The
Nepal Voters Right Forum (NVRF) organized a half day Policy dialogue with
parliamentarians on June 19, 2024, at the Alfa House in Kathmandu. This was the first policy dialogue facilitated
by Nepal Voters Right Forum (NVRF) within the existing electoral framework to discuss
the Integrated Election and is currently under consideration by the Ministry of
Law
The President of State Affairs and Good
Governance Committee of house of representative Honorable
Ramhari Khatiwada graced the event as a chief guest and Honorable Jiwan Pariyar
had attended as the special guest. Other notable attendees include Hon. Durga Rai,
Hon. Menuka Kumari Pokharel, Hon. Sita
Mizar, Hon. Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan, Hon.
Binita Nepal, Hon.
Padam Pariyar, Hon. Prakash Adhikari,
Hon. Harka maya B.K, Hon. Binita Singh.
The primary objective of this dialogue was to update
federal parliament members on the integrated election Bill, particularly on key
issues concerning women, Dalits and other marginalized groups. It aimed to
share insights obtained from diverse groups of stakeholders, emphasizing the
need for collective advocacy and ongoing efforts, and seek support and
solidarity from federal parliament members, especially those in the State Affairs
Committee and Dalit-supportive parliamentarians, to update and amend the draft
bill to address the concern of marginalized communities.
NVRF,
in collaboration with other NGOs and INGOs, namely International IDEA, Purple
Foundation, center of Dalit Women (CDWN), Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN), FGS Central, Nepal
Disabled Women Association (NDWA), participated in the policy dialogue along
with the NVRF’s Board members. Over 28 participants attended the event,
including parliamentarians and civil society organizations (CSOs). Among the
participants were 15 men and 14 women, comprising 12 brahmins, 5 Janjati, 9 Dalit
and 1 person with a disability.