Reforms in electoral system stressed to increase women participation

Kathmandu, July 29  : Stakeholders and politicians have called for reforms in the electoral system to ensure more participation of women lawmakers in the Federal Parliament.    

At an interaction program on 'Electoral System and Women Participation' among the women lawmakers from the Federal Parliament organized here Thursday, the speakers argued that an amendment to the constitution was needed or an ordinance should be issued to increase the representation of women parliamentarians.    

On the occasion, Speaker of House of Representatives (HoR) Agni Prasad Sapkota said the political parties should play proactive roles in the leadership development of women adding that 33 percent representation of women is inscribed in the Constitution of Nepal was due to the efforts of the political parties.    

People's representatives should be held accountable to the people as the latter's livelihood has not improved yet even after the political transformation in the country, Speaker Sapkota added.    
Likewise, Deputy Speaker of HoR Pushpa Bhusal said the political parties should name more women candidates in the elections and should not limit their candidacy merely as an obligatory provision.    

Also speaking at the program, former Speaker of HoR Onsari Gharti Magar argued that the provision of reservation on women participation could be lifted if the political parties increase women participation in both the direct and proportional election systems.    

Lawmakers Chitra Lekha Yadav, Brinda Pandey, Dila Sangraula, Prem Suwal, Pramod Yadav, and others also shared their views on a timely amendment to the constitution for increased participation of women.    

During the interaction program, Radhika Regmi made her presentation on practices taken by different countries to increase women's participation in their parliaments. (RSS)