Promoting Gender Responsive Democratic Governance in South Asia

SAP International in collaboration with SAP Nepal had organized a three day South Asian Regional Conference on “Promoting Gender Responsive Democratic Governance in South Asia” from 28- 30^th June, 2011 at Airport Hotel Kathmandu, Nepal.  The conference aimed to open up space and develop a common understanding between multi sectoral stakeholders on the issues of gender sensitive democratic practices.

Welcoming the guests and participants, Dr. Rohit Kumar Nepali, Executive Director of SAP International shared that the conference is an occasion for bringing together a diverse international, national and local community working in the fields of women in politics, gender and women’s rights to build upon collective experience through knowledge-sharing exercises and panel discussions.

The inaugural session of the conference was chaired by Right Honorable Vice President Mr. Parmanand Jha. During the session, SAP International’s a book entitled as “Engendering Democratic Governance in South Asia” was launched by Vice President himself. He stressed that gender equality is definitely important for development. Women’s participation in politics is instrumental in sustaining democratic governance. Without active participation and incorporation of their inputs, development cannot be achieved. The presence of women especially the marginalized ones would enable revision of existing policies and practices. He stated that at present as Nepal is in a transitional phase and the new constitution making process is undergoing, he hopes that it will ensure the rights of women in new constitution.

The conference was participated by policy makers, parliamentarians, politicians, human/women right activists, legal professionals, WIP advocacy groups and networks, researchers and academicians and media professionals. The distinguished guests namely Ms. Chandni Joshi, Vice Chairperson of SAP International, Ms. Khushi Kabir, Gender Activist, Ms. Raheela Duraani, Provincial Minister of Baluchistan delivered their remarks in the light of engendering democracy in South Asia from gender perspective.

The inaugural session was followed by thematic session where remarks from various guests speakers were delivered including that of Ms Mahua Ahur, Lecturer, School of Law, BRAC University, Bangladesh, Ms Geeta Pathak, Associate Professor and Execituve Director, Kathmandu School of Law, Nepal, Senator, Iqbal Haider, senior Advocate, Supreme Court Pakistan, Ms Savitri Goonesekere, Professor, Emiritus of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and Mr Kalyan Shrestha, Justice, Supreme Court of Nepal on existing laws and policies in South Asia from gender perspective.

Coordinator of SAP Bangladesh, Mr Raju Norul, Vice President of FNJ Nepal, Ms Yashoda Timsina, and Coordinator of The Friday Times, Pakistan, Mr Raza Ahmed Rumi, and Mr. Lakshman J.K. Hettiaratchi, Treasurer of SAP International shared their experiences on the role of media in promoting gender responsive democracy in South Asia in their respective countries. Addressing the thematic session of media, the Chair Mr Akhilesh Upadhyaya stated that the greatest problem faced by Nepalese media in the present day is related to the retention of women journalists in media. He shared that the English press of Nepal today is experiencing huge turnover of women journalists. While on the other side, to understand the issue, one has to sustain women in the profession for a longer time. This turnover is one of the biggest challenges of Nepalese media today. Proceeding the session, Ms Yashoda Timsina said that  it's now time to come out from the stereotypical image of women and  emphasized that women politicians should also be oriented on how to be media friendly.

Dr. Rohit Kumar Nepali, Executive Director of SAP International shared the Draft of Regional Gender Sensitive Democracy Charter, which is one of the vital outcomes of the three day Regional Conference. The core members of Drafting committee comprised of six representatives from South Asian countries including  Dr Massuda Jala, Former Minister of Women’s Affairs, Afghanistan, Ms Sheepa Hafiza, Director, Gender Justice and Diversity and Advocacy, BRAC, Bangladesh, Dr. Aasha Ramesh, Gender and Development Activist, India, Ms Padma Mathema, NDWG, Nepal, Ms Raheela Durrani, Provincial Minister of Balochistan, Pakistan and Ms Savitri Goonesekere, Professor Emeritus of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Draft of the Regional Charter pointed out recommendations for specific policy documents and recommend practical mechanism for application with regard to women’s participation in politics. The Draft of the Regional Charter was an outcome of civil society initiatives which include the critical areas of concern with regard to women’s participation in democratic governance at all levels in South Asia primarily in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.

The participants were unanimous on the point that the issue of women in politics should not be perceived as a mere women issue. It should rather be recognized as an essential human concern, a matter vital to the survival of democracy. They further added the necessity to create conducive environment through societal tolerance, stable gender related policies and effective regulation that can aim for course correction of democracy which values women’s active participation in every sectors.

The South Asian Regional Conference concluded with the demand of ending discriminatory practices that prevails in families, societies and largely in the political system for promoting gender sensitive practices by creating an environment conducive for meaningful participation of women in electoral politics in all regional countries.