Basnet’s political literacy initiative targets legislation gap to empower Nepali women

Nepal started observing International Women’s Day 34 years ago, commemorating a significant occasion that underscores the united commitment to human rights and the ongoing pursuit of gender parity. The theme for Women's Day this year (March 8) is "Invest in women: Accelerate progress," complemented by the campaign theme, "Inspire Inclusion”. In celebration of the 34th International Women’s Day in Nepal, Republica has curated a collection of 34 inspiring stories showcasing unwavering courage, resilience, and empowerment of women below the age of 34. These stories are not merely personal; they wield a profound impact, shaping the lives of those who share them. They unfold as tales of courage, resilience, and empowerment.

Despite Nepal comprising a majority of female population, the representation of women in politics remains limited to only 33 percent through proportional representation. This disparity impedes the inclusion of women’s issues in legislation, as the predominantly male-dominated parliament struggles to empathize with the obstacles faced by women.

From ruling parties to the main opposition party and across legislative and judicial bodies, the participation and representation of women in politics remains very few in numbers.

Prakriti Bhattarai Basnet, who motivates Nepali women seeking to break barriers and claim their rightful place in political leadership, is the co-founder and chairperson of Political Literacy for Women (PLW). Basnet has dedicated herself to empowering Nepali women by increasing their political literacy.

Basnet recognizes that the true essence of women empowerment extends beyond mere capacity-building; it necessitates providing women with the freedom to make choices, economically, socially and politically.

She highlighted the critical gaps in women’s empowerment within the Nepali context. She identified the absence of a robust feminist movement in legislation as a significant hurdle and pointed to the need for contextualizing system approaches that address the unique challenges faced by Nepali women.

She suggested the need for involvement of women in knowledge generating sectors including research, media, and innovation, recognizing it as a gateway to enhance efficiency.