Nepal: Women push for gender equality in new constitution

A political crisis, which has dragged on for months, crippling progress in drafting a new constitution for Nepal by the Constituent Assembly (CA) has considerably dampened the euphoria of women's organisations here. The victory of many female candidates in last year's CA elections - trouncing veteran male politicians - had raised hopes that the new members, elected to write a fresh constitution for the country, would ensure gender equality. Sixteen months later, it seems the Assembly may not meet its May 28, 2010 deadline for the endorsement of the new constitution. In June 2008, Nepal turned its back on monarchy - forcing then king Gyanendra to step down - and embraced republican rule. A new constitution will assure all citizens equal rights and privileges. With 33 percent of the 601-members of the CA women, many of these nominated by political parties, there are female members in each of the 11 committees formed to discuss the draft of the new constitution. But women do not have a separate committee to discuss gender equality concerns.