Your ideal female politician.... 

Sri Lankan women today are facing an interesting conundrum: they enjoy more rights than before but yet there seems to a glass ceiling of patriarchal tradition especially in the parliament. Despite Sri Lankan females gaining their franchise prior to their counterparts in first world countries Sri Lanka has far less female representation in parliament than is acceptable. The voice of women needs to emerge in a more powerful manner to promote expression of the female gender in Sri Lanka. Women in politics means giving women an incentive, providing them with knowledge with which they will be able to empower themselves and be on a more equal footing. If there is one thing women in politics needs to accomplish is to form a collective voice to  to break through the barrier of male dominance and to change the political climate so that more women are included in parliament. So with speculation about an election in the offing what type of female politician do women at work wish to elect?

Sanjini Munaweera

My ideal representative would be someone who is strong (not brash), who understands and empathizes with the real issues that women and children are faced with in society today. Someone passionate about serving the people, not just adding a feather to her cap. Someone who can relate to people from any strata of life and who in turn we can all relate to as well. Someone who can deliver, not just talk. Someone who is not necessarily a feminist but an inspiration to other women and motivates women to achieve things for themselves irrespective of their circumstances.

Wendy Ebenezer

The woman I would vote in to represent me would be the kind who would not be too worried about how glamorous she looked in front of the camera as much as remember that a little makeup could work wonders for a woman visibly battered and bruised the previous night. Be it women in the workplace, or women in the home; neither is treated with respect or honour (although there are countless nonsensical songs in Sinhala and Tamil alluding to the myth of motherhood!!). My ambassador to parliament must know the extreme hardships and insults/ridicule I endure in our male-dominant society (on several levels), on a daily basis. She must also be aware that, although there are several services allegedly dedicated to protecting women in this country [from verbal/physical abuse], none of them actually cater to women in their terrorized state; no one offers a safe haven away from human predators. In addition to ensuring that all current laws protecting women are practiced and women are educated in how they may receive such services, this lady should bring in laws that enable all women of Sri Lanka (even the handicapped) to receive training in self-defense – at the government’s expense!

Kumudhika Pahathkumbure

The mother is the heart of our traditional family unit. The importance of her role in society has even been recognized by our religion. It is she who steers the family in the proper direction. Sadly, this is not so at present. As a result we hear many terrible tragedies. Hence, my ideal woman MP would be a mature woman who understands our values. She should also strive to upkeep them. She should be committed and moreover be a person who has a record for being so. It is only then that she could command respect and be a leader and a role model.

Needra Silva

The impact of women parliamentarians depend on the economic and political context in which the parliament functions, the background, experience and the number of women who are already in parliament, and the rules of the parliamentary process. Still, I would like to vote in a woman parliamentarian who would look into issues relating to sexism, education and work ethics/environment for women and be committed to equality and social justice. She should be of certain educational standing and an elegant communicator but also willing to get down and get her hands dirty as well and not just be a pretty face in a designer sari.

Tanuja Bakshani

I want to see more women in parliament as the present numbers are woefully inadequate. They need to be more vociferous and take up more women’s issues and stand up for our rights. We should have candidates who are educated and know the subject not seek election because they are actresses or stars. We need female politicians who can talk the talk and walk the walk. We need female politcians who understand the vagaries of life and not think that life is like the celluloid world some of them work in. Also our people should refrain from voting in female politicians just because their mum or dad was in parliament before. They should be voted in on their own merits.

Azhara Careem

I want a female politician that does not underestimate herself but be full of confidence to compete in a predominantly male environment. In a way she should play the role of a mother for her constituents. She should have a strategic plan to encourage women to be more active in all spheres of society ranging from politics to economic development. The ability to lead and encourage more women to participate in society and be a role model to younger female generations is an absolute must.

Kalpana Fernando

I want a fearless female politician who will stand up for all communities and one who has the courage to speak the truth. We need women with self esteem. I want political nepotism to cease. We dont want any more female politicians whose campaigns have been funded by their parliamentarian dad’s illgotten gains.

Shamistha De Silva

The key to a lasting betterment of our society lies in achieving greater female leadership. Someone who is truly passionate about bringing change and betterment to our country, someone who is in it for the long haul! She needs to be someone who can speak up for all women of this country because there are so many who are voiceless - concerning even the legal basis for equality of men and women. She needs to be educated and have the relevant expertise, because more often that not, with Sri Lanka’s electoral system, the people who come in are not qualified and therefore are not capable of bringing out the necessary change. She needs to be committed to equality, social justice and concerned about the “many” and not the “few”.

By Tina Edward Gunawardhana