Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya took part in the International Women’s Day Flagship Event organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today at its headquarters in Manila, Philippines. This event gathered senior ADB officials, members of the diplomatic community, and development partners to celebrate International Women’s Day and reaffirm global pledges towards gender equality, according to the Prime Minister’s Media Division. In her keynote speech, the Prime Minister emphasized how important education is for empowering women and girls. She pointed out that having equal access to good education is one of the most effective ways to bring about social and economic change. The Prime Minister highlighted Sri Lanka’s long-standing dedication to education and stressed the need to improve inclusive learning systems that allow women to participate fully in national development. She also noted the significant role of women’s unpaid care work, which often goes unrecognized, despite being crucial for supporting families, communities, and the economy. The Prime Minister called for policies and social protection that acknowledge and support this care work, enabling women to engage more fully in economic activities. Furthermore, she addressed the need to tackle broader structural issues by increasing women’s involvement in political decisions and the workforce. She stated that inclusive governance and economic participation are key for sustainable and fair development. The Prime Minister called for ongoing collaboration among governments, international organizations, and development partners to eliminate barriers that restrict women’s opportunities. At the event, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya received the Shireen Lateef Women’s Leadership Award, recognizing her dedication to promoting women’s leadership and empowerment, as stated in the announcement.