by Viyanga Gunasekera

This is a preliminary scoping study that was designed to explore the
nature and scope of different types of networks aspiring women and
incumbent women politicians draw from and what perceptions they hold
with regards to the role networks and solidarity play in their pathways
to politics. The study was conducted from December 2022 – April 2023
in Sri Lanka. Networks and solidarity come across as a notable and
practical infrastructure that women can develop in their pathways to
effective political representation. While there are limitations and barriers
to developing networks of solidarity, the present study highlights the
significance of this untapped resource, and calls for further understanding
of its nature and nuances for practical adaptation.