Women's Under-inclusion

In the recently concluded parliamentary elections, only nine women members were elected to the House of Representatives in the first past the post (FPTP) voting category in which a total of 165 representatives are elected. This female representation accounts for about 5.45 per cent of the total members under this category. In a country where the ratio of female population is more than 51 per cent, such a representation in the national legislature is dismal and discouraging. This shows how seriously Nepali women are existing as an outcast in national politics. The picture may not possibly be rosier in other sectors such as bureaucracy, business, law practicing and other enterprises. When it comes to the fields of decision making, leadership and independent economic activities, Nepali women are obviously lagging behind compared to their male counterparts.