PM FOR PROPER ATTENTION TO WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

January 9, 2003 – (The Rising Nepal) Chairperson of National Women's Commission Dr. Durga Pokharel handed over "the National Women's Commission Draft Bill-2059" to Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand amidst a function held here today.

The commission has prepared the bill after consultation and interactions with the people of various walks of life in 53 districts of the country. Prime Minister Chand handed over the draft bill to Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Anuradha Koirala to review and give the final touch to the bill in accordance with the procedures.

On the occasion Prime Minister Chand said the empowerment of women is not only the concern of women but it is the issue of all the human being of the world therefore all should pay proper attention about the empowerment of women.

He stressed the need to gradually move ahead for the empowerment of women in the country at a time when we are just practising to follow the duties and responsibilities. There is the need of creating conducive environment for women empowerment in the country, he said. Women empowerment would help make the whole family literate, he added. Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal stressed the need to carry out the wave of education and awareness to the women.

He expressed the confidence that the proposed bill would be very instrumental to present women's problems and their development. Minister for Home, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dharma Bahadur Thapa said all should pay attention to the effective implementation of the proposed bill for the empowerment of the women.Assistant Minister Koirala said there could be no representation of the grassroot level in the commission as the proposed bill has fixed the criteria of qualification and age for the chairmanship of the commission.

MP Maiya Devi Shresetha, vice chairperson of the Commission Mrs. Pratibha Rana, member Binda Pandey and Sita Giri also spoke of the proposed bill. From the chair, chairperson of the Commission Dr. Pokharel said necessary steps should be taken to provide relief to the women living in the district.

From: http://www.mahilaweb.org/footer/news/jan_03/rising_nepal.htm