Gender and Democracy: An Overview for Nepal

Abstract

The constitutional democracy was instrumental in bringing the question of gender equality in the forefront of public attention in Nepal. Feminist advocate claim that democracy requires the empowerment of women so that they can establish new knowledge and means to assert their rights, voice, and participation in the equal world. Otherwise, the democratic ideals of constitution would become a mere utopia. Feminists also view that legal equality would be useless if actual inequalities in practice continue to discriminate women in everyday life. The chapter attempts to delve into the following question.

How does a society value the role of women? Does it value it as much as the role of men? Are all women similarly valued or is there differentiation by caste, class and ethnicity? What are the factors impeding or favoring the greater participation of women in political activities? How can women play a greater role in initiating changes, which will facilitate larger political, economic and institutional space for them?

Citation

Banskota, S.S. (2012), "Gender and Democracy: An Overview for Nepal", Wejnert, B. (Ed.) Linking Environment, Democracy and Gender (Research in Political Sociology, Vol. 20), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 33-47. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0895-9935(2012)0000020005