nabling women to balance work and caregiving is not only the right thing to do as it is essential for economic progress.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Childcare is not solely a women’s issue, it is an economic and policy issue and by enabling women to balance work and caregiving is not only the right thing to do but also it is essential for economic progress.
The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks while participating in a World Bank Group event for Childcare as an Enabler of Women’s Increased Economic Participation in Sri Lanka held today (17) at Cinnamon Life Hotel, Colombo.
The roundtable was mainly focused on how opportunities can be granted for women in order to thrive in the workforce while contributing to the nation’s economy with the childcare services.
Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya highlighted that Women are central to the economy in both paid or unpaid contributions. However, barriers continue to restrict their workforce participation. It is true that women’s labour force participation in Sri Lanka stands at only 32%, significantly lower than men’s participation at 74%, however, this statistic fails to capture the full scope of women’s economic contributions as women’s unpaid contributions are not statistically included.
Closing the gender gap could increase Sri Lanka’s GDP by up to 20% as this is not just a social goal, it is an economic strategy that strengthens family wellbeing and national development.
The Sri Lankan government has taken steps such as Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs through the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to expand childcare services in order to support the women in workforce.
The Prime Minister further stated that tax incentives are being provided for businesses offering child protection services, economic assistance is being granted to working families, and a National Child Protection Framework is already in operation to ensure the quality of such services. Further, she emphasized that public-private partnerships are crucial in expanding the provision of these services.
The Prime Minister appreciated the World Bank’s support in this regard.
The event was attended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Ms . K.D.R. Olga, Gevorg Sargsyan, World Bank Group Country Manger for Sri Lanka and representatives from the government, private sector, civil society and officials from the World Bank Group.
Prime Minister’s Media Division