KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana has said that women still face many challenges in reaching leadership positions, whether in politics or any institutional sector.
Speaking at the women foreign ministers’ meeting (WFMM) held in Toronto, Canada on Friday, she said although many legal provisions and frameworks regarding women’s equality and inclusive participation have been developed, there are still numerous challenges for women to reach leadership positions.
Minister Dr. Rana argued that countries like Nepal and other third-world nations are facing even greater challenges regarding gender equality and women’s rights.
“Analyzing the political, social, economic and legal status of women worldwide, currently less than 11 percent of heads of state and less than 10 percent of heads of government are women. Women account for 60 percent of employment in the informal economy and spend three times as much time on average as men in unpaid service and domestic work,” Foreign Minister Rana said.
She said that women are also lagging behind in terms of enjoying legal rights and access to justice. She also noted that women are only able to exercise 64 percent of the legal rights granted to men worldwide.
She argued that their continuous efforts for gender equality in Nepal have led to some improvements in targeted policies and actions.
She said, “We have been fighting for women’s equality for a long time. Currently, our constitution mandates 33 percent female participation in federal and provincial parliaments and 40 percent in local government. Within a decade of the promulgation of the constitution, Nepal has seen women serve as heads of state, speakers, and chief justices. We must view this positively.’
The meeting includes women foreign ministers from 16 countries around the world. Discussions at the meeting focused on topics such as women’s equality and participation, the development of women leaders, the challenges women face in reaching leadership positions, misinformation, and its impact on women.
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