KATHMANDU: Women lawmakers have pointed out that lack of political will to empower women has resulted in their victimisation from the state as well as non-state bodies.

Constituent Assembly member Jaya Ghimire said political parties were unable to unite for combating violence against women. She urged the government to provide for free education to Madhesi women, who were socially, economically, culturally and politically disadvantaged. Addressing a programme organised to discuss ways to empower the Madhesi women, she said state should create awareness about superstitious beliefs.

CA member Durga Pariyar accused the parties of not giving women equal access. “Male bigwigs in our parties are preventing us from speaking in favour of women,” she added.

Lawmaker Gayatri Shah said parties were giving women nominal positions. Discriminatory acts as well as patriarchal ideology are hindering the progress of Madhesi women, said Shah.

Sixty-one of the 197 women lawmakers are from the Madhesi community.