A Changing Society in Nepal

Could the New Democratic Republic Pave the Way for Nepal's Future?

Aug 21, 2008

Nepal has abolished its monarchy in favour of becoming a Democratic Republic. The country is hopeful for a positive future for women and ethnic and minority groups.

The new Constituent Assembly met for the first time on 28 May 2008, voting 560 to four in favour of getting rid of the 240 year-old Nepalese monarchy. King Gyanendra and his family were given two weeks to move out of the royal palace and will soon become regular tax-paying citizens.

In the April 2008 elections, nearly 65 per cent of the nation's voting population turned up to election polling booths across Nepal , with the Maoist party winning 220 seats in a 601-member assembly.

The Constituent Assembly, directly elected by the people of Nepal, is the body of representatives authorised by the Interim Constitution to draft a new Constitution for Nepal.

In the lead up to the formation of the Constituent Assembly, women’s rights and ethnic and minority rights groups made it clear they would fight for their involvement and participation in the political process. The Constituent Assembly Members Election Act (2007) set minimum quotas for the proportional representation election, ensuring a certain level of representation for women, Madhesi, Indigenous and minority groups.

The Constituent Assembly is made up of 33 per cent women and a proportionate representation of ethnic and minority groups, making it one of the most inclusive legislative bodies in world history. Approximately one third of Constituent Assembly members are from the Madhesi community, with another one third from Indigenous communities.

In a country where women have historically had little input into political processes, the new Constituent Assembly members mark significant progress. In 2001, women comprised 50.1 per cent of the total population of Nepal and yet only 12 women were represented in Parliament, seven women in the lower house (3.4 per cent of the total) and five women in the upper house (8.3 per cent of the total). The patriarchal structure of society in Nepal is the cause for low political participation of women and ethnic and minority groups.

The fair representation of women and ethnic and minority groups in the new Constituent Assembly is a positive step forward for Nepal, where women have faced oppression, discrimination and violence in a patriarchal society.

Women and ethnic and minority groups in Nepal have historically been second-class citizens and the inadequate representation of women and ethnic and minority groups in politics in Nepal is only now beginning to change.

The Constituent Assembly will serve to restructure Nepal as a Democratic Republic and, with the participation of women and ethnic and minority groups, it will hopefully ensure an improved, inclusive and open political structure for the people of Nepal.

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