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

¶ 01 [10.59 a.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I first wish a very happy International Women’s Day to all women who represent the working class in Sri Lanka and the world, who even now are rebuilding the economy, bearing responsibilities within household economies, and serving at all levels—administrative and executive; to you in the Chair, to the Secretary-General, to the Hon. Prime Minister, and to our 22 Hon. women Members of this Parliament.

¶ 03 Globally, when discussing women’s political history, we have long spoken of workplace rights—labour rights, children’s rights, maternity benefits. Despite women’s significant contribution to economic output, they have not enjoyed commensurate benefits. Hence we speak of gender-sensitive or gender-responsive budgeting.

¶ 04 In 76 years since Independence, although women contributed greatly to economic output, they received unequal benefits. Therefore, for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, a gender-sensitive Budget has been presented by the National People’s Power Government. As the Ministry, our responsibility is not only to provide material relief through fiscal allocations but also to ensure wellbeing. In three months as Minister, reviewing two decades of files, I found much that needs policy and structural reform for women and children. We accept that responsibility as a Government.

¶ 05 Education, health, women’s empowerment, law and equal rights—where women and children should be placed will decide our nation’s future. We, not just as a single ministry but as the whole Government, assume responsibility for the future generation.

¶ 06 This is an eight-month Budget—our new Government’s initial budget, not the last. We have taken the most achievable first steps for women’s and children’s development.

¶ 07 We yearn for equality. As NPP, as women activists, and as those who value women’s freedom and justice, we seek a society where any woman—like a nut or bolt in a great machine—has her due place and dignity, and space to deploy her skills, attitudes, knowledge and experience for social transformation, recognized and valued with proper remuneration. That is a “developed society.”

¶ 08 We believe respect must be given to receive respect. A society where men respect women and women respect men is essential to achieve higher human development. Rather than reacting to isolated incidents, we need attitudinal, strategic and policy transformations. Therefore, we have prepared a National Action Plan.

¶ 09 Our Ministry covers women and children. No mother forgets her child. Initially, two ministries’ Heads were to be debated today; the Opposition suggested both could be discussed together, but we requested a full day for this specialized subject. This is not only about women; it is for the nation—women, men, children, persons with special needs and the marginalized.

¶ 10 Previously, Women and Child Affairs often lacked a Cabinet portfolio; now it is a Cabinet ministry. Hence, our decisions are taken within the Cabinet framework, indicating the gravity accorded by our Government.

¶ 11 For Women’s Week, our national theme is “A Sustainable Tomorrow: A Path Where She Is Empowered,” aligning with the UN’s call for equality and empowerment for every woman and girl. We believe our country cannot see a sustainable tomorrow without empowered women. Throughout this week, nationwide—from national to provincial, district and divisional levels—we are conducting legal awareness, empowerment projects, protection programmes and health awareness, village by village. This is not a single ceremony but a structured national programme.

¶ 12 For child development, we believe a healthy child is born to a healthy mother. Thus, our Ministry bears responsibilities from ensuring nutrition for expectant mothers onwards. We have allocated Rs. 7,500 million under our Vote for maternal nutrition support during pregnancy.

¶ 13 Until recently, the preschool morning meal allocation per child was Rs. 60. We raised it to Rs. 100 and expanded beneficiary numbers because today’s preschoolers are tomorrow’s nation. We must ease mothers’ burdens. The burden of children is a national responsibility.

¶ 14 We have increased the “Guru Abhimani” allowance for preschool teachers. Provisions are made for Early Childhood Care and Development, the National Child Protection Authority, Probation and Child Care Services, etc.

¶ 15 Children sent to probation institutions after court orders were previously transported in vehicles used for other offenders. We obtained Cabinet approval and allocated funds this year for a dedicated secure transport vehicle for such children.

¶ 16 We acknowledge longstanding systemic gaps. We have good understanding and oversight of deficiencies in legal, health, education and labour regimes, and policy weaknesses that lead to injustice to women and children. We need time; this is an initial approach. We welcome constructive proposals.

¶ 17 We are discussing legal, health and education programmes with various stakeholders, including NGOs and development partners. Under our Ministry, five agencies—the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, Department of Probation and Child Care Services, National Child Protection Authority, Sri Lanka Women’s Bureau, and National Committee on Women—are coordinating to implement agreed programmes. We are addressing institutional shortcomings and staff issues, and supporting our officers delivering maximum service with limited numbers—often with minimal transport allowances, carrying large file loads, visiting homes. This system has endured not due to political authority but due to these dedicated officers serving women and children. We salute them and promise to strengthen our Ministry through digitization and better facilities.

¶ 18 Women’s and children’s empowerment requires strengthening through education, health, legal protection and labour law compliance; early childhood development (0–5 years) is critical. We are discussing with the Education Ministry Committee chaired by the Hon. Prime Minister how to modernize curricula for early childhood development. We are coordinating with Health, Justice and Labour to ensure better lives for women and children.

¶ 19 Finally, to clarify a media report referred to by Hon. Rohini Kumari: a newspaper reported a 15 per cent tax on foreign remittances, especially affecting women. The Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning corrected this in Parliament, stating it was false and action would be taken. Therefore I will not dwell on it further.

¶ 20 We will continue these efforts. Empowering women and children requires all of us to shoulder responsibility and build an ethical, strategic and attitudinal transformation. Thank you for the opportunity.