Empowering Women in Politics: A Catalyst for Change | Nalini Rathnarajah 

Nalini Rathnarajah, a Women’s Human Rights Defender from Batticaloa, emphasized the importance of women in politics in Sri Lanka. Despite nearly 100 years since gaining the right to vote, women's participation in decision-making remains low. She highlighted that women constitute 52% of the population, making their voices crucial for democracy and progressive policy development. Nalini stressed the need for capacity-building training for women in politics, including knowledge of Sri Lanka's political history, democratic values, the rule of law, and climate change. She underscored that women are most affected by climate change and must raise their voices in decision-making forums. Such training, conducted at grassroots levels, would empower more women entering politics and human rights activism, enabling them to initiate dialogue and advocacy on these critical issues.