The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has proposed that 50% of the National List at elections should be of women.
The Caucus expressed its views to the Select Committee appointed to identify appropriate election law reforms, electoral system and to recommend amendments.
Speaking on behalf of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Chairperson, State Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle said the representation of women in Parliament, Provincial Councils and Local Government Authorities should be increased to 30%.
The State Minister suggested that representation of women in State Boards and Commissions should be increased to 33%.
State Minister Fernandopulle also highlighted the need to implement the same law for all elections adding that female candidacy is an issue nowadays.
She claimed there must also be a change in society’s attitude towards women, claiming that the current proportional representation system is not favourable to women.
The Committee also discussed the issue of women not being given high positions in political parties.
Leader of the House, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said there was more room for women representation in the local authority electoral system as well as in the previously proposed Provincial Council Election system.
