NC Joint General Secretary Dina Upadhyay Advocates for 50% Women Candidacies in Direct Elections

Joint General Secretary of the Nepali Congress (NC), Mahalaxmi Upadhyay (Dina), has called for the constitutional guarantee of 50% women candidacies in the direct electoral system. Speaking at a daylong Bagmati Province-level orientation on “Equal Participation of Women in Electoral System: Current Issues and Guarantee of Women Representation,” she emphasized the need for a more robust approach to achieving gender equality in political representation.

Upadhyay asserted that while the proportional electoral system has encouraged women’s engagement in politics, it is insufficient for achieving 50% participation in each State’s apparatus. She highlighted the historic role of the Nepali Congress in advancing women’s political involvement, noting that Dwarika Devi Thakurani, the first woman minister in South Asia, was from the NC. However, she acknowledged the party’s shortcomings in ensuring women’s equal participation in decision-making levels.

“Despite significant contributions to political movements, women’s rights and representation in decision-making remain limited. It’s time for each party to ensure 50% women candidates in the first-past-the-post electoral system,” Upadhyay urged.

She also expressed concern over the decline in women’s political representation, citing the first Constituent Assembly in 2008, which had 34% women members, and noting that this number has decreased due to the growing practice of electoral alliances.

Pushpa Bhusal, an NC central member, echoed Upadhyay’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for women to unite and claim their rightful place in the State’s apparatus. Bhusal stressed that women leaders must be ready to serve the citizens effectively, and highlighted the importance of addressing issues of economic equality and educational status to strengthen women’s leadership.

Lawmaker and NC central committee member Sarita Prasain also underscored the ongoing struggle for women’s representation, pointing out that even cabinet positions guaranteed by the constitution and law lack adequate female representation. She called for continued efforts to empower women in politics and foster an environment where women support each other.

Social Development Minister of Bagmati Province, Hari Prabha Khadgi, reinforced the call for increased women’s representation, advocating for 50% rather than the current 33%. She emphasized the need for women to be empowered economically and socially to establish their leadership in political forums.

The event highlighted the ongoing challenges and necessary steps to ensure equal representation of women in Nepal’s political landscape, with a strong consensus on the need for constitutional reforms and active efforts to support women’s leadership at all levels.