The Role of Women in Reconciliation - Asanga Abeyagoonasekera

Tuesday, 06 November 2012

Why did we select ‘women’ as the referent point of today’s deliberations? There is no doubt that the war affects everyone irrespective of their gender. Yet, the impact is different and disproportionate. However, the need to pay special attention to different needs, vulnerabilities, priorities and capacities of men and women is often ignored in the conventional peace processes and from the post-conflict peace building initiatives. In most cases women are under-represented or not represented at all leaving their concerns and wants unheard. It risks jeopardizing the entire peace process as a large portion of post conflict societies comprises of female headed households.

As Asians we can be proud since more women have reached the highest positions of power in this region than anywhere else in the world. Sri Lanka itself had the first female Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, and a female President. The principal contributor to the Sri Lankan economy worth of US$ 4 billion comes through foreign remittances from the women working abroad. Apart from that women’s contribution to our exports from garment factories and tea plantations is significant. That being said, the Asian women have a long way to go.

According to the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2009-2010, the number of female households in Sri Lanka account for 23% of the total. In some villages in North and East, bulk of the population composes of widows. They are the bread winner and care giver. This is when they themselves are undergoing enormous amount of pressure from the society, coupled with the traumatic experiences of losing their loved ones. Therefore, it is an imperative that the policy makers and implementers make a discriminate attempt in assisting this group.

During my meeting with the UN Head Quarters in New York 2 days ago they appreciated our effort in recognizing importance of women in reconciliation. UN has taken the initiative in 2010 July to establish UN Women Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

Though our scope and time is limited, at today’s conference our speakers will dwell on a series of issues relating to women and harmony, health care of women especially in North and East, skill development of war widows, financial empowerment as well as gender dynamics in post conflict situations.

A couple of months ago, in Thailand, I had the opportunity to meet one of the prominent women leaders, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. She says that gender inequality is cultural than economic. In Sri Lanka, I think it takes rather a political turn. Therefore, the best way to tackle it would be through education and creating conducive politico-social environment.

Increasing the representation of women in all three tiers of the government, central, provincial and local governments, formulates the necessary institutional setup. It would be completed if we incorporate gender studies to school education at a younger age, which will assist in nurturing a system of protective networks in the society.

Promote and support women’s cooperatives, entrepreneurship in the North and East and increase public spending in order to meet the entitlement needs of women at the grass root livelihood challenges.

Given the sheer numbers of them, it would be important to prepare a national policy document on the humanitarian needs of widows as there has to be a differentiated approach to address the needs and problems of the women.

Asanga Abeyagoonasekera

(Executive Director)

Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS), ColomboI believe that women can reinstate the torn social fabric due to three decade war by being the champions in our national reconciliation process.