Kathmandu, March 7:

A single women’s group today took out a procession on the occasion of the 99th International Women’s Day. The rally started from Maitighar Mandala and wound its way to various parts of the capital, ending at Baluwatar.

The participants demanded social security allowance for single women irrespective of their age.

“We will submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister tomorrow. We want the rights of single women to be enshrined in the new constitution,” said Lily Thapa, founder, Women for Human Rights (WHR).

She urged the government to formulate a special policy for the security of single women.

Also, the state should provide special educational quota for their children. Demands have been raised for free legal counsel.

While, ration card and reservation for jobs in government offices have also been put forth.

“We have sought discount in fare in public transports like the students. The government needs to find suitable ways to rehabilitate single women. To begin with, there should be tax exemption in businesses run by single women,” she added.

The National Women’s Social Forum marked the day with a poignant slogan: “A Federal Democratic Nepal based on equality and social justice is possible: we can bring this”.

More than 45 organisations are participating in a three-day programme that aims to highlight the rights and welfare of the fairer sex.

“It has provided an open platform for women who belongs to the grass-root level.

They are ones, who are truly suppressed and socially exploited,” said Roni Pradhan, coordinator of the event.

“They are underprivileged, thanks to all kinds of prejudices - be it social, economic and political. They have come together to make their voices heard,” she added.

She felt that the Forum could help women to collectively overcome various challenges that confront them in all walks of life.