115th International Women's Day Being Celebrated

115th International Women's Day Being Celebrated Though Nepal’s Constitution mandates women hold one-third positions in political institutions, the male-dominated party leadership has relegated women's participation to tokenism

A rally organized by the Municipal-Level Gender-Based Violence Monitoring Network, Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, Banke, on the occasion of the 115th International Women's Day in Nepalgunj on Saturday. Photo: RSS

08 March 2025

The 115th International Women's Day is being celebrated on Saturday, March 8, with various programs aimed at promoting women’s empowerment, gender equality, and the eradication of violence against women.

Observed annually, the day commemorates the long-standing struggle for women's rights and well-being, and celebrates the economic, political, and social achievements of women across various sectors worldwide. On March 8, 1908, over 15,000 women in New York City, United States marched to demand shorter working hours, better pay, and voting rights.

The United Nations first observed International Women's Day in 1975. This year, it is being celebrated under the theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment.”

According to the state-owned news agency, RSS, women make up nearly 28% of employees in Nepal’s civil service. In politics, they constitute 34% of lawmakers in the federal parliament, 36.5% in provincial assemblies, and 41.1% at the local level.

Though Nepal’s Constitution mandates women hold one-third positions in political institutions, the male-dominated party leadership has relegated women's participation to tokenism. Nepali women remain largely excluded from positions of real power.

On Saturday, President Ram Chandra Poudel, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire, and National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal among others extended their best wishes to all women and girls through official statements.

“Equal access to education, healthcare, employment, policy-making, and leadership roles is crucial to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment,” read President Poudel’s message.

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The United Nations first observed International Women's Day in 1975. This year, it is being celebrated under the theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment.”

“Equal access to education, healthcare, employment, policy-making, and leadership roles is crucial to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment,” read President Poudel’s message.