Women threaten poll boycott

December 7, 2006 – (Kantipur Report) Women political leaders on Wednesday warned that they would boycott polls and would not even vote if the political parties fail to ensure 33 per cent women's participation in the upcoming election for Constituent Assembly (CA).

"Now we will be strategic," said Sahana Pradhan, standing committee member of CPN-UML and chairperson of Inter-Party Women's Alliance (IPWA). "Just imagine what would happen if we women don't vote for CA?"

Speaking at a program on "UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 in Nepal: Relevance and Application" organized by UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and Center for Women and Politics, Pradhan, who has also been proposed for an ambassadorial appointment, demanded parties to make a provision of not including parties for election to the CA, if they don't ensure 33 per cent reservation for women.

"We will no more just remain demure, instead we will become dauntless," added Pradhan. She however said women leaders should also take the challenge of taking up other social issues like rehabilitation and reintegration .

Sarita Giri of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi) and Uma Adhikari of Nepali Congress (Democratic) said that until women become strategic it would be impossible to ensure women's participation in all the processes, including CA.

Junko Sazaki, representative of UNFPA said that government secretaries and joint secretaries are very conservative, which could hinder the implementation of 33 per cent house resolution on women. Sanam Anderlini, UNFPA consultant on UNSCR said, besides talking about rights and place, women should also think about what could be women's answer to the bigger problem. "Think also about how you can contribute to the overall problem," she added.

From : http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=93748