Implementation of 33 percent appointments should be assessed, says martin

Special Representative of the Secretary General of United Nations in Nepal Ian Martin has underscored the need of assessing the implementation of the parliamentary declaration guaranteeing 33 percent of all political and civil service appointments to women. He also said the parties needed to develop a new sense of common vision for the peace process and effective road-map of actions required for successful Constituent Assembly (CA) elections including women in peace process bodies at the local and national level.

Addressing National Consultation of Women Human Rights Defenders organized by the Alliance of Women Human Rights Defenders to End All forms of Violence against Women in the capital city Kathmandu today, Martin said turning commitments into policies and programmes that change the conditions for women and girls across the country, from all communities, required political will, strategic vision and more action.

"This is critical in the struggle to counter violence committed against women in the domestic as well as the public sphere." said Martin.

Lauding women defenders' role, Martin said women human rights defenders were at the forefront of the struggle to protect women and men, especially in vulnerable communities, from violence.

"Women human rights defenders are bringing the power of Nepal's international commitments to bear at the grassroots level. They are bringing the language of equality to women from marginalised and disempowered communities, such as Dalits, Madhesis and Janajatis." said Martin. Martin also added that in turn, women human rights defenders needed to be protected from harassment as well as obstruction in the performance of their functions.