Politics not for women

Why are women not getting into politics? This was a question posed at a Colombo forum on Wednesday to two eminent women entrepreneurs representing two different generations in business.

Their response was spontaneous. “In any other country but Sri Lanka I would recommend women getting into poli t i c s,” noted Ramya Weerakoon, Chairman of Ramya Holdings ( Pvt) Ltd. While endorsing the government’s recent decision to increase the allocation to female representation in elected bodies, she said in Sri Lanka, it is not condusive for women to get into politics.

The younger Yasisurie Kiribandara, Head Designer /Founder Yasisurie Pvt Ltd, a fashion designer by profession, agreed with this view saying they are doing a lot more to uplift women in rural communities without getting into politics.

“Our group does a lot to help village communities. I work with the people and once a local politician asked me why I am not getting into politics. I smiled and said we are doing a lot already,” agreed Ms. Weerakoon, a veteran women entrepreneur. The response from both reflected the dilemma of women entering an arena where money and power overrides the ability to serve the community which is what the people’s representatives are expected to do.

These points emerged at an interesting discussion at the monthly meeting of the Sunday Times Business Club held at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo on the topic “Women entrepreneurs: Uphill task or easy ride?”