SOUTH ASIA: Conference on Gender Responsive Governance Begins

A South Asian regional conference on “Promoting Gender Responsive Democratic Governance in South Asia” has started in Kathmandu from Tueday.

More than 50 politicians, intellectuals, human rights activists and legal experts are taking part in the three-day conference organised by SAP-International and SAP-Nepal with an objective of engaging with civil society and to explore and identify agendas and strategic actions for promoting gender responsive democratic governance practices.

The conference aims to promote an in-depth discussion on laws, policies, practices and mechanism of political governance institutions and advance exercise among concerned stakeholders to develop common agendas and point out concrete strategies to initiate comprehensive advocacy campaigning to promote conducive environment for women's participation in politics at regional level, according to the organiser.

A gathering will be offer an opportunity for the concerned stakeholders in developing future course of advocacy campaigning with state agencies, parliamentarians, political parties and election commissions for the formation of gender inclusive policies, mechanisms and promoting gender friendly culture and practices.

Inaugurating the conference, Vice President Paramananda Jha said wormen's participation in politics is very low in the world and Nepal's case is no exceptional. “The Constituent Assembly ensured 33 percent representation of women in politics. However, their participation in judiciary, administration and constitutional bodies is very low,” he said.

Saying that independent judiciary, rule of law and fundamental rights are the foundation of democratic system, Jha said Nepal should guarantee women's rights in the new constitution.

On the occasion, Vice-Chairman of SAP-International Chadani Joshi said the situation of gender based violence is alarming in South Asia. Stereotypical mindset of fellow politicians and voters, violence, discriminatory laws and practices, preconceived negative view of society about women politicians, lack of gender responsive politics and lack of adequate resources are the major challenges to women's participation in politics, she said.

Women's population is almost half in the world, yet they hold less than one-fifth of positions in government, he said, stressing for new innovative platforms for women in politics to update their political know-hows and upgrade their practical skills and hands on knowledge.

Coordinator of Nijera Kori of Bangladesh Khushi Kabir said gender equality has been a far cry in South Asian countries because of traditional negative thinking.

Executive Director of SAP International Dr Rohit Kumar Nepali said the South Asian states should prioritise internal democracy and transparency to increase women's participation in politics.

On the occasion, Vice President Jha released a book “Engendering Democratic Governance in South Asia”.