With the objective of promoting the participation of women in democratic political activities, Women Democratic Network (WDN) was formed at a meeting of the district-level leaders of different political leaders in Gaighat,Udaypur district, on May 9th.

Chaired by Geeta Regmi of CPN (UML), the WDN comprises Lila Rai and Neelam Khan of Nepali Congress, Durga Pariyar of CPN (UML), Shanta Rai and Laxmi Pariyar of Nepali Congress (Democratic), Mandu Karna and Jhalo Devi Cahudhari of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Aanandi Devi), Ambika Regmi and Sabita Tamang of CPN (United), Chandra Kala Adhikari of CPN (United Marxist) and Mamata Malla from CPN (Marxist Leninist) as members.

The programme was organised by Renaissance Society Nepal, Eastern Regional Office, at the Gaighat Municipality hall.

Announcing the formation of WDN-Udaypur, Nepali Congress leader Arjun Khadka expressed confidence that the WDN would help the political parties to devise concrete plans to promote the participation of women in political activities. He added that the WDN was a good initiative towards strengthening democracy at the grassroots level.

Speaking on the occasion, UML leader Ram Mani Pokhrel said the WDN should emerge as a common forum of women and contribute in securing the place of women in the forthcoming Constitution Assembly election.

Likewise, NC (D) leader Narayan Karki said the political parties should admit that they lack concrete plans to enhance women participation in in party politics. He further said the WDN would help make the position women politicians stronger while increasing their participation in political activities.

Admitting the low participation of women in their ranks, leaders of different political parties expressed commitment to promote women participation.

Puskar Pokhrel from WDN project informed that 30 WDNs had already been formed across the country and more than 20 WDNs were going to be formed very soon. He informed that the main objective of the project is to enhance the participation of women within the political parties through various programmes.