Women on top

 “That was perhaps the most difficult task the women parliamentarians’ had ever accomplished-who constituted as less as five percent in the parliament then, yet they succeeded to achieve something that was unthought-of in Nepal- 33 per cent participation for women in the CA”, says Sharada Silwal, a central committee member of the Sancharika Samuha (Women Journalists’ Association).

“Ensuring 33 per cent participation for the women folks on the one hand have been signaling that the patriarchal setup is on the wane, setting a glaring example in the entire South Asian region more so India- Nepal’s southern neighbor with which it shares cultural similarities, where women legislatures are still baton charged whenever they demand equal treatment from the namesake largest democracy in the world”, she adds.

“The number of women members in the Constituent Assembly has reached 33. 22 per cent, there are 191 women out of 575 CA members…this has given the needed opportunity and courage for the Women to achieve something concrete”, Ms. Silwal says adding, “the women legislatures have now more difficult task in their hands…women population constitutes 51 per cent of the total population…the new constitution must guarantee proportional representation of women in all the State organs, not just in politics.”

“Women’s participation on the debates over the issues of national interest is equally important---this must be addressed by the Constituent Assembly, above all women’s inherent rights must also be well drafted in the new constitution”, Ms. Silwal who has the experience of working in media sector and is also a gender activist for more than a decade opines very clearly.

“The challenges both the male and female parliamentarians face are almost equal…however, the women legislatures must be careful to not let the patriarchic mindset prevail in the Nepali politics that may finally get reflected in the new constitution” she adds.

“The media continues to attack the women folks continue to question their ability…however, what they do not seem to understand is that unless provided with equal opportunity how can they perform”, she says when asked about the ability of the women CA members that is in question.

“Taking the CA as the much needed platform, the women parliamentarians with the help from women activists and other national and international organizations, working for the women empowerment in the country should act together in the days ahead to ensure their participation in all the state organs on equal basis”, she concludes.

(Based on a tête-à-tête with Ms. Silwal)

Posted on : 2008-05-30 19:17:43

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