Our Representative Our Right

Nepal is committed to advancing towards an equal society by embracing its multi-racial, multilingual, multi-religious, multicultural, and geographically diverse characteristics. The country aims to build a society based on proportional inclusion and participatory principles while protecting and promoting unity, socio-cultural solidarity, tolerance, and harmony among its diverse communities. Nepal seeks to achieve economic equality by addressing ethnic, regional, linguistic, religious, and gender discrimination, as well as all forms of ethnic untouchability, to ensure prosperity and social justice for all. The authority to formulate and implement the country’s policies lies with the government. The constitution guarantees women’s rights as fundamental rights, which should be experienced by every citizen. These rights should be experienced by every citizen of the country, and the government holds the primary responsibility for this. Despite women, who represent more than half of the country’s population, being included at the decision-making level, there is often a tendency to avoid accepting leadership positions under various excuses. Even now, the view of directly elected and proportionally represented provincial assembly members is not the same. Moreover, the discrimination based on gender continues.

Here we present an edited part of the discussion between Rima BC, INSEC Rupandehi District Representative, and Jamuna Dhakal, Member of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly and member of the Provincial Affairs and Law Committee.  This conversation focuses on the role and experience of women parliamentarians in shaping gender-friendly and human rights-friendly laws.

What are your roles and how was the experience in creating women and human rights-friendly laws?

So far, we have not been able to enact many laws. It has been 15 months since we began our work, and we have only succeeded in drafting the provincial civil law. We are currently working on local laws. The previous committee had already established many laws. However, you are also aware of the implementation challenges we face. We have made progress by actively discussing the laws and bills proposed by employees. Our focus has remained on addressing issues related to women, Dalits, indigenous groups, people with disabilities, children, and other backward communities. We are also discussing how to fulfill the promises we made during the election. As MPs, we are often viewed differently, but we are working to overcome these perceptions and make progress.

To what extent do you discuss and address the creation of laws that specifically support children, women, people with disabilities, dalits, senior citizens, madhesi, muslims, and queer communities?

We are actively discussing how to fulfill the promises made during the election and addressing the issues outlined in our election manifesto. We are evaluating what specific laws are needed to meet the needs of our citizens based on those commitments. As a member of the Provincial Affairs and Law Committee, which is led by a woman, we have prioritized addressing the needs and concerns of various communities, including women, children, Dalits, individuals with disabilities, Madhesi, Muslims, and other marginalized groups. We believe that with a sensitive and responsive approach from parliamentarians, we can effectively advance and implement the necessary laws to address these issues. However, it’s important to note that since our tenure began, there have been multiple changes in government, which has impacted the continuity and progress of our legislative efforts. The lack of government stability has been a significant barrier to progress. Promises are often made, but without political stability, fulfilling these commitments becomes extremely challenging. We have numerous tasks in the coming days, but achieving these goals requires a stable political environment. In times of political instability, it is challenging to make meaningful progress. While human rights activists and concerned individuals may raise complaints, addressing these concerns effectively can guide us toward finding the right solutions and moving forward constructively.

As a member of the Provincial Assembly, how would you describe the current attitudes towards women and the overall acceptance of women in leadership roles?

The attitudes and behaviors of women are different. The mentality that women came for representation and quotas has taken root. There is still a lack of acceptance for women, with limited opportunities for them to take on leadership roles. There is also a noticeable disparity in how we perceive and treat women who have transitioned from proportional representation. The MP Development Fund, which was previously called something else, highlights this issue further. MPs often face discrimination in the allocation of development budgets. It is felt that MPs elected directly receive different treatment compared to those elected through proportional representation. While protests have somewhat decreased, it remains important for women to unite and raise their voices on key issues. The UML has appointed a woman as a minister, while the Congress has yet to achieve this. Nothing changes unless there is a strong push for participation. Our party has nine women members, and despite our unity, we need to amplify our voices more effectively. Others are taking advantage of our inability to unite fully.

The provincial government has not yet formed a state coordination committee regarding the national action plan for human rights. In such a situation, how do you make people believe that the government is sensitive to the development of a citizen-friendly and human rights-friendly culture?

The topic raised here is very important. It is possible that not all MPs and ministers are fully aware of the Human Rights Provincial Committee, and there is limited information available about it. I have also had minimal knowledge about this committee until today. I will personally discuss this matter with the Chief Minister and take steps to ensure that the committee is completed as soon as possible. I also request the human rights activists to coordinate and facilitate the formation of this committee. We are committed to human rights and recognize that political instability and government issues have caused confusion and delays in addressing these matters. The next government is expected to provide stability and focus on completing unfinished work with renewed awareness and dedication.

In the end, what is your role in confirming the legitimacy of the provincial government so that the people of the province feel that the provincial government is necessary?

I will leave no stone unturned to fulfill my role to the best of my ability. I am committed to addressing the promises made to the people during the election. My political focus extends beyond just being a provincial MP, I aim to make the most of this role and ensure that I contribute effectively. As elections approach, I am determined to use my position as an MP to its fullest potential. We will move forward with a unified approach by discussing and addressing common issues faced by the citizens. Currently, political instability has created some problems and dissatisfaction among the public, which we need to address with awareness and commitment. As long as the government remains stable, all work can proceed smoothly. By identifying the needs of the people and creating laws to address them effectively, we can ensure that all citizens in the province feel the positive impact of their government.