Minister Sita Badi Extends Greetings on Eighth National Women's Rights Day

Kathmandu. Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Social Security Sita Badi has extended heartfelt greetings to all Nepali sisters and brothers residing in the country and abroad, and to all individuals and organizations working in the field of women's rights on the occasion of the Eighth National Women's Rights Day.

She recalled this day, celebrated with the main slogan 'Respect for Women's Rights: Campaign for Self-Reliance and Prosperity', as an important day in establishing the rights of Nepali women.

Recalling the historical background of the day, Minister Badi informed that a resolution motion of urgent public importance was passed in the then House of Representatives on Jestha 16, 2063 BS. Through that motion, it was passed that children would get citizenship from their mother or father's name, at least one-third participation of women would be ensured in all state structures for proportional participation, discriminatory laws would be abolished, and violence against women would be ended.

She clarified that this day began to be celebrated in remembrance of that historic day. The Minister stated that this day has provided further impetus to ensure women's rights, achieve substantive equality through policy and structural efforts, and strengthen good national and international practices.

Minister Badi stated that the participation of women in local levels, provincial assemblies, the current federal parliament, and even the Council of Ministers of the Government of Nepal is a significant achievement, in line with the assurance of women's participation by the Constitution of Nepal. She mentioned that the Constitution of Nepal guarantees fundamental rights such as the abolition of gender discrimination, equal lineage rights with the father, safe motherhood and reproductive health rights, as well as the right to participate in all state bodies on the basis of proportional inclusion.

She stated that as a result of the current constitutional, legal, and structural arrangements, the access and participation of women in elected bodies, government services, and all state bodies have seen a significant increase. She also informed that positive changes are occurring in indicators such as a reduction in maternal mortality rate, an increase in the overall literacy rate of women, and the development of women's entrepreneurship.

The Minister mentioned in her message that the expansion of the ministry's scope of work has made it easier to work in the field of social security for women and others. Despite the achievements, many challenges still remain in society, Minister Badi pointed out.

She clarified that the persistence of child marriage, gender-based violence, domestic violence, and remnants of traditional harmful practices in society hinders women's empowerment and the creation of a just society. Acknowledging the truth that the destination of building a prosperous nation cannot be reached until there is a substantive change in the standard of living of women, she heartily called upon the governments at all three levels to move forward in a coordinated manner by formulating necessary policies, plans, and programs to fulfill this.