Kathmandu, January 11

Emphasis has been laid on giving women who comprise half of the country’s total population leadership roles in the policy making level in the civil service.

At an interaction ‘Women in Civil Service’ organised by the Ministry of General Administration here, participants pointed out that women’s participation in civil service which has surged to 18 per cent from 11 per cent is not enough.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said society must understand that women’s reproductive capacity is a big charity for mankind’s development and that policy should be created on this basis.

The PM said that women could not become shareholders despite being given opportunity to participate in every sector, while adding that absence of women in leadership level of the civil service was sad.

Referring to Cuba, PM Oli said that women had gained access to top positions due to development of education.

He further said that women must be encouraged to seek opportunities in the social sector and policy making level, and be given education.

General Administration Minister Rekha Sharma expressed commitment to implement the issues put forth during the interactive programme and said a mechanism would be formed so that all the ministries could address women’s problems.

She said the Civil Service Act would be reformed for gender equality for all women employees.

Public Service Commission Chairman Umesh Mainali said the plan for women’s participation in civil service would remain defunct unless they were given access to the policy making level.