Meaningful representation
The Himalayan Times
15 February 2018
Meaningful
representation
The country is now on the course
of constitution implementation following the successful completion of three
tiers of elections. Local level governments have started their functions
despite shortages of human resources and adequate infrastructure for the last
nine months. Provincial governments are in the process of formation and might
take full shape within a week. Likewise, the new federal government likely to
be headed by K.P.Oli at the central seems to take its chair this week. If
everything goes well, the provincial and federal governments will start
functioning from third week of February.
If we closely look at the
proportion of women representatives in the leadership positions in all the
three tiers of federal structure, there does not seem to be a sign of
satisfaction. Of the total 35,041 representatives for 753 local units, 14,331
(40.9%) women representatives were elected at the local level elections. However,
only two percent of them were elected for mayoral and chair posts. Another
discouraging scenario highlighting the role and intention of major political
parties, mostly dominated by male leaders, who never get tired of talking about
social inclusion, was seen while appointing the provincial governors.
Likewise, none of the chief
ministers for the seven provincial governments is a woman. In the seven
provincial elections of 330 representatives, only 18 women (4.84 %) were
elected under the FPtP system. Similarly, of the 165 representatives, only 6
women representatives (3.63 %) were elected in the House of Representatives
under the FPtP system, where as the constitution calls for 33 per cent. The major political parties will make up this
shortfall of women representations through the PR system for the sake of
constitutional provision. However, as opined by THT in its editorial column “A
man’s world” (THT, February 13, Page 8), the political parties of Nepal, which
are largely male-dominated and are yet to internalise the principle of
inclusion, should pave the way for women to hold leadership positions in the
days to come.
Rai
Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
