Women's participation in peace talks stressed

November 2, 2006 – (The Rising Nepal) Although women made a significant contribution to the April movement, their contributions has been ignored and they have been excluded from the peace talks, said Sapana Malla, President of the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD).

Speaking at the programme of poster release on 'Ensuring Proportionate and Meaningful Participation of Women in the Peace Process', she added that women rights play vital role for sustainable peace and economic development. Malla said that political mechanism is needed for the implementation of women rights in the society. The political parties have been treating women as only members and not leaders, she said.

She also highlighted the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 that has addressed the disproportionate representation of women in the state affairs and impact of war on women. The resolution calls for women's equal and full participation in peace talks and post war reconstruction planning.

Uma Adhikari, central member of Nepali Congress (Democratic) condemned all parties and Maoists for neglecting the contributions of women to the popular movement and not seeking their involvement in the peace process. She said even Maoists always voiced for women rights but used 40 per cent women in their combat force. The Maoists too have neglected women in conflict resolution and peace building process.

The poster provided by United Mission to Nepal has highlighted the issues of women related to ensuring rights of women in the acquiring of citizenship, ensuring 33 per cent participation of women in every level of state affairs. It also advocates for the proportionate participation of women in the constituent assembly and writing of the new constitution.

From : http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/content.php?nid=5567