Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya delivered a powerful address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlighting the persistent structural barriers that maintain women's exclusion from economic and social participation. Speaking to global leaders and business executives, PM Harini emphasized how women's contributions continue to be systematically undervalued, particularly in unpaid care work that forms the backbone of societies worldwide.
Structural Barriers to Women's Participation
During her presentation at the prestigious Davos forum, Prime Minister Amarasuriya outlined how exclusion of women is not merely a byproduct of traditional practices but is actively maintained through structural mechanisms. These systems perpetuate gender inequality across multiple sectors, from corporate boardrooms to political institutions, creating invisible barriers that prevent women from achieving their full potential.
The Prime Minister's remarks come at a critical time when global discussions about gender equality have intensified, yet progress remains frustratingly slow. Her analysis focused on how institutional frameworks, policy decisions, and cultural norms work together to maintain the status quo, making it difficult for women to break through established hierarchies.
The Undervalued Care Economy
A central theme of PM Harini's address was the systematic undervaluation of unpaid care work, which predominantly falls on women's shoulders. This invisible labor includes childcare, eldercare, household management, and community support activities that are essential for societal functioning but receive no economic recognition or compensation.
According to international estimates, unpaid care work represents a significant portion of global economic activity, yet it remains absent from traditional GDP calculations and economic planning. This exclusion perpetuates a cycle where women's economic contributions are rendered invisible, limiting their access to resources, decision-making positions, and financial independence.
The Sri Lankan leader emphasized that recognizing and valuing care work is not just a matter of fairness but an economic imperative. Countries that fail to account for and support this sector are missing crucial opportunities for sustainable development and economic growth.
Global Implications and Solutions
Prime Minister Amarasuriya's intervention at Davos represents a significant moment for developing nations' voices in global gender equality discussions. Her perspective brings attention to how structural exclusion affects women differently across various economic contexts, from developed economies to emerging markets.
The Prime Minister called for comprehensive policy reforms that address these structural issues at their root. This includes implementing gender-responsive budgeting, creating supportive infrastructure for care work, and establishing legal frameworks that protect women's economic rights. She emphasized that superficial changes or token representation are insufficient to address the deep-seated nature of these problems.
Her address also highlighted the need for international cooperation in addressing gender inequality, recognizing that structural barriers often transcend national boundaries and require coordinated global responses.
Economic Impact of Women's Exclusion
The economic consequences of maintaining women's exclusion were a key focus of the Prime Minister's presentation. Research consistently shows that countries with higher levels of gender equality experience stronger economic growth, increased innovation, and more resilient societies. Conversely, the systematic exclusion of women represents a massive waste of human capital and economic potential.
PM Harini pointed out that businesses and economies that fail to fully utilize women's talents and perspectives are operating at a significant disadvantage. This is particularly relevant in today's knowledge-based economy, where diversity of thought and experience drives innovation and competitive advantage.
Sri Lanka's Leadership on Gender Issues
The Prime Minister's address at Davos also showcased Sri Lanka's commitment to advancing gender equality on the global stage. As one of the few women leading a government, PM Harini brings unique credibility to these discussions, representing both the possibilities and challenges facing women in leadership positions.
Her presence at the forum demonstrates how smaller nations can play influential roles in shaping global conversations about critical social and economic issues. By articulating the structural nature of women's exclusion, she has contributed to a more nuanced understanding of gender inequality that goes beyond individual barriers to examine systemic problems.
Moving Forward
Prime Minister Amarasuriya's intervention at Davos serves as a call to action for global leaders, policymakers, and business executives. Her message is clear: addressing women's exclusion requires more than good intentions or incremental changes. It demands a fundamental restructuring of systems and institutions that have historically marginalized women's contributions.
The challenge now lies in translating these insights into concrete action plans that can dismantle structural barriers and create more inclusive societies. As the global community grapples with multiple crises, from economic uncertainty to climate change, the full participation of women is not just a moral imperative but a practical necessity for building sustainable solutions.