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'Women should fight for the right, not ask for it'.
"Indigenous women's issues in Constitution Assembly poll and Voter Education" Campaign in Nepal
-Sangmo Yonjan-Tamang in Kathamandu
Kathmandu, April 1, 2008-As the date for the Constitution Assembly (CA) Poll nears, The National Network of Indigenous Women (NNIW) is busy informing and educating indigenous women, especially those who are illiterate, about the CA poll and voting procedures to make sure they will be able to cast their votes correctly.
Guests attending the workshop in Kathmandu (03/28/08). Photos: Sangmo Yonjan-Tamang
NNIW works to ensure the rights of indigenous women, their access to resources and influence in decision making processes. They are conducting an awareness-raising program with the support of UNIFEM on the important issues and on voting procedures under first-past-the-post and proportional system as well as the proper use of election materials.
As part of their awareness-raising program, NNIW organized a one day workshop on "Indigenous Women's Issues in Constitution Assembly Poll and Voter Education" on March 28, in Kathmandu. There were about 70 participants in the workshop including those outside the valley.
Speaking at an inauguration session, Communist Party of Nepal United Marxist and Leninist (UML) leader and the chief guest for the program, Aastha Laxmi Sakya said political parties should clearly tell people what is written in their election manifestos stating that "activities like murdering, threatening, kidnapping and obstructing election should stop immediately to enable a free and fair CA Poll in a peaceful environment."
She blamed the patriarchal society and 248 years of feudal state structure for making women powerless and deprived from opportunities in the society adding that "women should fight for the right rather ask for it. The contributions made by indigenous women in the historical movements of the past have taught us a lesson for the struggle."
National Women’s Commission Chairperson, Naina Kala Thapa urged that women not be viewed as mere entertainment or toys, but rather as equals deserving equal opportunity and valued for their ability to contribute to society. "Women ought to come out and fight for their right to opportunity and leadership in the society as well as in the nation." she added.
She stressed the need to identify discrimination against women and to deliver justice and opportunity for indigenous women.
Sociologist Dr. Khrishna Bhattachan
Indigenous leader Dr. Krishna Bhattachan predicted a huge participation of khas people in the CA election because none of the political parties have followed the principle of inclusion and proportionality. "If all the indigenous peoples, including the women, Madhesi, Dalits and other minorities groups make a common strategy and participate in CA election, the rights of indigenous nationalities will be ensured" he added. Stating that all the achievements of indigenous peoples through the movements of the past is not satisfactory, he encouragingly added " we can achieve more if we continue the struggle for our rights and our identity".
Lucky Sherpa, NNIW president who chaired the program, said that voter education is necessary to fully educate indigenous women about the CA election and the appropriate use of voting materials. Many of them are quite unaware that this is such an historic event.
Vice-Chairperson of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) Tek Bahadur Sunuwar, Secretary Member of National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) Lok Bahadur Thapa Magar, UNIFEM representative Saru Joshi, Adviser of NNIW Laxmi Rai expressed their views that indigenous women’s participation in the CA election is essential to ensure their rights and agreed with other speakers that voter education is essential to educate illiterate indigenous women.
Krishna Kumari Waiba, General Secretary of NNIW urged the participants not to miss this lifetime opportunity to cast their votes in the historic poll and make the capable candidate victorious.
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