Kathmandu, Jan. 18: Commitment to change the social attitude and jettison the gender biased bromides are the first and foremost condition to empower women in the real sense though there are a host of other problems to be tackled with appropriate programmes, said women legislators who also included a cabinet member today.
At a colloquium on “Role of Women Legislators for Women’s Empowerment” held by the Management Association of Nepal (MAN), some speakers blamed the Women Ministry for failing to launch programmes for women’s development and building coordination with the women lawmakers, while the government side admitted that lack of efficient management had contributed to make the plight of women worse. But on top of all, equal treatment to both son and daughter was called for so that women could be equal partner in the mainstream of development.
Minister of State for Women and Social Welfare Ms. Kamala Devi Panta charged the male dominated society of non-cooperating the women who have ventured into politics and have represented the people. Pointing mismanagement as the chief culprit for backwardness in every sphere of the society, Panta stated that women parliamentarians need to be empowered before they can help other women become empowered.
The proportion of women’s representation in the Parliament is so slender that their voice is hardly heard, Panta said alleging that men MPs are far from willing to support the cause of their female counterparts. “It is for this reason that the bill on women’s rights is pending at the Parliament,” she added.
Complaining over the inadequate budget allocation in the social security sector, Panta said that this has resulted in our social backwardness. “When our situation is centuries behind, how can we successfully compete with the advanced countries ? she questioned.
National Assembly member Ms. Goma Devkota stressed the planned programmes for the development of women. Women empowerment programmes are hindered with the lack of budget, she said and pledged that she will spend the development budget under her disposal for women’s cause.
Another Upper House member Ms. Sarada Pokhrel said the society should be free from sex biased stereotypes as a step forward to empower women. She stated that women in Nepal will be able to place themselves at equal footing with men for which equal opportunities are necessary. Pointing at the lack of coordination between women MPs and the Women Ministry, she added that the voice of women MPs for the rights of women is continuing.
National Assembly lawmaker Ms. Gaura Prasai complained over the condition of women in jail with children and called for necessary jail reform. Urging Women Ministry to launch women development programmes in the villages, she said women MPs are aware about their responsibility towards their community.
Ms. Silu Pyari Karmacharya, Upper House member, said it is a matter of concern that the parliamentary representation of women who constitute 51 per cent of the population, is only three per cent. She alleged that women were discouraged to participate in the international forums.
Secretary at the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare Ms. Urmila Shrestha, presenting a paper on the theme of the talk programme, said it is necessary to implement the commitments made by the country in the international conventions on women in order to assimilate women in the mainstream of development. “For this the government has formulated action plans,” she added.
Shrestha said women MPs can play a pioneering role for empowerment of women. They can give financial and moral support by creating awareness, launching lobbying and advocacy and helping pass women rights bills.
Ms. Gosai K.C., Shiva Adhikari and Dinesh Adhikari of MAN also expressed their views on women’s empowerment at the programme.