KATHMANDU, Sept 15: Women in Nepal are yet to have a strong presence and role in the decision-making level although the issues of gender equality and social inclusion were included in the election manifesto and statute of the political parties, argued participants of an interaction program on Friday.

Speaking at the programme organized by the Centre for Dalit Women Nepal, Nepali Congress leader Pushpa Bhusal argued that the provision of at least 33 per cent women's participation in state organs and government requires women to be competitive and capable.

"The Constitution of Nepal has a provision for at least 33 per cent women's participation. But they should be competitive and capable, she said, asking, "Where are women at the decision-making level?"

According to her, women should be fielded in the election but there should be a plan and strategy to secure a win for them. 

Similarly, CPN-UML parliamentarian Jivan Ghimire said that although women's participation was comparatively increasing in the recent time with the establishment of democracy, the situation is not yet satisfactory.

He emphasized changes and spoke of the need to correct the weakness in the implementation of the constitution. 

Likewise, Rastriya Swatantra Party's parliamentarian Santosh Pariyar underscored reservation for people from the marginalized caste, communities, class, gender and regions. He spoke about the need to mainstream women who, according to him, were left behind.

CPN (Unified Socialist)'s Metmani Chaudhary shared that women should be prioritized while fielding them in the First-Past-The-Post system in elections and all political parties should include this provision in their policy and manifesto.

On the occasion, advocate Indu Tuladhar presented a paper on the 'Issues of gender equality and social inclusion in the political parties' statute and manifesto'. 

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