Kathmandu, April 3:

The national assembly of the Women’s Security Pressure Group (WSPG) today demanded equal participation of women at all decision-making levels in the country.

“We demand 50 per cent participation of women in all decision-making bodies and at all levels of the country. We also want that the discriminatory provisions in the constitution be removed,” said a press statement of the WSPG after the completion of its two-day long national assembly held here on April 1-2.

The assembly also demanded the women rights’ movement be taken in the form of a human rights movement. The group also expressed its solidarity with the ongoing movement for democracy in the country, arguing that women’s rights could be preserved only in a democracy.

“The women’s movement is no doubt an integral part of democratic movement,” said Sahana Pradhan, chairperson of the group, adding: “Women’s rights can’t be protected without democracy in the country.”

Pradhan, also a standing committee member of the CPN-UML, asked people to join the movement of the seven-party alliance for the restoration of democracy in the country.

She pointed to 139 provisions in the statute which, according to her, discriminate against citizens on gender grounds.

“The major concern is that the Constitution itself is discriminatory when it comes to gender issues,” Pradhan said while speaking at a press meet organised by the group. “The WSGP, therefore, is voicing the need for amendment of provisions in the Constitution.” “We want that the Constitution should make provisions for children to get citizenship on the basis of their mothers’ names,” she added.

Sharada Pokharel, member of the WSPG, said that the movement was aimed at bringing to an end discriminatory laws. “The Constitution must have provisions stating clear roles, room and reservation for women in all sections of the state, including political parties, civil service and other decision-making levels,” he added.