This book, authored by Sepali Kottegoda and published by the Social Scientists’ Association, explores the intricate dynamics of gender, poverty, and survival strategies within urban low-income households in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Based on extensive field research conducted during the late 1980s, it provides a detailed examination of women’s roles in managing household resources and navigating socio-economic challenges during a period of significant national transformation.

In the late 1980s, Sri Lanka underwent profound changes with the adoption of a liberalized free-market economy, which expanded employment opportunities for women both domestically and abroad. Concurrently, the state shifted from universal food subsidies to targeted poverty-alleviation programmes, influenced by Structural Adjustment Policies from international financial institutions. These economic changes occurred against a backdrop of escalating ethnic tensions and political unrest.

The research zeroes in on Pulle Watte, a multiethnic low-income settlement in Colombo, and investigates how women contribute to household survival. It delves into their strategies for obtaining essential goods and services, managing intra-household relations, and engaging in the politics of distribution. The study emphasizes the critical, yet often underappreciated, roles that women play in both private and public spheres, highlighting their agency and resilience.

Key questions addressed include the nature of household survival strategies, gender disparities in resource access, women’s perceptions of their rights and obligations, and the impact of state policies on these dynamics. The research spans five years of fieldwork and employs an interdisciplinary approach, focusing on three main areas: kinship and neighborhood networks, participation in income-earning activities, and intra-household relations.

The findings reveal that women in Pulle Watte engage in reciprocal networks, participate actively in the labor force, and adeptly manage household conflicts and resources. These efforts challenge traditional gender roles and underscore the necessity of recognizing and supporting women’s contributions to household and community resilience.

This book is an invaluable resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in gender, poverty, and development in South Asia. It offers a comprehensive understanding of women’s strategies for survival in urban low-income settings and contributes to broader discussions on gender and socio-economic policies.

Download the PDF of the book [here]