Women’s participation in Nepali politics

Although political changes in Nepal have increased women’s participation and awareness, at the decisive level, it seems very low compared to the rights given by the constitution. After the people’s movement of 2062/63, the proportional electoral system enabled many women to become active in politics, from members of parliament to the prestigious positions of the nation.

For the first time in its history, Nepal has a woman as President, Speaker and Chief Justice. It also gave Nepal a different identity around the world. But even now, as men are seen in the decision-making process, many people have doubts that this glorious history will not be repeated again.

Although the interim constitution of Nepal has ensured 33 percent participation of women in every field, after the promulgation of the constitution in October 2072, it seems that one-third of women have not been able to participate in the council of ministers.

The presence of women in the cabinet formed under the leadership of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Nepal, was only 16.67 percent. Only four women became ministers in the 24-member cabinet. After that, in the government led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalnath Khanal and Baburam Bhattarai, only 11.63, 20 and 24.5 percent of women had the opportunity to become ministers as ministers, state ministers and assistant ministers respectively.

The then Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Khilraj Regmi, appointed only one woman minister in the 11-member cabinet formed under his leadership. If we look at the history after this, Sushil Koirala gave three women in his 20-member cabinet and KP Sharma Oli only four women in his 34-member cabinet. Among the four Ministers of State he made, only one was a woman.

The government led by KP Sharma Oli, formed after the country went into a federal structure, has not yet been completed. There is no other woman in the seven-member cabinet except the Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Thammaya Thapa. When the news that the cabinet will be expanded only after the presidential election came in various media, even the women whose names have been recommended are not sure that they will become ministers.

The ‘blame’ that women are not capable is sometimes placed on the entire women’s sector. Proportional system is a very good system for inclusion of women of ability. However, as the leaders use this system according to their own preferences, it is sometimes seen that the qualified person is left behind as it has to come from the veterans to the new ones. Although the number of women in Parliament is fixed by the constitution, it is not binding in the Council of Ministers. The effect of this is that some decisions made by important bodies like the executive are feared to be one-sided.

Participation at every level, not just in politics, empowers and empowers decision-making. According to the saying that women and men are the two wheels of the chariot, it is necessary to have equal participation of men and women in any place. More politically, it is inevitable.

Political participation makes correct laws and rules for equal distribution of country’s resources and means. Women’s participation in it will help in creating fair and women-friendly laws. It also helps sustainable development by becoming a democratic country. Therefore, women’s participation in politics is essential.