Unfulfilled promises: Assessing women’s participation in local governance in Nepal
Photo: Pixabay House of Representatives election act, 2017, section 60(4) has ensured 33 per cent of seats for women in the parliament and all other highest positions such as president and vice president, speaker and deputy speaker of Parliament (in both upper and lower houses), mayor and Deputy Mayor where one of two must be female has been provisioned. Further, it has ensured inclusive provisions and other provisions have increased women’s participation comparatively at the local level as well. With all these provisions in Nepal’s constitution, the status of women’s representation at the local level is still unsatisfactory due to the loopholes of the law, which have hampered their representation. Landmark for Nepal: 2017 Elections In 2017, Nepal marked a significant milestone by conducting its first elections after the adoption of the new constitution in 2015. This event was notable as it was the first time in more than 17 years that the country held elections at the local le...