The Law, Justice and Parliamentary committee of parliament Friday approved  the 11th amendment of the Mulki Ain giving women right to parental property like their brothers.

But such property will have to be returned after marriage. The bill will have to be approved by the full house of the House of Representatives before becoming law.

The members of the ruling Nepali Congress Party withdrew their original support for absolute women’s right to parental property to the protests of the main opposition UML.

Critics say the bill was donor driven; women have already have rights to property of spouses while property rights for women will bring a rift between brothers and sisters.

Critics argued  education for women should be encouraged instead. Spinsters have right to property.