All ethnic groups in Sri Lanka have clear distinctions regarding the roles of the sexes.[2]Sri Lanka was the first nation in the world to elect a female head of government, Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Bandaranaike won the election in 1960 after S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, the preceding leader who was also her husband, was murdered by a spy.
Generally speaking, women in Sri Lanka are responsible for cooking, raising children, and taking care of housework.[2] In families relying on agriculture, women are in charge of weeding and help with the harvest.[2] Among poor families, women also perform full-time work for upper class individuals.[2] Moreover, the man's role used to be seen as providing his family with material support by looking after his business.[2]
At the center of the hierarchy are children, who mix freely and receive a great deal of affection from both sexes.[2] Among the middle- and upper-income classes, education of children may last into their early twenties, and women may mix with males or even take on jobs that were in the past reserved for men.[2]
In comparison to other countries in the region, Sri Lanka is ranked well on several gender equality indices. However, there are also some sources that question the validity of these indices.[4] Furthermore, globally, Sri Lanka ranks relatively low on gender equality indices.[5] Overall, this pattern of social history that disempowers females produces a cycle of undervaluing females, providing only secondary access to health care and schooling and thus less opportunities to take on high-level jobs or training. In a study by Dr. Elaine Enarson, this cycle in turn worsens the issue of low political participation and social rights.[6]
^Dijkstra, A. Geske (1 July 2006). "Towards a Fresh Start in Measuring Gender Equality: A Contribution to the Debate". Journal of Human Development. 7 (2): 275–283. doi:10.1080/14649880600768660. ISSN1464-9888.
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