KATHMANDU, MARCH 8

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said the State has ensured policy, legal and institutional provisions to promote the rights and interests of women, for their meaningful participations in the State apparatus, for their empowerment and for the attainment of gender equality.

In his message of best wishes to all Nepali sisters and women rights activists at home and abroad on the occasion of the International Women's Day today, the head of the government reminded that Nepal's constitution has recognized the rights of women as fundamental rights, providing ground for women's meaningful participations in the State apparatus from the Presidential post to the local governments.

The establishment of women's leadership in State bodies, their equal rights to property, competitive capacity enhancement of women, transformation in status quo thinking and other traditional values are accomplishments in the efforts for building a just society, according to him.

Extending tributes to all those who significantly fought for political, economic, social and cultural rights of women, the Prime Minister said the government has given special priority to expand the role of women in State's organs in recognition of their contribution to the nation's prosperity.

"Investment on women would lead the nation towards the path of prosperity through family, and society as well as help to build gender equitable nation", reads the message.

Stating that it was necessary to make investment on women-targeted programmes more effective on the issues of women's access to education, health, employment, poverty alleviation, livelihood improvement, social security, the Prime Minister laid emphasis on women's meaningful participation, representation and leadership development. "It is necessary to end all kinds of violence, discrimination and exploitation against women and to ensure equal access to resources, opportunities and benefits by establishing leadership role of women," reads the message.

Prime Minister Dahal has also wished that the day inspires all the bodies concerned to work with more energy and motivation for women's participation, empowerment, equality, representation and capacity building.