Australia's message by having 50 percent women in the cabinet

Baishak 31, 2082

Editorial

Australia's message by having 50 percent women in the cabinet

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Similar news has come from Australia, a country about eight thousand kilometers away from Nepal. Against the backdrop of 56.6 percent female representation in the upper house, the Senate, the presence of women in the lower house, the House of Representatives, will also be significant.

In the election for 150 seats, the results of 146 seats have been reported so far, in which women have won 66 seats. Therefore, it is certain that at least 44 percent of women will be represented in the House of Representatives. Moreover, 11 women have been given roles in the newly formed 22-member cabinet. In this way, the Labor Party, which carries the progressive issue of gender equality, has won the most candidates in its history. Interestingly, of the 93 places he has won, 49 have been won by women. Women are not only present in the parliament, but they are responsible for the ministries that are considered important around the world, such as foreign affairs and finance. 

Even in Nepal, after the people's movement of 2062/63, the demand for state restructuring became a leading debate and common agenda. Among them was the issue of inclusivity, which guarantees a minimum of one-third female presence in Parliament. This is the reason why it has been possible to have about one-third representation of women in the Interim Legislature formed in 2063, both the Constituent Assembly and the Federal Parliament since 2074.

There is reservation for women not only in public representation, but also in filling positions in all state agencies. Such a policy has made the state gender inclusive. Women have also reached the office of President, Chief Justice or Speaker. Although many positive results have been achieved, the presence of women in executive positions, which have relatively more rights and responsibilities, is still negligible. Because the political leadership is not yet liberal, the presence of women in the decision-making process has not yet been firmly established.

Politically, all political parties in Nepal seem to be committed to gender issues. But they have not been able to establish its full reflection in practice. After the promulgation of the constitution in 2072, the main three parties Congress, UML and Maoists are leading the federal government. The Chairman/Chairman of that party has become the Prime Minister. But the presence of women in the cabinet has not been encouraging. They talk about making a woman prime minister, but the presence of women in the cabinet led by them confirms how superficial that is. There were only 3 women ministers in 2072, 3 in 2074 and 4 in 2078 in the KP Sharma Oli-led cabinet. Now in the cabinet formed under the leadership of Oli 

There are only 2 female ministers. Similarly, in the Cabinet led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, 3 women became ministers in 2073 and 6 in 2079. In Sher Bahadur Deuba's leadership, 3 women got roles in 2074 and 4 in 2078. With such details, it seems that all the Prime Ministers are disagreeing with the question of making ministers.

Even the proportional election system adopted to ensure women's representation in Parliament is misused. Due to the fact that family members, relatives or moneylenders of influential leaders of the party have been made MPs, the proportional system has faced criticism. For example, Arju Rana, who had been a member of proportional representation in 2064 and 2070 and the wife of Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, became an MP through proportional system.

In the second Constituent Assembly election formed in 2070, Rajyalakshmi Golchha, who became a member of the UML, gave a public statement that she had paid seven million rupees to the party several times. Not only in the question of making MPs, the presence of women in the leadership and decision-making levels of the party is weak. The role of women leaders is not seen in important decisions taken by the party. In the name of alliance, the practice of violating the provision that one of the president/chief and vice-president/deputy chief must be a woman candidate when the party nominates candidates in the local level elections has been institutionalized.

On the one hand, there is a need for purification within the system we have adopted. Such constitutional and legal provision for the purpose and target group should not be misused. A way to enrich it should be found. On the other hand, the representation of women in decision-making roles and exercising executive authority should be increased. For that, political parties and leaders should show generosity and be responsible. Be confident in women's abilities and be sensitive to gender justice. For this, the stronger the political leadership, the more positive changes will take place in all bodies.

Editorial

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