-
http://indiaenews.com/2006-06/11730-government-maoists-out-nepal.htm
Government, Maoists have left us out, say Nepal women Kathmandu - Even as Nepal’s government signed a historic pact with Maoist insurgents for peace, both sides were accused of leaving out women, who form the majority of the country’s population.
Women, representing groups as diverse as the powerful, sophisticated Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) and the grassroots Adivasi Janjati Mahila Sangh (AJMS), began a sit-in in front of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s official residence in the capital.
‘Though women took part en masse in the April agitation (that ended King Gyanendra’s absolute rule), we had a fear the leaders were exploiting us to make the stir successful,’ said Sapana Pradhan-Malla of FWLD.
‘We suspected once they achieved their goal, women would be discarded again. And that’s exactly what has happened.’
Women’s rights activists say though a multiparty democratic government came into power and the newly reinstated parliament announced there would be 33 percent reservation for women, all the decision-making panels formed by the new government have ‘consistently and intentionally’ excluded women.
‘There is just one woman minister (in the 20-member cabinet),’ said Shobha Gautam. ‘After the second round of peace talks, two panels were formed and both excluded women.’
The government and the guerrillas have signed a four-point pact that appointed an all-male five-member team of observers to be present during the talks. A second team formed to monitor if either side was violating the code of conduct has 31 members, of which only one is a woman.
The protesters say the lone woman, Sudha Sharma, president of Nepal Medical Association, represents the medical community and not women.
On Friday, after direct talks between Koirala and Maoist supremo Prachanda, a six-member committee was formed to draft an interim constitution. That too has no women members.
‘We have come to deliver a warning to the government,’ said Lucky Sherpa of AJMS.
‘During the decade-old insurgency, women from the indigenous, socially backward and plains communities have been the hardest-hit. But the peace talks, ostensibly being held to resolve the conflict, have completely overlooked those who have been affected most. Where is the inclusive democracy the leaders promised us?’
United under an umbrella - the National Alliance - women’s rights groups have begun campaigning for the inclusion of women. Since the last two months, the alliance has begun campaigning in the capital as well as outer districts. But it is an uphill task.
‘We have met the leaders of all the parties, including the Maoists and ministers, urging them to include women while making important national decisions,’ said Gautam. ‘But no one is listening.’
