Gender income gap widens in SL

04 Nov 2011 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka's gender gap has increased over the last year and gender equality ranking declined from 16th in 2010 to 31st this year, according to a report released by the World Economic Forum.

The World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2011 showed that Sri Lanka has slipped several places from its privileged position in the top 20 over the last five years.

The report noted that while Sri Lanka shows a higher-than-average performance in health and political empowerment, the gap between women's and men's estimated earned income widened.

"Most women are employed in the informal sector, which pays lesser salaries. In addition there are no policies by the government directed at ensuring equal pay for women," said Women and Media Collective Director Kumi Samuels.

"Three decades of war has also resulted in many women heading households and earnings lesser in the low income bracket," Samuels told Xinhua in a telephone interview.
The conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ended in May 2009, leaving thousands dead. (Source: IANS)

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Gender income gap widens in SL

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