Sri Lanka is currently in a phase of economic and social recovery following its severest crisis post-independence — a civil war followed by an economic crash. These crises are not gender-neutral: from spikes in domestic violence to increasing childcare duties to huge job losses in women-dominated sectors, gender will play a key factor in what happens post-crisis.

Sri Lanka has a proud history of championing women’s rights. It was one of the first countries in Asia to give women the vote and, in 1960, became the first nation to elect a woman prime minister. However, women’s socioeconomic contributions remain a critical untapped resource in the country’s recovery and growth. Understanding gender patterns is critical for investors seeking to understand short- and long-term risks, uncover hidden opportunities, and capitalize on both. It can also support the development of the country’s economic and social stability and growth.

The eight points of materiality below create a deeper understanding of how to invest with a gender lens and use finance as a tool for a more equitable recovery in Sri Lanka.

This paper was released as part of GRIT, a six-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada to address the economic gap for women’s empowerment particularly in Northern Sri Lanka. The initiative includes local partners who are the leading incubators, accelerators, and network builders on the ground – Hatch, Lanka Impact Investing Network and Yarl IT Hub – to shift power structures in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and build out gender lens investing practices in Sri Lanka.