Page 70 - Peoples_Journal_Sri_Lanka

60
ISSN 3121-3049
People's Journal Sri Lanka Volume 01, Issue 01

The research found that ethnicity plays a significant role in shaping women‘s
voting behavior in estate communities, where the majority of the population
is of Indian Tamil origin. Many female respondents showed strong allegiance
to political parties historically associated with Indian Tamil identity, which
advocate for workers‘ rights and estate welfare. This ethnic solidarity appears
to be influenced by community leaders and trade unions that often emphasize
ethnic specific issues. However, younger women showed greater interest in
cross-ethnic issues such as education and healthcare, indicating a subtle shift
towards broader civic participation across ethnic lines.

Caste can be seen as a subtle but persistent factor influencing voting
decisions, particularly within inter-community dynamics. Although caste
hierarchies are not openly discussed in public forums, as many women
acknowledged in interviews, social status and caste-based networks often
influence those who respect their political views within households and
community groups. Women from lower castes are frequently reported to be
marginalized in political discussions, with limited access to political
platforms or representation. Despite the right to vote formally, this exclusion
contributes to reduced political agency, and caste discrimination appears to
alter the democratic experience at the grassroots level.

Religion, while less influential than ethnicity or caste, also intersects with
political behavior in meaningful ways. For example, research found that
Hindu religious leaders exert significant informal influence on estate
women‘s political choices. This is particularly acute during election periods.
Religious festivals and Kovil gatherings were often used as spaces for
political campaigning, and religious devotion was subtly aligned with
political allegiances. Similarly, Christian and Muslim women in mixed estate
communities were reported to experience religious and gender-based
marginalization, which affected their ability to engage in political discourse
or vote freely.

The intersection of these three identities, ethnicity, caste, and religion, often
created complex barriers for women in estate communities. Many women
faced pressure to conform to the political expectations of their families or
community leaders, which were rooted in these social structures. As a result,
their voting behavior was often shaped by collective identity and social