Feminism, nationalism, and labour

What is it about?

This Viewpoint highlights the paradox of low labour force participation and high unemployment among women amidst growing educational level of women in the former conflict affected Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Moreover, it highlights the rise of ethno-feminism and sub-nationalism that undermine whatever little opportunities open-up for women in terms of employment and livelihood opportunities thereby undermining the peace-building efforts by various stakeholders.

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Why is it important?

Some of the barriers to women in terms of labour market or livelihood opportunities are caused by external actors (such as the state and private corporate sector) and some are caused by internal actors (such as the family/household and community). In conflict-ridden settings such as in Sri Lanka, there is a tendency to blame ONLY the ‘other’ (external actors) for one’s predicament. In this case, the externally imposed barriers to women’s economic empowerment by the government, private businesses, lack of skills, inter alia, are often highlighted. However, equal (if not more) importance should be given to identify and highlight the self-imposed, family-imposed, or community-imposed barriers as well and encourage/empower women themselves to break-out of the self-imposed, family/household imposed, or community-imposed barriers. The change/s that is expected from the exterior world should begin within the interior world of women themselves.

Perspectives