The Gendered Face of Economic Hardship: A Study of Sri Lankan Women and the Current Crisis

The economic crisis that unfolded in Sri Lanka in recent years is not merely a collection of statistics regarding debt-to-GDP ratios or inflation indices; it is a lived reality with a deeply human and specifically female face. While every citizen has felt the tremors of the collapsing economy, the impact has not been gender-neutral. In the socio-economic fabric of Sri Lanka, women often act as the “shock absorbers” of the household. As the nation grapples with soaring costs of living and a fragile recovery, the burden of managing survival has fallen disproportionately on the shoulders of women. This article explores how the crisis has reshaped the lives of Sri Lankan women, examining the intersections of domestic labour, employment, and psychological well-being.
In the traditional Sri Lankan household, the woman is typically responsible for food preparation and the management of domestic resources. When food inflation reached record highs, this role transformed from a routine task into a daily battle for survival. One of the most concerning trends observed during the peak of the crisis was the “nutritional sacrifice.” Studies in development economics often show that in times of scarcity, women are the first to reduce their own food intake to ensure that children and male breadwinners are fed. This has long-term implications for female health, particularly for pregnant and lactating mothers. Furthermore, the energy through shortages of LP gas—forced many women to revert to traditional firewood cooking. This shift did not just mean a return to older methods; it meant a significant increase in time poverty. The hours spent sourcing fuel and the physical toll of traditional cooking added another layer to the “unpaid care work” that women perform, largely unrecognized by national accounts.
Sri Lanka’s economy relies heavily on three sectors that are predominantly female-driven: the garment industry, tea plantations, and migrant domestic work. These sectors are the backbone of the country’s foreign exchange earnings, yet the women within them faced immense insecurity.
In the apparel sector, SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) faced closures due to power outages and the inability to afford raw materials. This led to job losses for thousands of women who are often the sole providers for their rural families. In the plantation sector, the rising cost of basic commodities meant that the daily wage long a point of contention could no longer cover even a fraction of a family’s nutritional needs.
Furthermore, the crisis spurred a desperate surge in female migration for domestic work abroad. While this brings in remittances, it often comes at a high social cost, including the fragmentation of families and the potential for exploitation in foreign lands. For those who stayed, the “double burden” the necessity to work longer hours for less real value while simultaneously managing a chaotic household environment has led to unprecedented levels of burnout.
Beyond the material deprivation, the psychological impact of the crisis on women is profound. Managing a household where there is no gas to cook, no electricity to study, and no money for medicine creates a state of chronic stress. Women, as the primary caregivers, often absorb the frustrations of all family members, leading to a decline in their own mental health.
There is also a darker side to economic stress, the rise in gender-based violence (GBV). Historical data suggests that during periods of extreme financial instability, domestic tension often escalates into physical or emotional abuse. With social safety nets stretched thin, many women found themselves trapped in vulnerable positions with fewer avenues for recourse. Additionally, the “period poverty” resulting from the high cost of sanitary products became a significant hurdle, affecting the dignity and mobility of young girls and women in low-income brackets.
Despite these harrowing challenges, the crisis also highlighted the incredible resilience and agency of women. Across the island, women-led community kitchens, home gardening initiatives, and local barter systems emerged as grassroots survival strategies. Female entrepreneurs have begun exploring digital marketplaces to bypass traditional supply chain hurdles. This resilience, however, should not be an excuse for state inaction. The fact that women can survive under pressure does not mean they should be forced to bear the brunt of economic mismanagement.
The Sri Lankan economic crisis is a clear reminder that macro-level policy decisions have micro-level gendered consequences. For a sustainable recovery, the government and policymakers must move beyond “gender-blind” economics. Social safety nets, such as the “Aswesuma” program, must be specifically tailored to reach female-headed households and provide nutritional support for mothers.
References
Amnesty International. (2023). Foregoing Meals to Make-do: The Impact of Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis on Maternal Nutrition. London: Amnesty International Secretariat.
Department of Census and Statistics (DCS). (2023). Household Survey on Impact of Economic Crisis – 2023. Colombo: Ministry of Economic Stabilization and National Policies.
Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS). (2022). Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis: An Opportunity to Advance Gender Parity. Policy Insights.
UN Women. (2022). Gender Alert: Sri Lanka Crisis (August 2022). Colombo: UN Women Sri Lanka.
Women & Media Collective. (2023). Policy Brief on Unpaid Care Work in the Context of Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis. Colombo.
World Bank. (2023). Sri Lanka Development Update: Time to Reset. Washington, DC: World Bank.

Name- Miss. R.M.K.G.P. Savindi Bandara Kumbukgahadeniya.
E-mail address – Pramudikasavindi123@gmail.com
Telephone number – 074-3662929
Home address – 22/2/B, Dodamgolla, Menikhinna.