Activists Urge Increased State Investment in Education, Health, and Skill Development for Women's Empowerment

Kathmandu. Women's rights activists have emphasized the need for the state to increase investment in education, health, and skill development sectors for women's empowerment. Participating in an event organized at the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday on the occasion of the 116th International Women's Day, attendees stressed that the state must create opportunities to make women's participation in nation-building meaningful.

Women and human rights activists participating in the program stressed that since women need to be capable in economic, educational, social, and other aspects for their empowerment, the state and concerned bodies must increase sufficient investment in sectors like education and health to create opportunities.

Tapa Bahadur Magar, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, citing examples where women are still deprived of opportunities, stated that campaigns must be conducted in collaboration and coordination with everyone for awareness and human awakening. He opined that equality is not ensured merely by enacting laws, and the state must play an active role in implementation.

Kamala Parajuli, Chairperson of the National Women Commission, stated that although there has been comparative development in women's capacity and access, they are still suffering from violence, inequality, and inhuman cruelty. She emphasized the need for clarity in policy so that women's equality is not limited to words.

“From a two-month-old baby girl to an 80-year-old mother in society are not safe,” she said, “The state must increase investment in education, health, and skill development sectors for women's empowerment. Effective laws must be enacted and implemented, and campaigns for raising the level of awareness must be conducted simultaneously.”

According to women's rights activist Chandani Joshi, a woman managing the household contributes to building national human resources. “When women take on the responsibility of the family as homemakers, they are contributing to nation-building. This needs institutional recognition,” she said. She also stated that the state needs to invest in women commensurate with its expectations.