24 February 2026
Butwal — Representatives of major political parties have expressed their commitment to addressing the issues of Dalit women and marginalized communities and ensuring their effective implementation. The commitment was expressed during an interaction program titled “Issues and Commitments of Dalit Women and Marginalized Communities in Political Party Manifestos,” organized by Jagaran Media Center in Butwal on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, Binod Pahadi, a Constituent Assembly member, said that although the Constitution guarantees equal rights for Dalits, women, and marginalized communities, these rights have not yet been fully implemented in practice. He stressed that political parties must translate their electoral commitments into real action rather than limiting them to written manifestos.
“The Constitution is founded on inclusiveness, proportional representation, and social justice, but Dalit women and marginalized communities are still deprived of opportunities,” he said. “Only when political parties prioritize the implementation of their manifesto commitments will public trust in the state be strengthened.”
Similarly, Ekaraj Bishwokarma, a leader of CPN-UML, stated that his party’s manifesto prioritizes the empowerment of Dalits, women, and marginalized communities. He highlighted programs focused on education, employment, skill development, political participation, and social dignity, and reiterated the party’s commitment to ensuring their participation and leadership at all levels of the state.
Kajiman Shrestha, a Lumbini Province member of the Nepali Congress, acknowledged that expected progress had not been achieved in addressing the concerns of Dalits and marginalized communities in the past. He expressed commitment to correcting past shortcomings and advancing concrete plans and programs to bring Dalit women and marginalized communities into the mainstream, emphasizing education, employment, and leadership development as key priorities.
Likewise, Deepa BK, a founding member of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly, drew attention to the double discrimination faced by Dalit women due to both caste and gender. She emphasized the need for special policies and programs for their empowerment and noted that meaningful change in their lives would only be possible through the implementation of manifesto commitments.
During the program, journalist Binod Pariyar presented a working paper on the inclusion of Dalit women and marginalized communities’ issues in political party manifestos.
Other speakers, including Sujit BK, Rabi BK, Nirdosh Ali, Mira KC, Tilottama Municipality Executive Member Rabi Century, INSEC representative Rima BC, and journalist Phoolmaya Sunar, stated that although party manifestos appear positive, strong political will, continuity, and accountability are essential for their effective implementation.
The program, chaired by Joglal Nepali, Secretary General of Jagaran Media Center, concluded that only through the practical implementation of manifesto commitments can genuine empowerment of Dalit women and marginalized communities be achieved.
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