Socio-economic impacts of war widows in Northern Sri Lanka
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv11n12-058Keywords:
war widows, socio-economic impacts, Northern Sri Lanka, gender inequality, post-conflict developmentAbstract
Sri Lanka had faced war for three decades (1983–2009) profoundly disrupted social structures and livelihoods, leaving lasting impacts on women who lost their spouses to conflict. This study examines the socio-economic consequences faced by war widows in the Northern Province using a secondary-data approach. Approximately 89,000 war widows reside across the Northern and Eastern provinces, with 12,000 women under the age of forty and around 8,000 caring for three or more children (Subash, 2010). The study employs the Women in Development (WID) framework to analyze how these widows direct economic hardship, gendered discrimination, and post-conflict marginalization. Fifteen scholarly and institutional sources were thematically analyzed, supported by descriptive analysis. Findings indicate that poverty, lack of employment, social stigma, gender inequality, health issues, and limited access to land and financial resources perpetuate vulnerability. The study argues for integrative empowerment strategies, educational support for children, access to microcredit, and psychosocial programs to foster sustainable post-war rehabilitation.
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