Gender Politics in Post-Conflict Sri Lanka: From Wartime Roles to Peacetime Representation

Abstract

This study examines the transformation of women’s roles in Sri Lanka from wartime participation to post-conflict political representation, with particular attention to the period following the end of the civil war in 2009. Drawing on feminist theory, post-conflict reconstruction frameworks, and intersectionality, the research explores how women’s experiences as combatants, caregivers, activists, and community leaders during the war have influenced their political engagement in the post-war context. Using a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods approach, the study integrates document analysis, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and electoral data to analyze both structural and normative barriers to women’s political inclusion. Findings reveal a significant disconnect between women’s expanded wartime roles and their limited post-conflict political representation. Despite increased visibility and leadership during the conflict, women—particularly former LTTE cadres and grassroots activists—continue to face entrenched patriarchal norms, militarization, economic marginalization, and exclusionary party politics. Although post-war initiatives and the introduction of local government quotas have created limited openings, these measures remain insufficient to ensure meaningful participation. The study further highlights how intersectional factors such as ethnicity, class, and regional marginalization intensify barriers for Tamil and Muslim women in conflict-affected areas. By tracing the continuum from wartime agency to peacetime exclusion, this research underscores the need for structural reforms, gender-responsive political institutions, and inclusive policy interventions. The findings contribute to broader debates on gender and post-conflict governance and offer policy-relevant insights for strengthening women’s political representation and sustainable peacebuilding in Sri Lanka.