Proportional representation of women is human right: Upadhyaya

Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Kedar Nath Upadhyaya has said that the NHRC has initiated the issue of ensuring proportional representation of women in every state agency as basic human rights.

Speaking at the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Women Rehabilitation Center (WOREC) Sunday, Upadhyaya said that the Nepali women's movement would be achieving a great victory even if only 33 percent representation in the Constituent Assembly (CA) was attained as per the provision in the interim constitution.

Terming violence against women as the greatest threat to women's rights, he stressed that the state must punish the culprits by leaving no room for impunity.

He was of the view that a mechanism should be developed to bring the culprits of the incidents of hidden domestic violence to book.

Member of the National Women's Commission Dhana Kumari Sunuwar presented an official data of incidents related to violence against women during the period of fiscal year 2006/07 that stands at 11,00.

General Secretary of General Federation of Trade Unions (GEFONT) Binda Pandey urged all the women to cast vote in favour of women candidates to ensure at least 33 percent representation of women in the CA.

She also vented her anger against the leaders of major political parties for failing to ensure adequate number of women candidates in the first-past-the post electoral system. nepalnews.com ps Mar 09 08