Ensure Meaningful Representation of Women in Major Organs of the State and in Peace Process

Our attention has been seriously drawn towards not having women’s representation in the selction process of President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister following the election of the constituent assembly, and also not having representation in major organs of the state in the process of establishing peace in the country, despite their remarkable presence at the constituent assembly.

Recognizing the important contribution of women on social transformation and establishment of peace, the reinstated House of Representatives on 18 and 30 May 2006, adopted a motion for 33 percent representation of women in every organs of the state and to have 33 percent representation of women in all policy making level of the state, the Interim Constitution of Nepal 2006 also ensures more than 33 percent representation of women in the Constituent Assembly. Nepal also has the moral obligation of adopting a policy in line with the Resolution 1325 of the UN Security Council, which is aimed at increasing women’s participation and responsibilities in countries passing through peace process.

The resolution reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, and stressing the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision- making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution, and also stress on adopting gender perspective.

The policies and programmes revealed by the government on 14 September 2008, stated that plan-wise programmes will be issued to ensure proportional representation of women in all organs of the state along with making effective role of the National Women’s Commission for women’s empowerment and efforts will be initiated to make the National Women’s Commission as a constitution body.

Therefore, INSEC would like to draw the attention in the following issues to immediately ensure women’s representation in major organs of the state as per national and international provision for women’s participation in the peace process.

·          To make proportional representation of women in all major organs of the state,

·          To provide main responsibilities to women in various parliamentary committees, which are going to be established soon,

·          To ensure important role of women in to be formed ‘Commission for disappearances’ and ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’,

·          To make National Women Commission impartial, effective, powerful and constitutional body.

Subodh Raj Pyakurel

Chairperson