Having recently perused ‘Necessary Yet Insufficient: Women’s Quota for Wider Political Representation in Sri Lanka’ and ‘Women, Quota and the Press: Media Coverage of the 2018 Local Government Elections’ released jointly by Women and Media Collective (WMC) and the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo, The Island felt the need to seek clarification as regards the Norwegian involvement in the ongoing project to enhance women’s representation not only at LG level but Provincial Council and Parliamentary levels as well. Booklets have been published in Sinhala and Tamil as mentioned in the foreword by Sanchia Brown, Programme Officer, WMC, who acknowledged that as a result of the new hybrid electoral system the total number of LG representatives increased from 4,486 to 8,356.

by Shamindra Ferdinando

The Norwegian Embassy says it is not fair to pass judgment on the Local Government system just four years after the first LG polls held under the new hybrid electoral system. It also insists that encouraging more women in politics remains a major priority for Norway and their efforts here are in line with the overall strategy.

The Island raised the issue with the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo as Norway was among those foreign sponsors of the high profile project here to enhance women’s participation at various levels of governance and challenge the postponement of scheduled Local Government polls by the current dispensation.

The Embassy spokesperson responded to the following questions that were submitted:

The Island: In addition to WMC, how many other civil society groups received Norwegian funding to promote enhanced women’s representation? Can you name them?

Norwegian Embassy: The Norwegian support to Women and Media Collective is the only project that directly targets increasing women’s representation in politics. However, the Norwegian Embassy also works with Sarvodaya, who runs a political leadership programme, aiming to encourage young people, both men and women, to get involved in political life.

The Island: Can you disclose the total amount of money granted to WMC and other organizations.

Norwegian Embassy: All information about Norwegian aid to Sri Lanka is publicly available through: Norwegian Development Aid (norad.no)

The Island:

Some newspaper groups including the Upali Newspapers, were left out of research on newspapers reporting on what the report called ‘historic 25% quota for women in LG from Sept 2017 to Dec 2018.’ As it was jointly issued by the WMC and the Norwegian embassy in Colombo, would you explain why some publishing houses were left out?

Norwegian Embassy: While Norway provides financial support to Women and Media Collective, we have no influence over the content of the research produced or the decisions made by individual researchers. Therefore, this question would be best addressed to the authors of the paper. Norway respects academic freedom and freedom of expression.

The Island:

Would it be possible for you to disclose the approximate amount of funding annually made available to civil society groups since 2015? And who were the recipients?

Norwegian embassy: Norwegian bilateral aid to Sri Lanka comes through at least 3 different channels: Directly from the Embassy through Norway’s development agency NORAD and directly from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry.

From 2015-2020, a total of 386.3 million NOK was earmarked to Sri Lanka, of which about 213.3 million NOK was channeled through either Norwegian or non-Norwegian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). A full overview can again be found here: Norwegian development aid (norad.no)

The Island: Four years after the first LG polls held under the new hybrid electoral system, have you observed any improvement in the set-up or are your disappointed with the status of the LG administration?

Norwegian embassy: Norway is a decentralised country, and we believe strongly in local governance. Such structures need time to develop and mature, and require sufficient financing to function well. We therefore think it is too early to cast any judgment on the system only four years in.

The Island: Have you (the Government of Norway) discussed the need for enhanced women political representation at all levels with the government over the past several years?

Norwegian Embassy: Women’s equitable representation in elected political bodies is important for several reasons. Given that women constitute half the population in most countries, but have been historically marginalised from such bodies, ensuring equitable representations is important to deepen democratic governance and ensure more equitable development outcomes. Equitable representation is also important given that women may have different views, experiences and interests from men. The need for enhanced female political representation at all levels is a question the Embassy raises in most of our meetings with parliamentarians, party leaders, local officials and government representatives.