WOMEN FOR PROPORTIONATE CABINET REPRESENTATION

June 9, 2004 – (Kathmandu Post) Women activists from different quarters of society today demanded proportional female representation in the cabinet in Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s government in the days to come.

Speaking at an interaction programme on "Proportional Representation of Women in the Cabinet" jointly organized by Sancharika and UNDP’s Mainstreaming Gender Equity Program in the capital, women speakers demanded proportional representation considering the fact that commitments like 33 per cent representation would not work properly.

"This time, we women want proportionate representation actually happening," said Bandana Rana, president of Sancharika.

Rana claimed that there was no dearth of efficient women to hold ministerial portfolios, adding, "it is time for us to test whether the political parties just used women in the street protests, or are also ready give power to them."

Roshan Karki, spokesperson of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), however, suggested that women activists should not demand proportional representation, claming that the parties were not even genuinely ready for ensuring the 33 per cent representation of women as pledged earlier. Instead, she stressed on the need of providing women with at least 25 per cent representation in the cabinet.

Bamdev Gautam, standing committee member of the CPN-UML, suggested women to continue their demand for proportional representation and said, "Proportional representation is not possible at present, but we are committed to ensure at least 33 per cent."

Nepali Congress Spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC had a different suggestion to women: Don’t ask for ministerial posts in this regressive government, but rather join the street protest.

"I suggest women not to join this government as it is a continuity of regression," KC said. "I would rather suggest you to support the ongoing movement for the return of democratic rights."

From: http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=12872