The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has called for legal amendments to increase women’s representation at provincial councils, local government elections

The Women Parliamentarians' Caucus of Sri Lanka has called for the increase of women’s representation in the provincial councils and local government elections by making the necessary legal amendments.

The caucus which includes representatives from party lines, called for legal provisions that would ensure a minimum of 33% women’s representation both with the nominations lists for local government and provincial council elections, as well as among the elected members. '

The caucus, in a statement issued to the media, said that it would hold discussions with the Election Commission to move this proposal forward.

Context

Currently, under Local Authorities Election Law and Provincial Councils Elections Law, political parties have to reserve 25% of their seat quota for local government bodies and provincial councils, for women.

The Women Parliamentarians' Caucus of Sri Lanka want to increase this percentage to 33%, including reserving seats for women within nomination lists or through introducing provisions through a mixed electoral system.

The push for increased representation at provincial and local government levels comes alongside a shift in the national legislature, where Sri Lanka's current Parliament contains 22 female MPs, marking the highest number of women legislators in the country's history.

The Caucus

The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus is a cross-party committee within the Parliament of Sri Lanka, comprising of all sitting female Members of Parliament.

To achieve its goals, the caucus engages in comprehensive parliamentary advocacy by coordinating structural activities with local government bodies, state ministries, UN agencies, and global women’s organizations while conducting training workshops and district-level outreach partnerships.

The current caucus is chaired by Saroja Savithri Paulraj, the Minister of Women and Child Affairs.