News

The Interaction Program on the “Importance of the women participation in the Constituent Assembly” was organized by UNI Nepal Women Committee together with the network organization CLASS Nepal on 8th December, 2013. The program also marks the 16th day of activism for Violence against Women.

While the successful election of the Constituent Assembly induced a celebratory mood, it was agreed that results of the Constituent Assembly in terms of the gender inclusiveness and participation was not satisfactory.

The objective of the session was to allow participants to discuss women participation in the Constituent Assembly, brainstorm legal solutions to different types of violence upon women; learn about the development in the law draft, as well as to go through roles for newly-elected women member in Class Nepal.

The event saw the participation of 59 representatives from UNI affiliate trade unions, trade union national centers, civil society organizations and the other stakeholders. Women trade union leaders who were nominated for the Constituent Assembly were also invited. The key note speaker for the program was Ms. Binda Pandey, former member of Constituent Assembly, Central Committee Member of CPN UML and experienced trade union leader of Nepal.

Pandey said that the initiation of the Constituent Assembly is promising and despite the fact that not everyone has access to the decision-making structure, she encourages Nepalese to initiate change from their own circles. “Activism will be successful if we sensitize ourselves, our friends, family about violence and human rights.” 

Some of the talking points about the constituent assembly are:

• Political violence: Political parties need to introduce ways to ensure that a fair and substantial number of women participate in the Constituent Assembly. Women member in the constituent assembly still struggle to write women-friendly laws as they face strong opposition when doing so. Women need to be allowed to communicate, so that agendas can be properly highlighted and brought into discussion.
  In addition, Nepalese women continue to be victims of violence because they are not given the right of inheritance and may not pass their names to their child. The right to decide whether a woman wants reproduce should also be limited to the individual. It is a basic human right for women to own their bodies and to plan for their own education and career. These issues had been raised while preparing the draft in the constituent assembly.
• Economic violence: Women are fundamentally disadvantaged because they have no right to ancestral property by law. Without economic backing, women are inclined to be more tolerant towards abuses and men are likely to be abuse their status. The income of home-based workers, domestic workers, and the self-employed should also be monitored, evaluated and counted towards national income.
• Socio – cultural violence: These are highly prevalent but are usually dismissed as personal problems. They include multiple marries that may be accepted legally when argued to be “cultural traditions”. Understandably, traditions that violate the rights of men and women should not be allowed to continue and should be abolished instead.
  Both society and the government need to work together to reduce violence against women. Safe houses should be extended to all districts and infrastructures so that women who are victims of violence may seek solace there. A fast trial bench to deal with violence cases should also be established. Some of these are the most important issues that need to be addressed.          

Participants engaged in an intense discussion and predicted arguments that may be encountered during the revision of laws. The program concluded that there should be all round pressure and advocacy for a 33% representation of women in the Constituent Assembly so that it may adequately address the women issues by introducing relevant legislation.