Men have always used women's participation as a means to fulfill their own interests, and once their interests are fulfilled, there has been a tendency to remove that means and throw it away. Therefore, the tendency to worry about women's rights only on paper and in empty words must end.
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Women in Nepali society face various challenges arising from deeply rooted patriarchal narrow thinking and thinking styles that have been ingrained for centuries. This often results in gender inequality persisting in the social, economic, and political spheres.
Up to the present day, there are many examples of women who have proven their leadership and capabilities in various fields, including social, economic, educational, political, etc.
However, it is ironic that even today, the patriarchal thinking and society cannot easily accept this truth. Still, trying to limit and keep the participation and existence of women to running the house is a product of male-dominated thinking and thinking. Such thinking can never create the prosperity, egalitarian society, and self-respecting country that we are trying to change and build.
Over time, various systems have changed in the country, but ironically, there has been no significant change or has not been allowed to happen in the situation of women who occupy half the sky. The situation has changed today compared to the past, but the male-dominated mindset towards women is the same old and hypocritical. Even in the present day, today's society is still entangled in the same patriarchal thinking and mentality that has been in place for years. Society is not at all willing to accept the existence and leadership of women. Today's women have proven themselves to be superior in every field of the state, but politically, women are still considered second-class. Even now, men are not ready to accept women's leadership easily.
The result of this is the political dishonesty shown by men on the issue of women's participation in the upcoming House of Representatives elections. According to the Election Commission's data, the total number of voters across the country who have reached the age of 18 as of the day before voting on Falgun 21 is 189 lakh 3689. Out of this, 92 lakh 40 thousand 131 are female voters and 96 lakh 63 thousand 358 are male voters. Women make up 48.88 percent and men make up 51.12 percent. Even though there are so many women in number, why are political parties deprived of giving them tickets? When 49 percent of the voters are women, can it be justified to directly field only 11 percent candidates across the country?
Out of the total population of 29 million 164 thousand 578, more than half of the population is 149 lakh 11 thousand 27 or 51.02 percent women. However, even though more than half of the population is women, the parties have directly given only 11 percent of tickets to women, while they have tried to increase it to 33 percent by giving tickets through proportional representation. It is clear that the political leadership and the party have bad intentions towards women. Article 38 (5) of the Constitution states that proportional participation of women will be ensured in all structures of the state, but only inclusion is seen on paper, not inclusion in practice. This indicates that the basic foundation of the Constitution of proportional participation, social justice and gender inclusion is weakening.
Even today, women are not deprived of political participation because they are not capable and strong, but because political parties and leadership are not honest and do not believe in women's participation. Therefore, the prosperity of society and the country does not come by taking away women's rights, but by giving them equal participation and equal rights. Now, we should change our thinking and behavior so that women are not given 33 percent participation in politics, but 50 percent. And, the Constitution should also take the initiative to implement it by making participation a mandatory system. Only this can truly create a well-governed, egalitarian and prosperous society and country as we desire and seek.
Article 38 of the Constitution of Nepal is considered historic in terms of women's rights. Article 38(4) establishes special provisions for women in education, health, employment and social security as a fundamental right. However, these rights are only written on paper today, and are not seen much in practice. Even today, political parties do not make the issue of the safety of women and girls' lives a topic on their agenda.
The current economic maneuvering and expensive election expenses do not seem to be women-friendly in Nepali politics. On the contrary, the expenditure limit of 25-33 lakhs set by the Election Commission does not match the financial reality of most women. It does not seem that anyone has paid attention to how to reduce expenditure in elections. Moreover, the illegal expenditure during the silent period and the tendency to tempt voters further leave honest and capable women behind and are being left behind.
Thus, men have always used women's participation as a ladder to fulfill their own interests, and after their interests are fulfilled, there is a tendency to remove that ladder and throw it away. Therefore, the tendency to worry about women's rights only in empty speeches and on paper must end. More than half of the population, that is, 51 percent, is women.
Therefore, by accepting this truth, political parties must now become accountable to the Constitution and their manifestos. Inclusive democracy should not only be seen on paper, but also in practice. Therefore, to end such a trend, all political parties and leadership, old and new, must show honesty and morality. Only with a broad mindset of equal respect for each other, acceptance of existence and leadership, can one reach the right destination.
