Every year the International Women’s Day (March 8) is marked by women’s groups around the world to commemorate women’s relentless struggle for equality, justice, peace and development. Likewise, it is observed by relevant agencies and women activists in Nepal too as a day to glorify the contributions of great Nepali women and to lay down future guidelines for age-old battle against discrimination facing women. Nepali women, especially those living under harsh economic hardships in the rural areas, have been subjected to all sorts of harassments and injustice for just too long. Needless to add, their miseries have been compounded by the ongoing civil strife that has hard hit the rural households and forced men to flee homes. Thus there can be little disagreement over the need for the private sector and the state to strengthen their course of actions and commitment towards women empowerment.

Undoubtedly, the socio-political awareness level of Nepali women has improved over the years. This is evident from the crucial role played by females in restructuring the patriarchal mindset of the society, which has now come around to at least recognising women’s right to existence. Women-oriented issues such as right to parental property, single motherhood, reservations at local bodies and legislature, etc., are hotly debated topics at national and international arena today. Unfortunately, in Nepal’s context, the consciousness level has grown at a relatively slow pace due to several factors. For once, it would be wrong to say that till date women have had no opportunity at all to strengthen their cause; in reality the much-needed solidarity variable has practically been invisible without which the women themselves know that nothing concrete can be achieved. At the same time, it would be wise for those fighting for women’s rights to alleviate the art of articulation and speed up pressure tactics to effectively influence the policies at the highest decision-making levels in the governance as well as in the public domain.