Kathmandu, July 30:

The Students’ Parliament in University (SPU) today publicised its 14-point demand that they are handing over to the newly elected President and Chairman of the Constituent Assembly (CA) requesting them to incorporate their demands in the new constitution.

The points were drafted after a series of intensive discussions on ‘University Students’ Issues for the new Constitution’ organised by SPU with support of United Nations Development Fund for Women. Reading out the 14-point demand at a press conference organised here today, Junu Gautam, a visually impaired Masters level student in Tribhuvan University, said female students need to be clear about their rights.

“Many females don’t get the opportunity to complete college-level education. All UN conventions related to women’s rights have to be included in the school-level education,” said Gautam.

Ensuring 50 per cent women’s candidacy in Free Students’ Union election and 50 per cent seats for female teachers and professors in government as well as private schools and colleges are among the students’ demands.

Sashi Risal, programme coordinator at SPU, said the inclusion of these demands in the new constitution would help safeguard women’s rights.

“We have taken this initiative feeling that our struggle should be focused on empowering women.” The students have formed a 51-member parliament comprising students of 10 colleges including Ratna Rajya Campus, Saraswoti Campus and Patan Multiple Campus.