Kathmandu, March 8: The 115th International Women’s Day is being celebrated today with a variety of programmes in Nepal too. The major theme for the Day this year is ‘For all women and girls: rights, equality and empowerment’.
The Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens is holding a special function while Women’s organizations affiliated with various political parties have also planned different events for International Women’s Day.
This day is observed every year on March 8 commemorating the economic, political and social achievements of women working in various fields around the world, while also advocating for enhanced women’s empowerment, elimination of gender inequality and violence.
Women’s rights have been established as a fundamental right in the Constitution of Nepal. Based on the principle of proportional representation, women’s participation in the political and administrative organs of the state has also been ensured. Currently, there are 34 percent women representatives in the federal parliament, 36.5 percent in the provincial assembly and 41.1 percent at the local level. Similarly, there is currently about 28 percent female employees in the civil service.
The United Nations has been celebrating Women’s Day since 1975. On March 8, 1908, more than 15,000 women in the United States demonstrated demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and the right to vote. This day is celebrated to commemorate the day when women themselves began the struggle for their rights and well-being.
Meanwhile, in a message today, President Ram Chandra Poudel has said that the principle of proportional inclusion adopted by the Constitution has proven to be a milestone in establishing meaningful representation and leadership of women in the political, social, economic, cultural and educational sectors. “Equal access of women to every sector of the state such as education, health, employment, policy making and decision-making process, and politics should be ensured to fulfill the objective of gender equality and women’s empowerment,” he added.
The President has also called for more effective and creative programs to eliminate harmful practices that increase the incidence of physical and mental violence against women and girls.
In a similar message, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav has stressed on the need to run awareness campaigns about gender equality and women’s rights for the general public.
Stating that there is a need for continued efforts to strengthen women socially, economically and through education and established their personal identity through empowerment. Stating that women have always played an important role in the development and progress of the country and society, he said that coordinated and organized efforts are necessary to increase their literacy, awareness and self-reliance.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire and National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal have also issued separate statements extending their best wishes to all women and girls on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
