Jagaran News
Discussion with the Thematic Committee of Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of Constituent Assembly Held:16 November, 2009:
With the joint organization of Jagaran Nepal and National Forum for Women Rights Concern (N-FOWRC) along with 30 organizations working for women rights and women concerned issues belonging to networks, federations and institutions and the support of CARE Nepal, a discussion program on “Women Issues on Draft Concept of Thematic Committee for Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of CA” was happened on November 14, 2009.
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The program was chaired by Jagaran Nepal President Sharmila Karki amidst chief guest Nilambar Acharya, Chairperson of Constitutional Committee of CA along with the guests Ushakala Rai and Gagan Thapa, members of Fundamental Rights and Divertive Principles of CA including CA members Dama Sharma, Sabitri Dura, Shanti Adhikari, Basanti Jha, Gauri Mahato and legal expert Meera Dhungana.
Giving thanks to the organizers for organizing the program at appropriate time, chairperson of constitutional committee of CA Nilambar Acharya emphasized, “We all should be organized for raising and addressing the overall issues of women in new constitution massively and for that I am ready on my own”. He stressed that the constitution should address the voice of all citizens with due consideration to their dignity and for that we all men and women should work together for making nation and society- friendly constitution.
At the program, Ushakala Rai, member of thematic committee for fundamental rights and directive principles and chairperson of gender thematic co-committee
of CA said that the draft concept has come with the spirit of equal footing of male and female however, there is still room for improvement. In this connection, Gagan Thapa, member of thematic committee for fundamental rights and directive principles of CA said that the draft is in preliminary stage so a lot of works and discussions should be done for make it final. He suggested to consider the recommendations of public opinion committee for the concept of this committee too.
At the program, CA members Dama Sharma, Sabitri Dura, Shanti Adhikari, Basanti Jha and Gauri Mahato commented on the draft concept that even if the draft has come with the spirit of equal footing, a lot of weaknesses are still there so a massive discussion in CA should be initiated and for that we are ready to do so from the ‘Caucus’ of women.
Analyzing the thematic draft concept, legal and gender expert Meera Dhungana said that women have been discriminated for traditional period that is why the reason special provision for women should be created in new constitution to ensure and implement the equal footing rights as projected by the draft concept of fundamental rights and directive principles of CA. Civil society members representing dalit, madhesi, Janajati, rural area and human rights activist suggested that women issues should be provisioned in new constitution with the spirit of proportionate representation.
Briefing about the objectives of organizing the program, Jagaran Nepal President Sharmila Karki and program chairperson said that the backbone of deprived group is fundamental rights so in making constitution a lot of alertness and consciousness should be made with the collective initiative and lobby of all along with civil society.
Goma Acharya, coordinator of N-FOWRC briefed about the initiatives of N-FOWRC for making new constitution and plan of action for coming days at the program. She emphasized the need of integration of overall women issues in new constitution as fundamental rights. The program was conducted by Jagaran Nepal program Officer Kala Rai.
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