Current achievements possible only through women's struggle: Minister Dr Rana

Kathmandu, Aug 19: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has claimed that Nepali women have achieved progress in securing their rights and empowerment through their own efforts and struggles.     

Inaugurating a seminar on 'Past, Present and Role of Nepal Women' Association in the Future' organised by the Nepal Women Association affiliated with the Nepali Congress here today, the Minister and also NC central member said the significant achievements so far in the areas of women's rights, including constitutional rights, were possible due to long and tremendous struggle of women themselves.     

Recalling the contribution of NC women leaders from Mangala Devi Singh to Shailaja Acharya, Dr Rana lauded Nepali women's movement, struggle and sacrifice, which, she said, led to today's achievement.     

However, she argued that women have still a long way to go. Recalling Nepali women's' active political engagements in all movements from the 2007 BS historical revolution to the establishment of the republic, she said, "With their inspiration, we joined the struggle for women's rights and were able to create an environment where, for the first time, favourable provisions were made regarding women's rights in the existing constitution and laws of Nepal."     

According to her, the constitutional guarantee of 33 percent women's representation in the federal parliament and the province assemblies and 40 percent at the local levels is a positive step indeed, but Nepali women should continue to struggle to make this legal guarantee meaningful and practical.     

Sharing her own political experiences, she said, "Patriarchal thinking still dominates our society. Politics is still an uphill battle for women. Therefore, we have made all our sisters aware, empowered and prepared them to move forward for their rights, with the belief that women must fight for themselves."     

The Minister stated that hardship of Nepali women is similar to challenges facing by women leaders globally, reflecting the global nature of gender-based barriers.(RSS)