KATHMANDU, MARCH 7

Lawmakers lambasted the government for prejudice and discrimination today, following the appointment of the secretary of the health ministry and its attitude towards women leadership. Toshima Karki, a Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) legislator, questioned the appointment of the health secretary in parliament today.

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The cabinet meeting on Wednesday decided to appoint Dr Bikas Devkota as the health secretary.

In a meeting of the Federal Parliament's Lower House on Thursday, lawmaker Karki questioned the appointment for overshadowing Dr Sangeeta Mishra, who was ranked first based on recommendation and seniority.

'Why did the cabinet reach such a decision? Can a male minister and a female secretary not work together? Or is it that women in leadership positions are not accepted?' she asked.

She stated that the prime minister, minister of health and population, and minister of general administration should respond to this issue.

'Despite being enshrined in the constitution, the state's attitude towards women has remained unchanged,' Karki claimed.

'There was a provision to grant citizenship in the mother's name, but when the bill was introduced, conditions were added, such as if the father's address was unknown, citizenship could not be granted,' she explained.

'There are only three women ministers in the 25-member Cabinet, accounting for less than 33 per cent of the total-a figure that reflects the government's attitude towards women,' she stated.

Similarly, while speaking in the National Assembly, Mrigendra Kumar Singh Yadav, a federal legislator from the Upper House, criticised the government for discriminating against Dr Sangeeta Mishra.

'Despite topping the promotion committee's recommendation, which would also have been prudent to select Mishra based on inclusiveness to the government, the opportunity to appoint Dr Mishra, who was recommended first, as secretary has been missed,' he said. 'The government must reconsider this mistake, and health minister Pradip Paudel should act inclusive rather than pretending to be an inclusive and youthful leader.'

Taking to 'X' Sumana Shrestha wrote, 'Tomorrow is International Women's Day. Many current lawmakers served in the Constituent Assembly and continue to hold important positions within the same party. Article 38, Clause 5 of the Constitution, you must have written it yourself, but I am putting it here in case you forgot,' reads her post.

Article 38 of the constitution of Nepal stipulates the rights of women. Clause 5 of the same article states that women have the right to special opportunities in education, health, employment, and social security based on positive discrimination.

'You stated that you would exercise positive discrimination in the case of women. But when it came to putting your words into action, you forgot!' reads her post.

'Mr. Speaker, the women's unit, as mentioned in the lower house rules, has not yet been formed. Women lawmakers from various parties have sent delegations on numerous occasions, but no attention has been paid. Half of the time of the House has passed, but it has not been formed,' adds her post.

'There was a capable woman on the shortlist for the position of health secretary. According to the previous article of the Constitution, she should have been given priority, but even when her name appeared, she was rejected. If there are any issues that stop her from becoming secretary, I have sought clarification from the minister of health and the prime minister.'