An Evaluation of the Contribution of Political Parties to Enhancing Women’s Inclusive Representation in the Political Landscape of Nepal

Abstract

Background: In Nepal, women's political participation has a long history and is bolstered by progressive constitutional and legal commitments, such as required gender quotas that demand a minimum of 33% representation from women. The study uses a qualitative research design and semi-structured interviews with 25 women leaders from six major political parties at the federal level. It also examines relevant literature, official election data, election laws, party statutes, and constitutional issues. The findings demonstrate that while political parties have legally implemented women-focused initiatives, gender quotas, and inclusive laws, these measures often result in descriptive rather than substantive representation. It has increased the numbers, but still, under the patriarchal attitude in decision-making and dominance, that's why, still, in a secondary role as Deputy Speaker in the parliament, even after the fresh election, the leaders are not fully accepted into the major role. However, informal norms, patronage networks, male-dominated leadership structures, and intersectional barriers related to caste, race, and class limit women's influence in crucial decision-making domains.