The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, in view of International Women’s Day 2026, the Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe has today brought an Adjournment Motion “to evaluate women’s labour contribution to the national economy and to prepare a National Care Policy by linking unpaid care work to the economy.” Before addressing matters we have identified in this debate, I wish to briefly speak about International Women’s Day.

¶ 02 International Women’s Day arose from women’s struggles and is defined by them. Around the world, women continue to struggle—against world wars and, in our times, against conflicts in Syria, Palestine, Ukraine and now Iran. Wars are cruel beyond doubt; war only knows how to destroy. War is not confined to borders—it is waged on women’s bodies and on children’s futures. According to UN reports, in Gaza about 70 percent of those killed are women and children. Wars do not only kill soldiers; they destroy entire generations, leaving deep psychological wounds and losses, wiping out a lifetime of savings, and turning people into refugees within their own countries. We witnessed this in Sri Lanka for 30 years and across the world. We sorrowfully recall, even now, women affected in the current conflict zone, as well as Sri Lankans working as domestic workers in the Gulf who face hardship. We extend the hand of peace and stand ready to provide all necessary support to them and their families, and to bring them back immediately if needed.

¶ 03 In the course of women’s continuous struggles, having moved from fighting for broad rights, they now also fight under the banner “the personal is political,” compelled to seek individual rights, equality in the economy, and equality before the law. In line with today’s Motion, when we consider how we are linking women’s care work to the national economy, we see that we have established by law a Commission dedicated to women—a Women’s Commission focused on rights and enforcement, committed to resolving women’s issues and ensuring their rights. Under the Women’s Empowerment law, this Commission will advance women’s futures in this country.

¶ 04 We are also bringing a new law to address shortcomings identified in the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, No. 34 of 2005, to strengthen legal implementation against domestic violence. The Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act of 1954, which barred women from working after 6 p.m., was amended in 2024, removing that barrier to women’s employment, thereby allowing opportunities for evening and night work under proper guidance.

¶ 05 Further, the 2023 Anti-Corruption Act recognized sexual bribery as a form of corruption, providing a legal tool to protect women from sexual exploitation at workplaces, institutions and educational settings. On microfinance, through the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill presented yesterday, we are moving to protect women harmed by microcredit. Additionally, amid economic crises, we have organized low-income women and women-headed households by Grama Niladhari divisions into Women’s Action Societies, through which the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs provides financial support—credit facilities, production support, market access, advisory services, handicrafts, warehousing and job linkages.

¶ 06 We also provide guidance and training for caregiving—childcare, eldercare and other home-based care—professionalizing and socializing care work. Thus, as today’s Motion proposes, we are ready to recognize women’s care work not only as social work but also as economically valuable work that develops human capital.

¶ 07 We appreciate today’s Motion by Hon. Samanmali Gunasinghe to integrate the care economy into the national economy in line with International Women’s Day. This reflects the results of our long struggle and longstanding demands. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls.” In harmony with that, Sri Lanka’s theme is “Pride of a Prosperous Nation – She Leads the Way.” Our Ministry has advanced these themes and also focuses on “When She Rises, the Nation Rises”—we believe a country truly rises when its women rise.

¶ 08 I also wish to socialize an additional concept: “Women are also human beings.” If we accept women as human beings and respect each other as humans, nothing more is required. At present, there is a political desire to organize women against women in Sri Lanka. We state clearly: wherever women awaken, become politically conscious and step forward, taking leadership even in adversarial political contexts, we stand with them. Our struggle is conceptual, theoretical and strategic—to empower women and bring them into social action—not a personal feud. For example, many seek to target the Women’s Commission and claim it is being subordinated to a ministry. Such talk reflects a bid for power—an attempt to pit a commission against a ministry to create a social conflict. It is a conspiracy by isolated and defeated forces. We have no need to respond to such conspiracies; we know them well.

¶ 09 We know how essential the Women’s Commission is to address burning national issues: for legal reforms, decisions, guidance and empowerment. The Commission must function swiftly. Women must shoulder their share of social responsibility. Therefore, with a feminist lens, we must economically strengthen women to reduce multidimensional poverty, violence, contemporary deprivation and marginalization. We are a political movement that recognizes unpaid care work as a foundation of the national economy.

¶ 10 The main pathway of this new journey is to ensure women’s economic security and independence—freeing women from the microfinance debt trap; creating market platforms like “Liya Shakthi” and online markets; raising women’s digital economic literacy; fostering a friendly entrepreneurial culture with concessional capital. We aim to create an environment free of fear where every girl and woman can lead in any field, assuring their dignity, and to advance “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” by bringing her forward.

¶ 11 As Sri Lankans—beyond gender—we must embrace the noble vision: “Women are also human beings.” True empowerment means women having autonomy to make decisions about their lives and a social structure that respects those choices. When empowered, a woman becomes the life force that drives a nation’s pride and progress. For such a country, we extend our wishes to all women who unite. On this Women’s Day, we stand hand-in-hand with all women—especially those suffering due to war and displacement in the Middle East—praying for peace and solace, and for calm, fulfilled lives. We believe every woman must rise as an empowered woman.

¶ 12 A grand rally will be held on the 8th to mark Women’s Day. The Ministry will also host a marketplace and exhibition for 300 women entrepreneurs, providing opportunities across activities. We all pray for the empowered woman—economically, socially and attitudinally free—who can uplift families, the country and the world. I call on all of you to unite to give that strength to every mother, daughter, sister and wife.

¶ 13 Thank you.