Economic Role of Women in Sri Lanka: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

The economy is a social science and, as such, should take into account the practices of all components of the society, of men as well as women. Therefore, it can be identified that a significant relationship between women and the economy in history should be investigated broadly. Considering the economic history of ancient Sri Lanka, women’s labour commitment depended on both the social necessities and the nature of the agro-economic system. It can be argued that women in ancient times have made a considerable contribution not only to household needs but also to agricultural activities. However, their economic role has not been taken into account in relation to the country’s economy due to patriarchal ideology and the history of the country which was built under the dominance of males in South Asian societies. The major objective of this study is to examine how women contribute to the country’s economy and investigate how women’s labour role can be recognized in the society in Sri Lanka. According to the periodization of Sri Lankan history, the ancient and medieval periods are covered through the study due to time limitation. The study was based on primary and secondary data gathered from literature surveys directly related to the issues addressed in this study. The issues of women’s economic situation have been discussed by feminist historians within the feminist theoretical approach, and they have developed a broader discussion regarding the economic involvement of women in the context of patriarchal society in South Asian countries. Accordingly, as a theoretical perspective in this paper feminist theoretical approach is used within the context of feminist historiography. The study revealed the factors regarding women’s economic role with special attention to the various fields that women’s involvement as workers in the selected period. According to the literary and archaeological sources, it can be emphasized that women have functioned in various fields, including activities related to the agricultural economy, internal trade affairs, animal husbandry, various other industries, and teaching. Women’s labour role and direct involvement in the economic sector increased with socio-economic changes that took place in the country from time to time. Furthermore, it can be recognized that women’s role in economic standing directly affected women to increase their social development.