Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that establishing a National Care Policy is essential to building a fair society that properly values women’s labour and recognizes the importance of the care economy.
The Prime Minister made these remarks in Parliament on March 5 while expressing her views on a proposal submitted by the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus advocating for the development of a National Care Policy, according to the Prime Minister’s Media Division.
Speaking during the debate, the Prime Minister said it was particularly meaningful for her to address the issue on International Women’s Day, recalling that when she first spoke about the care economy in Parliament six years ago, the topic received little attention due to the limited representation of women in the House.
She noted that discussions on the subject have since grown significantly, both within Parliament and in the broader public sphere, enabling concrete proposals to be presented for the development of a national policy.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the increasing representation of women across multiple sectors, including local government institutions, community organisations, the public service and the education sector.
She emphasized that recognising women as equal citizens and addressing the barriers that prevent them from participating freely and respectfully in public life is essential to strengthening their role in society.
Amarasuriya further noted that while more attention is now being given to women in politics, it is equally important to ensure that media and social media spaces are organised in a way that protects women’s dignity and security.
She stressed that such protections should not rely solely on legal measures but must be supported by broader social transformation that promotes fairness and justice.
The Prime Minister added that the goal is to build a society where all citizens can participate equally, with dignity, security and equal opportunity.