Women in power: Nepal's progress vs South Asia's paradox
Source: Tribune
Sustainable development, responsive governance and inclusive democracy all depend on women's equitable engagement and representation in politics. Despite international pledges and certain advancements, women in South Asia are still disproportionately underrepresented in positions of decision-making, especially in executive office, legislative leadership and youth politics.
In all nine South Asian nations, women make up only 7% of ministerial seats and 15% of national parliaments, according to UN Women.
Every South Asian nation has a largely patriarchal system of governance. This is demonstrated by the fact that women make up a disproportionately small percentage of representatives in elected bodies at all levels of government, and numerous studies have shown that even those women who are elected face significant obstacles to their ability to participate.
But it needs to be noted that the women's movement in South Asian nations has become stronger over the past 20 years, and calls for greater equal representation are being made throughout the subcontinent. Affirmative action laws have been implemented in several nations to guarantee a minimum level of female representation in government, but they haven't been enough to significantly and sustainably increase women's participation in governance.
Sustainable development, responsive governance and inclusive democracy all depend on women's equitable engagement and representation in politics. Despite international pledges and certain advancements, women in South Asia are still disproportionately underrepresented in positions of decision-making, especially in executive office, legislative leadership and youth politics.
In all nine South Asian nations, women make up only 7% of ministerial seats and 15% of national parliaments, according to UN Women.
Every South Asian nation has a largely patriarchal system of governance. This is demonstrated by the fact that women make up a disproportionately small percentage of representatives in elected bodies at all levels of government, and numerous studies have shown that even those women who are elected face significant obstacles to their ability to participate.
But it needs to be noted that the women's movement in South Asian nations has become stronger over the past 20 years, and calls for greater equal representation are being made throughout the subcontinent. Affirmative action laws have been implemented in several nations to guarantee a minimum level of female representation in government, but they haven't been enough to significantly and sustainably increase women's participation in governance.