Door Opens for Women to Run for Office. But Will They Be Allowed In?
Kodikara said that I think the backlash is manifesting in many different ways — from parties not taking the quota too seriously,
and therefore not giving sufficient nominations to women at the ward level, to some political leaders telling voters not to vote for women and some Muslim religious leaders trying to make a theological argument against women coming into politics,
Because the structures will remain, the culture will remain within the local council,
within local municipalities and political parties," Ms. Satkunanathan said.
But if they toe the party line, if they are controlled, what is the point?" The local elections are also turning into a referendum of sorts on the performance of President
Maithripala Sirisena, who took office in 2015 during the first transition of power since Sri Lanka’s civil war ended in 2009, after the deaths of about 100,000 people.
When she wanted to seek a seat again this year, with Ms. Hettiarachchi’s help, the local party organizer — an influential post
that decides who will represent the party, and is almost always filled by men — would not allow her.
Sandaruwani said that It doesn’t matter what the parties think, what the parties feel about
women contesting, the people have come to believe that more women must take to politics,
