The Women and Media Collective (WMC), in collaboration with 14 civil society organizations and independent researchers, proudly presents its Shadow Report for the 90th session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). This report shines a spotlight on the far-reaching impacts of Sri Lanka’s economic and debt crisis on women, offering a comprehensive analysis rooted in an intersectional framework.
Acknowledgments
WMC extends its heartfelt gratitude to IWRAW Asia Pacific for their invaluable support as funders and key advisors in the development of this report. We also recognize the critical contributions of our partner organizations: Affected Women’s Forum, Center for Poverty Analysis, Chrysalis, Community Trust Fund, Dabindu Collective, Family Planning Association, Human Development Organization, International Center for Ethnic Studies, Law and Society Trust, Suriya Women’s Development Center, Uva Wellassa Women Organization, Women’s Education and Research Center, Women’s Resource Center, and Youth Advocacy Network Sri Lanka. Their collective expertise and unwavering commitment were instrumental in shaping this comprehensive submission.
Highlights of the Report:
- Economic and Social Rights: Examines the cross-cutting impacts of unpaid care work, inadequate social protection measures, and gender gaps in the labor force.
- Rural Women’s Challenges: Discusses barriers in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), microfinance practices, and land ownership, emphasizing the need for policy reforms to support rural women.
- Labor Rights: Addresses gender pay gaps, parental leave policies, and the conditions of women workers in free trade zones.
- Health and Bodily Autonomy: Explores access to family planning, reproductive health services, and menstrual hygiene management, while advocating for decriminalizing abortion.
- Gender-Based Violence: Proposes reforms to strengthen legal frameworks, expedite justice for survivors, and ensure adequate resources for victim support.
Key Recommendations:
The report urges CEDAW to recommend gender-responsive budgeting, reforms in labor and social protection laws, and policies that prioritize women’s rights in economic recovery plans. It calls for sustainable solutions addressing rural women’s access to resources, protections for domestic workers, and stronger enforcement of laws against gender-based violence.
WMC’s submission is a testament to its commitment to advancing gender equality and amplifying the voices of marginalized women across Sri Lanka. With the support of IWRAW Asia Pacific and our partner organizations, this report aims to guide policymakers and international stakeholders toward creating a more equitable future.