Kathmandu. Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arju Rana Deuba has said that the present achievements in the field of women’s rights and empowerment have been achieved due to the struggle of Nepali women.

Speaking at a seminar on ‘Role of Nepal Women’s Association in the past and future’ organised by Nepal Women’s Association, a sister organisation of the Nepali Congress, here today, he said many achievements have been made in the field of women’s rights. “Women have important constitutional rights. This is the achievement of the struggle of all Nepali women,” she said.

Recalling the contribution of women leaders from Mangala Devi Singh to Shailaja Acharya of the Nepali Congress, Minister Rana said that the Nepali women’s movement has been able to achieve today’s achievements after the long struggle and sacrifice of them and other women leaders.

He said the current situation is not enough and women still have a lot to fight. He recalled that Nepali women have been actively participating in all the movements from the revolution of 2007 BS to the attainment of the republic.

“With the inspiration of the elders, we started the struggle for women’s rights and for the first time created an environment for better provision of women’s rights in the current constitution and the existing laws of Nepal,” he said. He said it was positive that the present constitution has ensured at least 33 per cent representation of women in the federal and provincial parliaments and 40 per cent in the local levels.

Nepali Congress leader Dr Rana defended these achievements and said that women have to struggle to make this legal guarantee meaningful and practical.

Minister Rana recalled that the present situation of women’s rights has not come as such and they had to struggle a lot while writing the constitution to ensure the present constitutional guarantee. He said that women are not easy in politics. “Patriarchal thinking still prevails in our society.

It is not easy for women in politics. Therefore, we made all the sisters aware, empowered and prepared them to move forward for their rights. ’

Not only in Nepal but in other countries of the world, it is difficult for women to do politics, he said.