Asoka Ajantha

Content Introduction Context of the Eastern Province Focus of the study Women roles Discussion Conclusion

Introduction Three decades civil war Civil administration system recently established( many governance issues ) Huge investments for larger infrastructures by government( transport, water, energy etc ) I/NGOs invest in community infrastructures Muslim, Tamil and Sinhalese

Context Male dominant society with direct influences from armed groups Less than 5% women representation in local politics (45 PSs – more than 450 elected members) Women as labor(daily wage) in development Many informal power groups Higher women headed families in SL

Focus of the study The study focuses on the problem that why women in conflict-affected communities have little or no opportunity to share in decision making in redevelopment process – Time budgeting of women – Assess women’s interest in development – Social/family factors.

Women roles Conceptual Framework - Adaptive Livelihood Framework Reproductive – household activities such as caring of children, elderly family members, disabled members etc Productive – income related activities Social – attending common forums, discussions etc

Time budgeting Reproductive – 75% Productive – 15% Social – 10%

Impact of infrastructure development Save time from day to day activities due to improved accessibility for basic needs – Spend less time to collect water, going to market for day to day requirements etc

Discussion Scenario 01 – low interest among women in local development.

Discussion Scenario 2 - Women’s voice neglected Women do not get due recognition in local level decision-making and governance issues.

Discussion Scenario 03 – Women have no time to share in governance in post conflict context Women are busy with reproductive activities. They use balance time to engage in productive activities. They do not have time to participate in local development and governance issues.

Discussion In the post conflict context, women are compelled to spend more time for reproductive activities Estimated time for reproductive activities is 75% of available time. Therefore, women do not have sufficient time for social activities. Hence, women’s participation in governance is minimal

Discussion Due to improved infrastructures, women save time from their day-to-day activities ( such as accompanying their children to school, and going to market to purchase household needs). It is revealed that women spend this saved time for productive activities ( such as home gardening, help husbands for agricultural activities etc).

Discussion Scenario 04 - Non- conducive social environment The social environment is not conducive to women to engage in social activities. Society and family force women to desist from participating in decision-making forums and discussions. Women do not participate in decision-making and governance issues.

Discussion Women’s interest in social activities is very low due to social and family pressure. Many husbands do not like their wives to participate in social activities, and therefore women are compelled to be engaged in reproductive activities whether they (wives) like it or not

Discussion If a woman participates in social activities, society puts pressure on her by creating many unfounded stories against her (such as claims that she is a prostitute) and she is compelled to abandon social activities

Conclusion For women to participate in decision making processes and governance, women should engage in social activities. Women should have interest in these as well including participation in local governance in their life’s priorities

Conclusion There should be an enabling environment which will support women to participate in governance aspects of development. An enabling environment can be achieved only by changing the existing mindset that prevails in among ALL LEVELS of society which is possible