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ISSN 3121-3049
People's Journal Sri Lanka Volume 01, Issue 01
affiliation rather than individual political consciousness or political ideology.
This dynamic was particularly pronounced among older women, while
younger women were more willing to question traditional expectations,
despite the social risks.
Conclusion
This study found that women‘s voting behavior in the Estate is shaped by
strong family influence, patriarchal norms, limited political knowledge, and
economic dependency. Political decisions are frequently made by husbands
and male family members, while cultural and religious norms forbid women
from participating in public political discourse or actions. Because of this,
women's involvement is mostly symbolic and has less actual impact on
decision-making.
Younger women are increasingly conscious of and eager to exert
autonomous political ideology, which suggests that generational shifts are
occurring. This suggests that if education, voter awareness campaigns, and
inclusive political practices are encouraged, there may be an opportunity for
progressive change.
The study advances knowledge of how gender, cultural, and socioeconomic
variables interact to shape political engagement by concentrating on a
vulnerable community. It also emphasizes the necessity of laws and
programs that support estate women in recognizing their position as engaged
members of Sri Lankan political democracy and moving beyond voting as a
family obligation
References
Central Bank of Sri Lanka. (2024). Quarterly Bulletin of Workers‘ Remittances and
Departures for Foreign Employment: Q1-2024.
https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/statistics/workers_remittance
s_and_labour_migration_bulletin_2024_q1_e.pdf
Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS). (2022). A Migration Profile for Sri Lanka.
https://www.ips.lk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/A-Migration-Profile-for-Sri-
Lanka_E_Book.pdf
Jegathesan, M. (2024). Feminist Pathways and Political Possibilities in Sri Lankan
Plantation Studies. In Routledge eBooks (pp. 372–382).
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003300991-37

