Political parties urged to bridge inclusivity gap in politics
Summary
Participants at a Kathmandu programme emphasized the ongoing gender-based discrimination in politics and urged political parties to ensure meaningful participation of women and sexual and gender minorities, calling for at least 33 percent women candidates in upcoming elections.
Key Points
- Women face ongoing gender-based discrimination limiting their political leadership participation from households to political institutions.
- Political parties often marginalize women by rarely prioritizing them for direct elections or executive positions, placing them in less winnable constituencies.
- There is a demand for at least 33 percent women candidates in upcoming elections, with calls for Election Commission monitoring of gender balance compliance.
- Experts stressed that true political empowerment of women requires representation beyond quotas and inclusion at policy-making and implementation levels.
