Kathmandu: The women’s organizations of different political parties have asked the government not to draft any laws to allow polygamy. Issuing a press statement today, the leaders of the women’s organizations said that their serious attention was drawn to the drafting of new laws, which they termed as a regressive law formulated against women. “Such an attempt made to amend the laws was unacceptable,” they warned.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the women’s organizations have vowed to take to the streets while asking the government not to formulate such discriminatory laws, stating that it was against the spirit of the Constitution of Nepal. They have expressed concerns that allowing polygamy, even in some cases, could further increase inequalities against women and exacerbate suppression and violence against them.
The joint press statement was released by several leaders from prominent women’s organizations, including Acting Chairwoman of All Nepal Women’s Association Menaka Pokhrel, Chairwoman of All Nepal Women’s Association (Revolutionary) Amrita Thapa, Chairwoman of All Nepal Women’s Association Mina Pun, Chairwoman of All Nepal Women’s Association (Revolutionary) Bandhu Chand, General Secretary of All Nepal Women’s Association (Socialist) Rajendra Laxmi Gaire, and joint-coordinator of Revolutionary Women’s Association Nepal Sharada Mahat. They collectively urged the government to reconsider drafting laws that would allow polygamy, emphasizing their potential negative impacts on gender equality and women’s rights.