Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the Commonwealth Women’s Forum (CWF) on 2 November 2026, addressing the Plenary 01 Opening Session under the theme “Advancing Gender Equality: Investment in a Prosperous and Resilient Commonwealth.”
Addressing the forum, the Prime Minister stressed that women’s leadership is fundamental to global resilience, stating that “Women’s leadership is no longer merely an equality target; it is a condition for global survival.”
Highlighting the growing challenges posed by geopolitical instability, gender-based violence, technology-facilitated abuse and climate change, she emphasised the need for intersectional responses grounded in the realities of the Global South. She called for dismantling structural barriers that prevent women from accessing power, capital and security.
Referring to the impact of climate change on women, particularly in vulnerable island nations, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of climate justice and called for direct, non-debt climate investments in community-led initiatives.
She further emphasised that “Substantive equality cannot be achieved through piecemeal policy updates. It demands an unyielding, whole-of-society coalition”, involving governments, civil society, the private sector, and men and boys as active allies.
The Prime Minister also announced that Sri Lanka will host the 14th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (WAMM), reaffirming the country’s commitment to advancing gender equality and strengthening collective action across the Commonwealth.
Concluding her address, the Prime Minister called on Commonwealth members to transform commitments into meaningful action, ensuring prosperity, autonomy and resilience for every woman and girl.
The session was attended by Her Majesty Camila Parker the Queen Consort of Great Britain and the Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General, alongside Commonwealth leaders, dignitaries and delegates.
Prime Minister’s Media Division