Minister for Information and Communications Minendra Rijal has said that the issues of women empowerment should be established in the political level. 

During the 19th anniversary and inaugural session of the sixth general assembly of Sancharika Samuha (SAS) here today, Minister Rijal said that the country would be prosperous once women were established in politics from village to the central level. 

He said that women have been playing the leading role from activities of different organisations like SAS at a time when local bodies' elections were not held for long. 

On the occasion, Minister Rijal awarded Mina Sharma and Tufan Neupane of Himal Weekly Magazine with 'Sancharika Samanta Prize' for their feature news 'Balatkari Umkaune Kanuni Chhidra' (legal loopholes for rapists’ exemption). 

Similarly, journalist Laxmi Darnal from Sunsari district was awarded with 'Late Uma Singh Journalism Award', Shova Bhattarai of Radio Nepal and Priyanka Pandey of Tarai Television with 'Sancharika Incentive Award'. 

Likewise, former Chairpersons of the SAS— Bandana Rana, Babita Basnet and Prem Kumari Panta— Commissioner at the National Information Commission Yashoda Timilsina and Member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Manchala Jha were also honoured. 

On the occasion, Prime Minister’s press advisor Prateek Pradhan, Chairman of the Press Council Nepal Borna Bahadur Karki, Chairperson of the Minimum Wages Fixation Committee Poshan KC, President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Dr Mahendra Bista, Vice-President Anita Bindu, among others stressed the need of making the media sector inclusive by accepting the professional and physical challenges in the field. They also wished for the success of the general convention. 

SAS Chairperson Nirmala Sharma said that presence of women in media sector should be made stronger.