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Cover art by Chirag Bandel |
On 31 January 2012, International IDEA, in collaboration with the Women Caucus of the Constituent Assembly (CA) of Nepal, CA Secretariat and Nepal Law Society launched the book Women Members of the Constituent Assembly: A study on contribution of women in constitution making in Nepal, in Kathmandu. Available in English and Nepali, it includes stories of political journeys of 197 women CA members, reflecting their struggles, their hopes and their perseverance in bringing equality to Nepali society.
The elected women members comprise almost 33 percent of the 601 members and include seasoned politicians, women activists, professionals, former combatants, spouses of martyrs, and young women starting their political careers. Whatever their background, they have made their contribution to the constitution drafting process. Their contributions in the CA have, however, remained largely unrecognized.
Many female students, mostly of government colleges, are getting attracted towards political activities and getting actively involved in it. They say they are involved in student politics to work for students, and are moving ahead with male counterparts in the political path.
Ishu Lama, Treasurer of FSU at Pashupati Multiple Campus, Chabahil has been involved in student politics for the last five years. “I find politics is the best place if you want to do good for someone where you can make policies for others benefit,” cited Lama.
Giving a push to the people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is set to visit Islamabad for a five-day visit from February 21. Top officials claim this will be the first-ever official visit by an Indian LS speaker to Pakistan's National Assembly. Kumar's trip is aimed to forge better ties between the two parliaments and the people across the border.
Both India and Pakistan currently have women speakers in their Parliament's lower house.
The main opposition Democratic United Party’s (DUP) plan for a 15 percent quota for women in the selection of candidates to run in the April general election on its ticket is being opposed by some male potential candidates. They claim the rule constitutes reverse discrimination, questioning whether placing more women in politics was such an urgent issue. According to them, the 15 percent quota will hurt male candidates.
Proponents said the liberal party adopted the rule in order to encourage more women to join politics to better represent their interests. The current rate of women in politics _ 13.7 percent in the legislature _ is insufficient to represent the best interests of women, they said.
The Timorese-born Australian Angelita Pires recently declared her nomination in East Timor's Presidential election and is now preparing to begin her campaign. Pires says she's running to address problems in the justice system and to help provide universal access to justice.
"My candidacy was mostly due to the request of many, many people, many poor people and many of those youths and women who felt that they don't have access to justice and they felt that they wanted a change. Until today they insist that they want a new face and new ideas," said Peres in this interview.
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