COLOMBO, Oct. 2 -- Sri Lanka has seen a sharp regression in gender equality, falling 15 places in a global index over the past two decades, according to a new study presented to the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus by the UN Women program.

The research revealed that Sri Lanka, which ranked 18th out of 115 countries in 2006, has now dropped to 130th among 148 countries in 2025. The study underscores how, despite the visibility of influential women in Sri Lanka and the region, entrenched gender disparities persist across multiple spheres.

The UN Women team said their assessment focused on four priority areas: women's economic empowerment, women's leadership in governance and decision-making, women, peace and security, and the prevention of ...