The Minister of Women and Child Affairs and Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka, Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj, participated as a panelist in the CWP Workshop on Debate Not Hate: Not Accepting Abuse as an Outcome of Free Speech, alongside Ms. Sasha Kazantseva-Miller (MP) from Guernsey and the Speaker of the Legislative Council of the British Virgin Islands, Corine N. George-Massicote.

In democratic societies, freedom of speech is a fundamental pillar. However, it is sometimes misused as a tool for violence, humiliation, threats, or intimidation.

Across Commonwealth countries, women Parliamentarians and representatives are frequently targeted through misogynistic behavior. Such actions undermine productive political discourse, discourage women’s political participation, and pose a challenge to democracy.

These harmful effects directly impact citizens’ rights. The underrepresentation—or absence—of women in decision-making spaces, where policies are formulated on behalf of citizens, can lead to decisions that fail to reflect inclusive perspectives.

Today, digital technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, and this digital space must be safe for everyone. Accordingly, the 2024 United Nations Secretary-General’s report defines technology-facilitated violence against women and girls as:

 “Any act that is committed, assisted, aggravated, or amplified by the use of information communication technologies or other digital tools that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological, social, political, or economic harm, or other infringement of rights and freedoms.”

Additionally, a study conducted by CPA/IPU/AIPA (link) reports that nearly 60% of women MPs from the Asia-Pacific region have been subjected to online harassment rooted in gender inequality.

Recognizing the urgent need for effective discussions and mechanisms to address hostility and harassment targeting women in political and parliamentary spaces, this workshop was organized within the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ network to provide such a platform.

Representing Sri Lanka, the Hon. Minister proposed the following measures to ensure a respectful and safe political platform for women:

1. Develop a Model Code of Conduct: Establish a common, internationally accepted Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians and staff that explicitly addresses gender-based violence, sexism, and online abuse.

2. Share Best Practices for Institutional Safeguards: Create a repository of best practices for Parliaments in implementing gender-sensitive security protocols and confidential, independent complaint and investigation mechanisms.

3. Mandatory Training: Introduce mandatory gender-sensitization and anti-harassment training for all Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff.

She emphasized that urgent action must be taken to implement these measures.

These proposals were well received by the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians and representatives. On behalf of Sri Lanka, she also expressed Sri Lanka’s commitment to working together with the CWP to ensure that women can participate in political life free from harassment or violence.

Minister Paulraj also stated that Sri Lanka, as Commonwealth Parliamentarians, must commit to creating political spaces where every woman—whether a Minister, a Parliamentarian, or a constituent—can participate without fear or harassment. True freedom of speech is about debating with dignity, not inflicting harm. Sri Lanka stands ready to share its experiences and work with all member nations to build a Commonwealth where debate is constructive, dissent is respected, and abuse is never accepted.