Janakpurdham, Madhesh Province, August 28, 2024 – Saathi conducted a sensitization program for women provincial lawmakers on the critical issues of gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the emerging challenges facing the women’s rights movement in Madhesh province.
The program highlighted the difficulties in ensuring a gender-responsive provincial government, with participants raising concerns about the social, political, and financial barriers hindering female leaders’ progress in politics.
Participants discussed several pressing challenges in Madhesh province, including the difficulty for women to secure election tickets, misuse of reservation systems, unequal education opportunities between girls and boys, and the heavy burden of unpaid labor shouldered by women. The pervasive dowry system and caste, gender, and religious discrimination were also identified as major issues contributing to violence against women in Madhesh Province.
Bandana Rana, a CEDAW Committee member, facilitated the discussion, providing lawmakers with insights on how CEDAW supports governments in advancing the rights of women and girls. She also briefed them on the CEDAW process, government reports, and the significance of shadow reports.
The event brought together 35 women, including lawmakers and political party leaders, who shared their experiences, opinions, and personal stories of struggle and success within their parties and the provincial government.
