Cross-party women leaders have stressed on the need for new policies to get more women from Madhes into politics and incorporate them in decision making positions.

Speaking at a programme on Monday, female leaders said a massive grassroots grooming could help Madhesi women break the conventional gender bias that has stood in the way of their acquiring roles in decision making positions.

“There are many obstacles facing women from Madhesi community to joining politics. Even the affirmative actions like one-third reservation for women has not been able to benefit Madhesi women,” said Karima Begam, former lawmaker of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Loktantrik).

Prativa Rana, central committee member of the Rastriya Prajantra party (RPP), said if properly implemented the provisions in the constitution could go a long way in boosting the leadership qualities and inclusion of women in all state mechanisms.

“Implementation of the rights ensured by the constitution will definitely improve the status of women from Madhes,” Rana said.

“Introduction of special policies targeted for Madhesi women will also see more women representation from the region in decision making levels,” she added.

Speaking on the occasion, Pramila Gachhadar of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum said that only a huge campaign at grassroots level advocating the need of women in politics and awareness programme on women empowerment could bring about a positive change.