Kathmandu, November 1

Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar today said that the recent election of women to dignified posts of the President and the Speaker is a matter of pride for women across the country. She also said this has proven that women can also lead the country.

Talking to a delegation of Working Women Journalists today, Speaker Gharti Magar said, “Once we complete our tenure successfully, there will be more women making a name for themselves in various fields.”

Stating that women journalists being able to raise the issue of suffering, discrimination and equal representation is an achievement of the women’s movement, she said, “I am currently appointed in the government body which can institutionalise these achievements.” She also urged women journalists to offer suggestions on laws that need to be changed to make them women-friendly.

Gharti Magar also urged women to work hard to ensure better future for women in our society.

Subekchya Bindu Tuladhar, chairperson, WWJ, on behalf of women journalists handed over a 12-point suggestion to Speaker Gharti Magar to ensure women’s rights and gender-friendly policy. Among others, they have recommended at least 33 per cent women’s participation in the decision making level in Press Council Nepal, Federation of Nepali Journalists and private and public media houses. They have also demanded an end to discrimination against women in appointment, salary and benefits, training and foreign tours and promotions.

According to WWJ, of the total 10,077 journalists registered with the government, only while per cent or 1,613 are women.

WWJ was established in 2006 with the aim of raising issues of working women journalists, enhancing their capacity and ensuring quantitative and qualitative participation of women in decision making level.