Gender Roles in Post Colonia Sri Lanks Essay Example

of pride. Without their dedication, the factories would not have thrived (35). Gender roles play a major role in defining what it means to be "authentically Sri Lankan". In the late 1980s, Sri Lanka's young generation initiated a rebellion due to the limited job opportunities available for educated young individuals in the country (Lynch 5).

In order to address the uprising, the Sri Lankan government introduced the 200 Garment Factory Program (200 GFP). This initiative aimed to construct garment factories across Sri Lanka's districts, with the objective of alleviating the discontent among young people. The primary goal of the 200 GFP was to generate employment opportunities for these youths and enhance Sri Lanka's participation in global trade. However, despite the creation of these jobs, societal concerns arose as the factories predominantly employed women, contradicting traditional gender roles.

In the past, men were traditionally responsible for providing for their families while women assumed the role of managing household duties and caring for children. The emergence of factory jobs presented women with a chance to socialize, acquire knowledge, and generate income. These newfound opportunities revealed the interconnection between individual culture and globalization. Sri Lankan women possess a strong desire to be perceived as "virtuous". However, working in a garment factory is frequently associated with negative associations as certain individuals label these women as "Juki girls", insinuating sexual promiscuity and defiance of societal norms (10).

According to Lynch (44-45), the women in the Shirtex factory demonstrated their desire for cultural adherence and respect by organizing a trip to attend their boss's father's funeral, even though they had never met him. They understood that it was a social obligation for Sri Lankans.

Being good factory workers meant not only being productive but also having noble character. Despite excelling at their jobs, these women struggled to maintain this status in society. It was the first time they had the ability to make purchases and have some financial independence.

The women working in the garment factories had the opportunity to purchase items for themselves that their families did not anticipate, like clothing and jewelry. However, this interest in fashion and contemporary ideas meant that they were embracing global concepts, which was seen as eroding their cultural distinctiveness. This situation demonstrates the difficult task these women faced in reconciling their desire for personal fulfillment with the obligation to preserve their cultural heritage. All things considered, these women encountered a challenging battle within the garment factories. It appeared highly improbable, maybe even unattainable, for them to ever achieve a perfect equilibrium in their new lives.

These women had to make sacrifices in order to maintain their double lives. The crucial inquiry is whether they were willing to sacrifice one aspect of their lives for another, and if the satisfaction derived from having a job they were proud of was worth enduring the negative perception associated with being a Juki girl. Furthermore, considering the constant changes in society, could they realistically continue to be fully dedicated to their cultural traditions?