Headline: Moving from Intent to Infrastructure: Unlocking Women’s Economic Potential 📈

A recent policy analysis emphasizes that increasing female labor force participation is an economic necessity for Sri Lanka’s productivity and long-term growth. While awareness has grown, structural reforms remain critical to move beyond symbolic gestures. • Core Economic Impact The transition of women into senior leadership is no longer a supply issue but a system design challenge. Successful national platforms have already proven that women can account for a majority of board representation when institutional action is taken. • Key Structural Barriers Care Infrastructure: The lack of affordable, high-quality childcare and elder care is a primary constraint. Care must be treated as "economic infrastructure" to ensure workforce continuity. Transition Points: Biases regarding compensation and "perceived availability" often surface as women reach marriageable age or take on caregiving roles. Policy Gap: While paternity leave policies exist, low uptake due to fear of career repercussions highlights a disconnect between policy availability and usability. • Strategic Recommendations Labor Law Reform: Regularizing part-time work and extending benefits like gratuity are essential for an inclusive workforce. Safe Employment: Prioritizing dignified local jobs for women is key to reducing unsafe migration and protecting livelihoods in the ICT/BPM and other high-growth sectors. Engagement: Comprehensive organizational training and engaging men as partners are vital to sustaining behavioral change. _Note: Analysis based on current policy perspectives and provisional labor market observations._ ---