RSP delegates push for expanded quotas for women and marginalised groups in leadership structure

Delegates at Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) convention are pushing for expanded quotas for women and marginalized communities within the party's leadership structure. The discussions, ahead of the closed session of the party's first general convention, highlight a desire to move beyond constitutional minimums and ensure "proportional and meaningful inclusion" in key positions.

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In my personal view, female leadership must be brought into the mainstream. While we must meet the constitutional 33 percent requirement, we should be aiming higher, towards 50 percent.

Several delegates expressed that the party should aim for higher representation than the constitutional 33% for women. Pabitra Thapa, a delegate from Kaski, stated, "In my personal view, female leadership must be brought into the mainstream. While we must meet the constitutional 33 percent requirement, we should be aiming higher, towards 50 percent." She noted that women are often relegated to deputy roles, indicating a societal issue where women are not readily accepted in top leadership positions, despite public discourse.

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This is a structural problem within society, not just one party. Society is still hesitant to accept women in top leadership roles. We speak about it publicly, but implementation remains difficult.

Representatives from Madhesh Province are also preparing to advocate for representation proportional to their population among office-bearers. Ramjit Ram, spokesperson for the RSP Madhesh Province Committee, confirmed they would formally raise the issue of population-based representation. He added that while candidates would compete in the open category, the leadership has been receptive to these demands.

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We will raise the issue of ensuring representation proportional to population. Even though our colleagues will compete in the open category as well, the leadership has been receptive so far.

Senior party figures have also voiced support for broader inclusion. Outgoing central committee member Dr. Toshima Karki questioned the practice of assigning women to deputy or joint roles and proposed a General Secretary post specifically for women. Other leaders echoed the call for proportional representation of Indigenous groups, Madheshis, and other marginalized communities, aligning with constitutional guarantees. Krishna Man Shakya, a delegate from Dhading, emphasized the need for clearly defined inclusivity criteria within party structures, stating, "Inclusivity is a major national issue. The RSP gives it theoretical importance, but this is our first national convention, and implementation needs refinement."

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Inclusivity is a major national issue. The RSP gives it theoretical importance, but this is our first national convention, and implementation needs refinement.