As women constitute more than half of the country’s total population, its overall development largely hinges on their meaningful participation in social, political, economic and cultural processes. Gender equality is one of the key indicators of development. The countries, where women have succeeded to occupy the top positions in politics, governance and business, have become rich, stable and influential. Nordic nations are the classic examples of how women empowerment enabled their people to live a quality life. Despite their small size of population and geography, they flex diplomatic clout on the global stage and contribute a significant amount of aid to the poor nations. Nonetheless, women continue to be discriminated against and exploited in many parts of the world. Many women suffer brutal domestic violence. The entrenched inequality that women are subjected to has held back the progress of society. It is a painful reality that women have to face numerous forms of discrimination, biases, taboos and misconceptions though the world has made big strides in the field of knowledge, science, technology and economy.

Bearing in mind the role of women in steering the wheels of society, the focus has been duly shifted to programmes and campaigns aimed at attaining gender parity. Various Acts, laws and conventions have been crafted in favour of women so that they can stand on par with their male counterparts. Nepal has taken many political, constitutional, legal and institutional measures to uplift their status. The new constitution has envisioned a proportional, inclusive and egalitarian society by eradicating all forms of discrimination against women. It has defined women's rights as fundamental rights, with the guarantee of safe motherhood, reproductive rights, and equal rights in parental property. These constitutional gains were made on the back of women’s sacrifices, struggles and active participation in the various democratic movements. They have been an integral part of political upheavals that spread the people’s awareness of their rights and duties at an unprecedented level. As a result, the country has seen visible improvement in the Gender Development Index (GDI).

The other day, the 112th International Women’s Day (IWD) was marked globally with the theme 'Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.' Originally it was International Women's Labour Day which has been celebrated under the aegis of the UN since 1975. In Nepal, an unfavourable political climate did not allow people to observe it openly in the past. In 1977, International Women's Labour Day was marked secretly under the coordination of noted women writer Parijat. Following the establishment of multiparty democracy in 1990, the day was marked amidst a variety of programmes. It was officially recognised in 2003. Still, a large segment of the woman population, especially those on the margins of society, is unaware of the day.

Addressing a programme organised on the occasion Tuesday, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that any form of violence against women and exploitation is punishable. "The state's policy, legal, structural and procedural reforms for gender equality and women's development have resulted in a significant increase in women's representation and participation in politics and administration," he said. It is imperative to implement the constitution's provisions to ensure gender equality, social, economic and political rights of women. With the introduction of the federal set-up, the three-tier governments should take the collective initiative to empower women, thereby enabling them to contribute to the nation-building tasks.