Where are the girls? The guys are too creepy so there is a cat hells chance of them being part of your team

When we refer to youth organizations, fronts, or even the Government’s Youth Services Corps, created by Ranil Wickremasinghe, when he was the Minister of Youth Affairs, the overwhelming bulk of participants, members and delegates are men. Actually for those age groups, as it is for all other age groups, there are more females than males. In that sense we must first look at why young women do not participate? Then look at ways we can increase their participation.

Firstly, our culture protects our young girls from being exposed too much to the outside world, and once they come home from school they are generally expected to help around the house and you do not see them on the roads playing cricket like the boys do. Of course with the tuition classes one sees a change in the traditional set up, and girls are sent on the bus on their own to the main towns especially at weekends to attend lectures for whatever exams they intend taking.

It goes without saying that they are more conscientious and accordingly have better grades at the exams. However the parents bemoan the fact that their girls get distracted by the boys in the classes and they have little ability to control who they meet and talk to. This change of practice is a huge fear that parents have as there are numerous stories of girls running away after making these tuition class liaisons.

In this climate, girls feel a little safe at tuition classes as the majority attending are girls. However in youth clubs, and youth gatherings and youth organizations the majority are boys, and the girls feel intimidated by them. There are the persistent guys who never stop when asked to desist by the girl! This is not only a fear, but with the increasing evidence of the incidence of rape, the girls are more concerned about their safety and are less likely to attend.

It is with this in mind, that the only solution is for them to gather in numbers for their own security and come to these events with friends so at least 3 or 4 come together and this gives them the strength to tackle any intimidating situation as they have the support of a few friends to tell anyone trying it on, to back off!!

It is important for women to participate in these organizations, especially political ones. In the latter, where women form the majority of voters, it is important that they also form a substantial, at least 25% representation in seeking political office. We must seriously devise a plan to obtain female participation in the political fabric of Sri Lanka, to improve commitment, governance and accountability.

We should even implement a training program for guys in how to treat women, something our men sorely lack. Similarly we should also have empowerment classes for women to be confident and not be intimidated by men. I cannot highlight the importance of women's participation in leadership development programs, as they have just as much right to participate in all areas of leadership in still a traditionally male dominated hierarchical society.