Kathmandu, Jan. 15 : Minister of State for Women, Children and Social Welfare Kamala Devi Pant has expressed the belief that the upcoming 10th general convention of the Nepali Congress will take a concrete decision to implement social and cultural programmes for promoting the interest of women.

Minister of State Mrs Pant, who was speaking at a face to face programme organised by the Reporters Club here today, said the Nepali Congress has been encouraging active participation of women in various sectors without any gender and caste discrimination.

She also stressed the need for the party to provide 35 per cent of the central working committee seats to women so as to increase women’s participation in party activities also.

She said that the forthcoming NC general convention should elect Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala as party president for strengthening the party, and for effective implementation of social and cultural activities in the interest of women.

Deputy speaker Chitralekha Yadav stressed the need for increased participation of women in helping the government fulfill its commitments. She also hoped that the upcoming NC general convention would take necessary decisions to address the problems of women.

The country’s present circumstances demand Prime Minister Koirala as the party president once again, Mrs Yadav said and also expressed the belief that the general convention representatives will give the electoral victory to Prime Minister Koirala.

NC central member and ex-minister Mrs Lila Koirala expressed the belief that the NC general convention will give out the message of party unity and announce additional programmes in the interest of women. She also stressed the need to elect Prime Minister Koirala as the party president.

President of Nepal Women’s Association and ex-minister Mrs Mina Pandey was of the view that women should be provided with equal opportunities in every sector thereby paving the way for them to reach the decision making level.