September 5: Stakeholders have been demanding 50 percent seat for women to compete directly in the upcoming federal and provincial elections. They have also pointed the need for competition among women to ensure 50 percent victory.

The Constitution of Nepal has made it mandatory for the participation of 33 percent women in the provincial and federal parliaments. However, the political parties are interpreting this provision in their own way and electing 33 percent of women in the parliament through proportional representation instead of direct elections. Limiting women to proportional representation has made them weak in competition and deprived them of the opportunity to bear responsibility towards the voters of the constituency on the other hand.

Currently, political parties are engaged in the selection of candidates for the provincial and federal parliaments, which will be held on November 20.

Voices are being raised to ensure at least half of the candidacies for direct election to women on the pretext that women’s participation in the House of Representatives contributes significantly to the creation of women-friendly laws.

Out of 165 directly elected seats in the current parliament, the number of women lawmakers is only 6. The political parties have allocated 84 out of 110 seats under proportional representation system for women to ensure 33 percent participation of women in parliament.

The aim of the constitution is to ensure at least 33 percent of women in the law-making level, not to increase the percentage of women to 33 through proportional representation.

If the political parties still do not provide equal treatment and equal opportunities to women, it is futile to hope for a change.

Even considering the aspect of population, women should get 50 percent share in elections. According to the Central Department of Statistics, among the population of 29.2 million, around 15 million are women. In addition, the literacy rate of women has increased in recent times and the number of women getting higher education has also increased significantly. Therefore, there is no shortage of potential women candidates for elections.

After the 2006 movement, the provision of 33 percent reservation was made for women. However, with the changing times, it is now necessary amend it.

Ever since mandating 33 percent women participation, the number of women's participating in the bureaucracy, army, police, courts, educational institutions, financial institutions, etc. has increased. A few days ago, UML leader Dr. Brinda Pandey said that there should be at least 50 percent women candidates in direct elections. Congress leader Dr. Dila Sangraula's echoed the same. Although they raised such serious issue, their own parties are not taking this issue seriously.

Until there is equal opportunity and the courage to take equal risks, recognition has little meaning. Of course, the physiology of women and men are different. But it does not mean that women are weak. Women are more skilled in some work and men are more skilled in other. This matter is only used for division of labor.

In elections, the trend of selecting male candidates for first-past-the-post election and women for  proportional representation is not fair. In the upcoming elections, big parties should stop such trend.