Kathmandu, Mar 09: Warning that excluding women from peace talks would have detrimental effects on long-term sustainability of its solution, United Nations asked Nepal to include them in the ongoing dialogue between the government and Maoists. Women should be included in the negotiations because their experiences, values and priorities bring a perspective that is valuable to both process and outcome, said Henning Karcher, the United Nations resident representative to Nepal.
Women bring to peace talks a practical understanding of real life security concerns and their commitment to peace is often critical to ensure the sustainability of peace agreement, said Karcher addressing a programme held in Kathmandu today to mark the 93rd International Women's Day. Exclusion of women from the negotiations would have negative effects, he said.
The Maoists and the government agreed to a ceasefire in January to end the seven-year-long insurgency and are finalising codes of conduct to initiate peace talks.
Meanwhile, minister for physical planning and construction Narayan Singh Pun, government's talks coordinator, said the codes of conduct will be finalised by Wednesday, reports the rising Nepal. The government is committed to make the peace process a success, he said today. The government also decided to feed the Maoist cadres in the remote areas facing food scarcity. It has procured 15,000 tonnes of foodgrains to feed the guerillas, pun said, reports The Kathmandu Post.
The food supply has been arranged after taking into consideration the humanitarian view point, pun said.
Bureau Report