KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) leaders have laid emphasis on the need of increasing women participation from ward level to central level in the party.

NC leaders said so in a virtual interaction program on ‘Women and Youth Leadership in the 14th General Convention: Possibilities and Challenge’ organized by the Democratic Awareness Campaign on Sunday. On the occasion, NC central committee member Sujata Koirala said women participation should be increased from the ward to central level in the NC. She complained that though women are capable, there is no support for women leadership in the party, adding that women participation has been increasing at the local level gradually.

Similarly, another NC central committee member Dr Shekhar Koirala said that the party statute has some weaknesses regarding providing position of the party’s office-bearers to women. He shared, “Youth should be elected in NC’s office-bearers in the coming general convention.”

Likewise, Gagan Kumar Thapa opined that the party has been facing this issue as it failed to run the party as per the party statute. Thapa added, “There should be rule of law and statute in the party, not the rule of individuals. The party should be made inclusive from the lower level.”

Saying not getting the opportunities to lead the party by Nepal Women Association yet is a matter of concern, Sita Gurung expressed the view that there is still a situation to fight for women’s rights in the party.

Similarly, Sarita Prasain said that the party would be strong only through the participation of new and old active members together.

General-Secretary of Nepal Women Association, Dhana Khatiwada, NC Panchthar President Narendra Kreung, NC Taplejung President Leela Bokhim, among others stressed the need of increasing women participation in NC’s working committee.