Sri Lanka, Nov. 3 -- Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has said women's leadership is no longer merely an equality target but a condition for global survival.

She made these remarks while addressing the opening plenary session of the Commonwealth Women's Forum (CWF) on November 2, 2026, under the theme "Advancing Gender Equality: Investment in a Prosperous and Resilient Commonwealth".

Highlighting growing challenges such as geopolitical instability, gender-based violence, technology-facilitated abuse and climate change, the Prime Minister stressed the need for responses that consider the different experiences of women, particularly in the Global South.

She called for the removal of structural barriers that prevent women from acces...