Nepal Women’s Association marks 75th establishment day

KATHMANDU: Nepal Women's Association (NWA), the women's wing of Nepali Congress (NC), organised various programmes throughout the country to mark its 75th establishment day on Tuesday. The organisation was formed by Mangaladevi Singh, spouse of Ganeshman Singh, one of the major leaders of NC on this day in 2004 BS to ensure women's meaningful participation in politics. A group of women had discreetly convened at the house of Chiniyalal Shrestha at Bhedasingh in Kathmandu on this day 75 years ago and formed an 11-member Ad hoc Committee chaired by Mangaladevi. The day is considered to be a 'milestone' for women's foray into politics in the country for the NWA was formed as a political organisation to establish women's rights. Various NWA leaders acknowledged the role of 'politically aware' women folks in NWA in the past who significantly contributed to various political movements of the country in 2007 BS, 2036 BS, 2046 BS and 2062/63 BS. Former Deputy Prime Minister and NC leader Sujata Koirala noted that Nepali women have played an important role in establishing democracy in the country. She viewed women politicians should be provided 'tickets' to contest in the upcoming elections on the basis of their contribution to national politics. Outing president of NWA and Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Uma Regmi argued that the 33% women's participation in the parliament and provincial assembly was guaranteed due to women's movement and their struggle for meaningful participation in the legislative and executive bodies. She further said that the provision of women's mandatory appointment in either mayor or deputy post, chairperson or vice-chairperson post, president or vice-president post and speaker was ensured due to women's movements. Former president of NWA and parliamentarian Dila Sangraula lamented that women were not able to get 'tickets' to contest the election the way they should have deserved. She asserted that women candidates should be allowed to contest in the election from the First-Past-the-Post system. Another NWA central member Pratima Gautam also opined that at least 33% of women's participation in the State organs guaranteed by the constitution was due to the women's movement. The NWA that worked secretly prior to the establishment of democracy started working openly post 2007 BS movement. By RSS READ ALSO:

• Govt ready to amend law to increase women's representation
• HoR begins deliberations on proportional representation of women
• Prez Bhandari extends best wishes on 4th National Women Rights Day