Special Advisory Committees on Women’s Affairs to be appointed to every PS in Central Province

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by PRIYAN DE SILVA

The Central Province is the first province in the country to order that a special advisory committee should be appointed to every pradeshiya sabha coming under it to contribute effectively to the decision making process, promote the wellbeing and welfare of women living within their jurisdiction and to advise them on the tasks to be performed and strategies.

The order was made by Governor of the Central Province Lalith U. Gamage through an extraordinary gazette notification No 2325/42 of 30th March 2023.

The formation of advisory councils in Pradeshiya Sabhas was mooted to address the grievances aired by female councillors who attended the Canadian government sponsored PMI – WILL (Partnership for Municipal Innovation- Women In Local Leadership) programme which was facilitated in Sri Lanka by the Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities (FSLGA).

The main grievance of female members of local authorities was that they were not given the opportunity to participate in the decision making processes in the male dominated authorities.

Chief Executive Officer of FSLGA Hemanthie Goonasekera said that the idea of establishing a special advisory council exclusively on Women’s affairs was discussed in length before the proposal to set up the special advisory committees in respect of women’s affairs was drafted and shared with the

caucuses of female members of local government authorities in each province.

Goonasekera said that credit should be given to the Central Province caucus for taking the initiative to present it to the Provincial Commissioner of

Local Government and the Governor of the Central Province. She said that the support extended by the Provincial Commissioner of Local Government of

the Central Province H.M.M.U.B. Herath for the initiative taken was appreciated and hoped that the other Provinces would follow suit as well.

Being a member of the Advisory Committees will give women irrespective of whether they are elected members of the PS or not the opportunity to give instructions (through the committee) to the PS on the following.

1. Development of women labour in the area of authority and implementation of programmes for the betterment of women that can be utilized in social welfare.

2. Implementation of programmes to improve knowledge, attitudes and skills for women

3. Programmes and strategies to be implemented at the Pradeshiya Sabha level in order to protect women in the area of authority of the Pradeshiya Sabha and prevent abuses.

4. Introducing programmes to be implemented to uplift the economy and introducing loan schemes.

5. Giving necessary instructions and support to promote home gardening programmes including green agriculture in the area of authority.

6. Measures to be taken to create a panel of discussion for the purpose of exchanging ideas of women living in the area of authority.

7. Providing necessary assistance to improve inherent abilities and skills and to develop traditional industries and introducing the market relevant to them.