by Binju Sitaula
KATHMANDU, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Though the Federal
Democratic Republic of Nepal has once again observed "International Women's Day"
amidst various formal programs across the country on Sunday, women still are
living second gender life in Nepal.
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Nepali women in traditional dresses take
part in a celebration to mark the International Women's Day in Nepal's
capital Kathmandu on March 8, 2009. The main theme of the International
Women's Day for Nepal this year is "Voice of All Nepalis: Drafting
Women-friendly Constitution." (Xinhua Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
No matter they are high class or low, Nepali women
are socially, economically and politically discriminated. The deep rooted
patriarchy system of the society as well as the previous government has
marginalized them as second class gender, said women activists in Nepal on
Sunday.
"Nepal has written some of the laws in the favor of
women, these laws could be our achievement, but they are not implemented," said
Sapana Pradhan Malla, a lawmaker in the Constitutional Assembly (CA).
Malla, who is also an advocate and women rights
activists, said that 33 percent of women participation in the state's every
sector has not been achieved yet, despite the fact that 33 percent reservation
has already been mentioned in Nepal's Interim Constitution 2008.
Nepali women rights activists referred this fact as
dual mentality of patriarchal system governed by male drivers, who say something
and mean something else.
Nepali Prime Minister Prachanda assured that the new
republican government which has for the first time organized a formal program in
Nepal to mark "International Women's Day", is improving the status of women
gradually.
Prachanda on Sunday claimed that Nepali women who are
unaware of their rights and are being dominated by male are getting to know
their rights. According to him, all this is happening after the new republican
government came into power.
However, Nepali women activists gathered in Nepali
capital Kathmandu on Sunday and described Prachand's claim as an "irony".
According to them, Prachanda has not appointed minister for "Ministry of Women,
Children and Social Welfare (MoWCSW)" yet.
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A Nepali woman in traditional dress
takes part in a celebration to mark the International Women's Day in
Nepal's capital Kathmandu on March 8, 2009. The main theme of the
International Women's Day for Nepal this year is "Voice of All Nepalis:
Drafting Women-friendly Constitution." (Xinhua Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
Prachanda was elected Prime Minister of the republic
government on Aug. 15, 2008 and the cabinet got its final shape on Aug. 31,
2008. Prime Minister Prachanda himself is leading MoWCSW right now.
"The new constitution will emerge how women lawmakers
want. If women are united then they can make difference as their will," said
Prachanda while addressing the mass.
Since Nepal is in the verge of drafting new
constitution so far, this year's celebration of the 99th International Women's
Day has come up with the main theme of "Women-friendly constitution drafting,
appeal to all Nepali".
Nainkala Thapa, President of National Women
Commission (NWC) and coordinator of 99th International Women's Day main
organizing committee said discrimination on the basis of gender difference is
continuing in Nepal by the state itself, adding such discrimination is a
violation of human rights. She asked all women across the country to unite and
raise voices while drafting new constitution.
Former Minister for Foreign Affairs Sahana Pradhan
appealed the new republic to declare NWC as constitutional commission.
"Government has not taken NWC as constitutional commission. Unless it is
announced as a constitutional commission, no issues related with women will be
taken seriously," added Pradhan.
Prachanda vowed to present the proposal in the cabinet to declare NWC as constitutional commission.
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