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Four UNFPA reports to inform gender-responsive reforms
View(s):By Tharushi Weerasinghe
UNFPA representative Kunle Adeniyi with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya
Four new research reports highlighting systemic gender inequalities, from discriminatory laws and barriers to political participation to technology-facilitated violence and climate vulnerabilities, were launched in Colombo on Wednesday (27), providing data and policy recommendations to inform gender-responsive reforms in Sri Lanka.
The reports, launched by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka at a policy and research forum titled “Unlocking the Gender Dividend: Driving Policy Change Through Knowledge,” include Barriers to Women’s Political Participation in Sri Lanka, Gendered Vulnerabilities to Climate Change in Sri Lanka in the Context of the Economic Crisis, Gender Discrimination in Sri Lanka: Law, Policy and Practice, and Technology-Facilitated Violence Experienced by Women, Girls, LGBTQIA+ Persons, and Ethnic Minorities in Sri Lanka. Key findings from the study Counting and Valuing Women’s Work in Sri Lanka were also presented to guide future policy and programming.
Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the government is committed to evidence-based approaches to addressing gender disparities, noting that gender equality requires multi-sectoral action. UNFPA Sri Lanka Representative Kunle Adeniyi said the reports provide critical data to support actionable policies for sustainable development.
The study on gendered vulnerabilities to climate change notes that risks vary across districts, shaped by population size, poverty, and intersecting inequalities. Colombo and Gampaha, with the largest populations of women and girls, face the highest exposure but also have greater adaptive capacity. Kilinochchi and Batticaloa, with fewer resources, face heightened vulnerability despite lower exposure. It links climate variability and economic instability to challenges in health, livelihoods, education, political participation, and protection from violence, particularly for rural women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Recommendations include integrating social inclusion into climate adaptation programmes, expanding social protection, supporting women’s leadership in decision-making, and addressing structural inequalities that restrict economic independence and access to resources.
The report Gender Discrimination in Sri Lanka: Law, Policy and Practice, produced by LexAG for UNFPA, identifies 28 discriminatory laws with 67 provisions across multiple sectors. These include laws on matrimonial affairs and property, employment, and regulations targeting female monks in the Buddhist monastic order, as well as Penal Code provisions related to gender-based violence and abortion. It also highlights discriminatory impacts of the Vagrants Ordinance and Brothels Ordinance, as well as bias in citizenship and nationality laws. Workplace regulations, such as the Shop and Office Act, restrict women’s overtime work, reinforcing inequality.
Discrimination extends beyond legislation, with women in informal sectors, the Malaiyaha Tamil community, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI individuals facing additional barriers, including arbitrary law enforcement and limited access to legal redress. Although many of these laws have been flagged for reform, systemic inertia and a lack of institutional leadership have delayed progress. The report identifies the National Commission of Women, established under the 2024 Women Empowerment Act, as a potential driver for reform if adequately supported and operationalised.
The report on women’s political participation analyses structural, cultural, and institutional barriers to engagement. Patriarchal norms and socio-cultural expectations restrict participation across Sinhala-Buddhist, Tamil, and Muslim communities. Tamil women in post-war regions face challenges linked to displacement and militarisation, while Malaiyaha Tamil women experience generational exclusion driven by economic marginalisation and caste-based barriers. Muslim women face additional restrictions under personal laws and customary practices.
Economic barriers — including low labour force participation, wage disparities, and unequal access to party resources — limit women’s ability to contest elections. Male-dominated patronage networks and the absence of gender-responsive provisions in the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act (2023) further hinder competitiveness. Gender-based violence, including harassment, reputational attacks, and digital abuse, continues to deter women, particularly in conservative and post-conflict areas.
While the 25% quota introduced in local government elections in 2016 increased representation, substantive participation remains limited, with many women elected through political family ties or elite networks. The report recommends targeted reforms, zero-tolerance measures against violence, and institutionalised gender parity in party structures and legislation.
The study on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, commissioned by UNFPA and UN Women, documents the rise of online abuse targeting women, girls, LGBTQIA+ persons, and ethnic minorities. Based on a survey of 361 participants, 57% reported feeling unsafe online and 29% said they had experienced online violence, with 12% reporting daily or near-daily abuse. Common forms of abuse included obscene messages or videos, fake profiles, and abusive calls, with Facebook and WhatsApp being the most cited platforms.
The study notes that 92% of incidents occurred online, but 54% escalated offline, leading to harassment, physical violence, reputational harm, or job loss. Survivors reported withdrawing from social media, experiencing relationship breakdowns, and facing economic losses. Among survivors, 56% were women, 27% LGBTQIA+ persons, and 17% men, with most under 30. Among women, 66% of Sinhalese, 47% of Muslim, and 40% of Tamil respondents reported feeling unsafe online. Muslim and Tamil respondents also reported higher rates of identity-based hate compared to Sinhalese respondents.
The report observes spikes in online hate during events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic crisis, Aragalaya movement, and Easter Sunday attacks. Gaps in legal and institutional frameworks, including limited coverage by the Cyber Crimes Investigations Division and lack of training for law enforcement, have hindered responses. Only 5.7% of survivors accessed counselling services. Recommendations include education on digital literacy and consent, fostering respectful online communication, creating safer school and workplace environments, and pursuing legal reforms with stronger platform accountability and responsible media practices.
The forum concluded with calls for government, civil society, and development partners to use the data and recommendations from the reports to shape gender-responsive policies and programming aimed at closing gender gaps and supporting national and global development goals.
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