Participants in a debate programme have univocally called for prioritising women candidates in the upcoming local level election scheduled for May 13.
The debate programme organized by Srijanshil Sanstha Nepal in coordination with Sancharika Samuha, Rupandehi chapter, in Rupandehi district saw encouraging number of female participants who demanded enabling environment where women can cast votes without any pressure and run for major posts.
On the occasion, Deputy Mayor of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City Gumadevi Acharya admitted that women representatives like her did not leave behind any stones to fulfill their responsibilities in the local level.
Acharya asserted that women candidates should not be fearful of not getting the desirable posts if they raise the voice against unequal and unfair treatment and viewed the political parties be inclusive.
Similarly, Rajendra Thapa, Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Women, Children and Senior Citizens of Lumbini Provincial Government, urged women to increase their bargaining power in the parties.
"Political parties should reconsider the issue of women's participation in politics while the women should be bold enough to say that they will consider not to vote other male candidates if they were not given due responsibilities."
He called for transparency in the nomination process from the political parties.
Likewise, Sancharika Samuha's advisor Indira Aryal requested the political leaders to provide opportunities to studious and struggling women since, she argued, there would be lesser chances for factionalism and vengeance if women are elected to leadership post.
She asserted that women's meaningful participation in politics was curtailed by reservation system and demanded to implement constitutional system which ensures equal rights for women.
Likewise, Blue Diamond Society's representative Aanik Rana stressed for enabling environment where sexual minorities' identity and existence are recognized.
Also speaking at the programme, CPN (Maoist Centre)'s Rupandehi's chairperson Nirmal GC shared that his party had formulated policy to ensure at least 35 per cent women's participation in the party and pledged to contribute towards increasing women's participation in the coming days.
Nepali Congress district treasurer Hari Aryal said that women's participation in leadership was increasing lately and viewed that women having strong willpower, readiness and capacity should get the opportunities.
Also, voicing her opinion in the debate, CPN (Unified Socialist) under-secretary Sarita Shreesh argued that women's status was only limited to asking for women's rights.
Source: National News Agency Nepal
