The discussion on the challenges faced by women engaged in agriculture in Sri Lanka was held with the participation of many resource persons representing various sectors,
as they met with the Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender-based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka in Parliament on September 23 rd .
In particular, the parties pointed out that women in agriculture face problems in five main areas: natural resources and land ownership, market access, access to financial services, new technology, and family-related care responsibilities. Therefore, the participating resource persons pointed out that the relevant parties should pay attention to this matter.
They further pointed out that women can actively contribute to the process of shaping and transforming the food system in Sri Lanka if some solutions to these problems are found.
Chairperson of this Select Committee, Hon. State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle stated that there were issues common to the entire agricultural sector and through this discussion it was possible to identify several issues that were specific to women.
Accordingly, attention of this Special Committee will be drawn with regard to this matter, said the State Minister further. The State Minister also stated that also said that steps will be taken to inform the Minister of Finance to pay attention to these matters in the budget to be presented for the year 2022.
Several agricultures based female union leaders also joined the discussion online and expressed their views.
Hon. Parliamentarians Sivagnanam Shritharan, Imran Maharoof, Manjula Dissanayake, Dr.Harini Amarasuriya, Diana Gamage, officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Pre- Schools and Primary Education, School Infrastructure and Education Services Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Select Committee Mrs. Kushani Rohanadheera and several other Parliament officials participated in the
committee meeting held online.
