Rights activists protest RSP's plan to merge Women and Children Ministry

Human rights and women's activists staged a vigorous demonstration at Maitighar on Thursday to oppose a reported plan to dissolve the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens. The protest comes amid preparations by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which is poised to lead the new government, to reduce the total number of ministries as part of an administrative cost-cutting measure.

According to reports from News Agency Nepal, the RSP intends to merge the existing Women’s Ministry into the Ministry of Health and Population, rebranding the combined entity as the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Activists argue that this consolidation would dilute the focus on critical issues affecting women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, who collectively represent over half of Nepal's population.

Kamala Parajuli, Chairperson of the National Women Commission, emphasized the urgency of the protest, stating that it is harder to reverse a policy once it has been officially enacted. She warned that removing a dedicated platform for vulnerable groups—leaving only able-bodied citizens aged 18 to 49 with specialized representation elsewhere—is an "objectionable" move that undermines years of progress in the women's movement.

National Human Rights Commission member Lily Thapa highlighted a recurring pattern of targeting this particular ministry during state restructuring. She noted that while activists successfully fought to keep the ministry during the constitutional transition, many local-level women's development offices were still abolished. Thapa expressed concerns that dissolving the ministry could be a precursor to dismantling the National Women Commission itself.

Shyam Kumari Shah, President of the National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders, characterized the proposed merger as an assault on democracy and gender equality. Protesters at the site carried placards with slogans such as "Our Ministry, Our Pride" and "No Compromise on 51 Percent Rights." The activists have vowed to continue their street protests until the government provides an official guarantee that the ministry will remain independent and empowered.