Sri Lankan Politics Swing to Human Rights Policies, Recognizing Women Voters

Sri Lankan politicians are turning to female voters in what is seen as a generational shift, as they make promises to provide free pads in schools, childcare for working women and improved women’s – as well as LGBTQ+ – rights.

“This is new and quite unprecedented,” says Sepali Kottegoda, programmes director at Sri Lanka’s Women and Media Collective, to the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “Women’s issues have rarely been a focus, at least it has rarely been highlighted in this way.”

Campaigners have noted that many have played a role in the massive shift of promises, including a vocal women’s rights movement, an increase of female politicians, and even the growing power of social media. Additionally, 52% of Sri Lanka’s registered voters are female – and although the country does not break down voter results by gender, female queues during voting tend to always be the longest.

Pledges include providing free sanitary hygiene products, reforming marriage and divorce laws, and even decriminalizing gay sex – a national first.