Kathmandu, July 3 :

The Acting Resident Co-ordinator of the United Nations, Junko Sazaki and representatives of the UNDP, UNFPA, UNIFEM, and OHCHR, today said they met a group representing major political parties and civil society organisations demanding a role in the peace process.

“Women’s participation is absolutely necessary for the peace process to succeed,” a statement issued here today quoted Sazaki as saying last Friday.

Sazaki and the representatives of the other UN bodies welcomed last month’s declaration of the House of Representatives that announced a 33 per cent reservation for women in the civil service and granted citizenship to children born to Nepali mothers. However, they pointed out that immediate legislative measures are needed for the declaration to be realized.

The UN officials also called on the Government of Nepal, the political parties and the Maoists to increase women’s representation in decision-making bodies. One of the key points of discussion between the UN and members of the Women in Alliance was the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which spells out the importance of women’s participation in all decision-making processes.

Also present in the meeting was Chandni Joshi, the Regional Director of UNIFEM South Asia office.