Women rights activists have urged the government to ensure proportional representation of women in the National Reconstruction Authority.  

Disappointed at Prime Minister KP Oli for failing to mention women, who along with the children were affected the most by the earthquakes in April and May, the women rights activists have asked the government to maintain gender equality in the NRA to ensure that women and children are not left out in the reconstruction process.

Issuing a statement on behalf of the Collective Campaign, an alliance of organisations working in the field of women’s rights, Chandni Joshi of the campaign has urged the government to appoint women in leadership position in the NRA.

The statement has also requested the government to refrain from appointing officials on the basis of their political leaning and suggested that the government should rather appoint women who have expertise in the field of reconstruction. Women rights activists have also demanded that government be serious while appointing women in constitutional bodies such as the National Women Commission and National Planning Commission.

“The government should stop appointing women who are close to certain political parties; it should rather appoint those who have knowledge and expertise in the respective fields,” read the statement.

Single Women Group, Beyond Beijing Group, Forum for Women, Law and Development, Sancharika Samuha, Feminist Dalit Organisation, Media Advocacy Group, Sathi, Worec and Jagaran Nepal among others that are involved in the Collective Campaign have also requested the government to ensure meaningful participation of women in all government sectors.