Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the exclusion of women from decision-making is structurally maintained through gendered power hierarchies, stressing that meaningful change requires transforming institutions and power structures to create environments where women can lead with confidence.
She made these remarks while addressing the World Woman Davos Agenda 2026 on January 21 at the World Woman House, held on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
Speaking at a high-level forum themed “Women Leading the Changing Global Order,” the Prime Minister noted that although women worldwide are increasingly asserting themselves in political, economic and social spheres, their contributions remain systematically undervalued, particularly in unpaid care work, informal labour and agriculture.
Dr. Amarasuriya said women in leadership, especially in politics, often face harassment, character assassination and systemic marginalisation, which discourages participation and reinforces entrenched patriarchal structures. She emphasised that addressing these challenges is not about protection, but about enabling women to exercise leadership with autonomy, authority and confidence.
Highlighting progress in Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister said the country has made historic strides in political representation under the current inclusive government, with 20 women elected to Parliament for the first time. She said this reflects a clear shift towards more inclusive governance.
Concluding her address, Dr. Amarasuriya said leadership should go beyond occupying seats within existing systems and instead focus on restructuring those systems themselves. She reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to feminist and intersectional leadership and called on global actors to ensure women and marginalised communities are central to shaping the future global order.
