is International Women’s Day — the 104th observance. In 1910, at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin proposed that March 8 be Women’s Day, recalling the 1908 protests and strikes in Manhattan where women demanded suffrage and labour rights. Since 1911, women worldwide have commemorated this day.

¶ 08 At this moment, people at home and globally are calling for peace. In any war, people — including children and women — suffer. Therefore, world peace must be protected.

¶ 09 On care labour: we have long expressed that a programme is needed to integrate care work into the national economy. The value of the care economy and the need for a national policy are urgent.

¶ 10 Internationally, frameworks and platforms have been advanced. Some ILO member countries have focused on identifying women’s contribution to the national economy, the share of services not yet captured, i.e., care economy components. Under the “3Rs” concept, first is “Recognize” — we too must focus on this.

¶ 11 Next is “Reduce” — in care work, what can we reduce? Technology and infrastructure can reduce time and burden in caregiving. Our Digital Economy Minister has introduced many solutions. Digitization offers a major step for women — for example, easing payment systems so a breastfeeding mother or a woman with disabilities need not spend long hours and risk harassment or accidents when travelling to make payments. Online systems reduce time and improve convenience. We are expanding common payment systems, bank-based credit, and production-linked facilities, thereby enhancing opportunities and women’s contribution to development.

¶ 12 Digital technology also enables online complaints. Many women hesitate to go to the police; now they can file complaints online, and inquiries and follow-ups are conducted by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

¶ 13 While technology helps, cyber-violence has increased; laws, services, and new systems through technology are helping to prevent it.

¶ 14 Next is “Redistribute” — through a National Integrated Care Programme, we can understand how to draw community participation. Care services are not solely a woman’s responsibility; a social care framework is needed.

¶ 15 For children, elders, care of persons with disabilities, and to harness women’s labour, the Government must establish a national, integrated care mechanism. That will strengthen the care economy and increase its contribution to growth. With new systems, technology, and governance reforms, women have gained confidence.

¶ 16 Previously, to enroll a child in school, mothers often had to chase politicians, face harassment, and spend money. Today, no political letter is needed; a system is in place.

¶ 17 Likewise for public employment and promotions — structured procedures exist, ensuring opportunities for women. This policy architecture is our key contribution to the care economy. The need for a National Care Policy is greater than ever, and this Budget and our Government’s programmes provide strong support.

¶ 18 Thank you.