Lalitpur, March 3:

Over 200 Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD) from 62 districts across the country today participated in a two-day National Consultation on Women Human Rights Defenders in Nepal organised by Women Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC).

The meet was organised to draw the attention of the WHRDs on the ongoing conflict and movement for Inclusive Democracy.

“Women’s contribution to the development of society is not well evaluated and their struggle is not acknowledged from the community to the national level. Hence, they are left out in the decision-making level and their issues are not addressed,” said Dr Renu Rajbhandari, the president of WOREC.

She added that the national consultation has been organised to discuss the issues and find out the solutions and develop implementation mechanism. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Sahana Pradhan, UML leader and a senior WHRD said, “It is high time that women’s contribution is appraised in the movement.”

Dr Meena Acharya, president of Tanka Prasad Acharya Academy, said women’s human rights is associated with women’s identity and their rights are being violated at various stages in life. Their right to education, health and citizenship rights should be ensured.

Another senior WHRD, Sneha Lata Shrestha, said, “The practice of paying women less

than men for doing the same job needs to be eliminated.” Shrestha added that women should be made economically strong for the development of the country.

Dev Devi Sharma, senior WHRD said, women in the grass roots level need to be made aware of their contribution and similar conferences need to be held in the district level to get their voice and make the campaign effective.

Mary Jane Real, co-ordinator, International Coordinating Committee on Women Human Rights Defenders, highlighted the role of women human rights defenders globally.

Representatives of dalit and disabled women also presented their views regarding violation of women’s human rights at various levels. Sunil Babu Pant, president of Blue Diamond Society said, human rights defenders should also consider the opinions and perspective of transgender and homosexuals.