The Women and Women Committee under the House of Representative has directed the ministries concerned to give importance to ender-responsiveness in the budget, policy and budget for the new fiscal year 2022/23.
In the meeting, Committee president Nirudevi Pal directed so arguing that it was a budget that worked for every gender by ensuring gender-equitable distribution of resources and by contributing equal opportunities for all
Committee, drawing attention of all provincial government through National Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration on the issues, instructed the National Women Commission and Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens for coordinating the effort to achieve gender-responsiveness in upcoming budget, policy and programmes.
Also, the Committee directed the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen and Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to implement the policies and programmes that encouraged the use of silicon cup as the best alternative to conventional sanitary pad for women to use during monthly period.
President Pal informed that the Committee asked the authority concerned to reconsider tariffs in the import of sanitary pad and silicon cups.
"The Committee directs the authorities concerned for effective implementation of the budget allocated for advancement of women, prioritizing programmes that ensure rights for the sexually marginalized communities, reduces gender-based violence and minimizes maternity and child mortality rate."
During the meeting, National Planning Commission's vice-chairperson Dr Bishwanath Poudel shared that the Commission aimed to implement free distribution of sanitary pad and build public toilets for all genders.
Likewise, National Women Commission's Chairperson Kamala Parajuli stressed on the need to allocate budget for women, children and senior citizens rather than for development works.
Attendees in the meeting such as parliamentarian Narayan Khatiwada, Durga BK and Thammaya Thapa viewed that women's related issues should be prioritized while allocating budget.
Source: National News Agency Nepal
