Need to increase women participation in election: CEC Thapaliya

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, April 15: The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)  Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said that there is a need for change in existing laws and social environment to increase the meaningful participation of women in politics. 

In the inaugural session of the interaction on ‘Elections and Women: Efforts, Achievements and Future Actions of Nepal’ jointly organized by the Election Commission and UN Women on the occasion of International Women’s Day in Kathmandu on Monday, Chief Commissioner Thapaliya showed concern on merely appointing women in positions deemed binding by law rather than giving willful participation of women in politics as a whole. 

He said, “The ability of women in politics has been undermined per se. They have been deprived of rights and opportunities. The environment where women can participate enthusiastically in elections as a whole is still in place. There are many reasons that have resulted in such a situation, such as judicial obstacles, and inadequate resources. There are ample examples of how women in politics suffer harassment on social media and media outlets. It seems like groups including inter-party networks need to facilitate more to improve such situations.”