Kathmandu, July 24
Women leaders from Nepali Congress have demanded that the party’s President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba give at least 33 per cent share of his Cabinet to women.
They have warned to launch an agitation if Deuba fails to meet the demand.
While Deuba has reportedly expedited intra-party and inter-party consultations to expand the eight-member Cabinet in a day or two, the Nepal Women’s Association organised a press meet in Kathmandu to issue the warning.
The organisation’s President Uma Regmi says a protest will be announced if Deuba does not include at least one third ministers from women.
Leaders speaking at the event also suggested that another key coalition partner, CPN-Maoist Centre, also send women in sufficient number to the Cabinet.
Earlier, women leaders from various parties had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister putting forth the same demand. Deuba’s own wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, also a lawmaker, had led the delegation.
Currently, there is no woman in Deuba-led eight-member Cabinet.