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A coalition of Eelam Tamil women from Sri Lanka’s North-East held a media briefing in Jaffna recently, calling for greater representation and attention to their rights ahead of the parliamentary election scheduled for November 14. The women expressed their desire for a female leader to represent their community's aspirations and struggles, marking a significant step in their long-standing fight for equality and justice.
The coalition emphasized that for over three decades, Eelam Tamil women have lived in silence, deprived of basic rights and dignity. Despite facing immense hardships, including the loss of breadwinners in their families and enduring the brutal aftermath of the armed conflict, these women have continued to carry the burden of raising their families and sustaining their communities. However, they stated that their voices have remained unheard, and there has been little to no recognition of their contribution or rights from the state.
“We have suffered greatly and unjustly, yet we have gone about our daily lives. But there has been no effort from the state to offer us equal opportunities,” said Vimala, one of the coalition members. The women acknowledged that while Sri Lanka has made strides in advancing women in leadership roles—such as the recent appointment of a female prime minister—they urged the government to extend this recognition to the women of the North-East.
“We congratulate the president for appointing a woman as prime minister, but we ask that he also pays attention to us,” the women said. They expressed hope that the current government, which they feel shows respect for women's rights, would also consider their plight and offer them an opportunity to contribute to the nation’s development.
The coalition pointed out that women are key stakeholders in society and should not be sidelined. "It’s unfair to say that women only offer half of what men can. We are capable of contributing just as much to the growth of this nation," they declared. Despite decades of hardship, they believe it is their right to demand equality, protection, and a voice in the decision-making processes that shape their futures.
One of the pressing issues highlighted during the briefing was the impact of alcoholism on the North-East communities. The women explained how alcohol abuse has devastated families, particularly affecting young children. “This is not something we were used to in the North-East,” they said, calling for stricter regulation on liquor licenses to prevent further damage to their communities.
The coalition also criticized the lack of transparency in how their grievances have been presented on the global stage. They noted that when women from their community have traveled to international forums, such as Geneva, to raise awareness about their struggles, they have been told not to speak out. Meanwhile, others who represent them often conceal the truth. “The truth cannot be hidden forever. It will come out at some point,” they affirmed, vowing to continue their fight for justice.
The group underscored that women have consistently stood up for their communities since the end of the armed conflict in 2009, representing widowed women, women with disabilities, and those without livelihoods. However, they lamented that no one has yet stood up for them. With representation from every district in the North-East, this coalition is determined to form a united front and demand their rightful place. “We are here to ask for our right to speak up,” they concluded. “The people have been fooled, and women have been fooled—but not anymore.”
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