The third general convention of Nepal Women’s Association, a sister wing of Nepali Congress, kicked off with an overwhelming participation in the Capital on Wednesday.

Over 3,000 people filled the Bhrikutimandap, with several NC leaders, central committee members and lawmakers also present.

The NWA, which is holding its conclave after more than a decade, has about 2,300 elected representatives from 75 districts. Late Tuesday evening, the establishment faction, after an agreement with Krishna Prasad Sitaula’s group, announced Uma Adhikari Regmi as its official president candidate.

The Ram Chandra Poudel-led faction has fielded Mina Pandey in the NWA presidential race.

The other panel candidates from both factions were not decided until late afternoon.

Addressing the inauguration  session of the convention, most NC leaders remembered late Mangala Devi Singh, a pioneer feminist and prominent democratic activist, who was the first president of the NWA, which was formed about 69 years ago.

Outgoing NWA President Dila Sangraula termed the 21st century as the women’s century. She expressed hope that the association will continue with its movement towards women empowerment in the future.

Sangraula also urged senior leaders to ensure at least 50 percent seats for women in all state organs.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi recalled how late statesman BP Koirala had a vision for modern democracy with women on equal footing as their male counterparts.

“The fact that he saw women as a symbol of modern democracy tells how much importance the party has given to the development of women over the years,” he said. “The development of our society depends on the empowerment of women.”

Former NC general secretary Prakash Man Singh underscored the importance of holding timely polls of the party’s sister wings to strengthen the party as an organisation.

Recalling how his mother, Mangala Devi, raised her voice in favour of women

during the Rana regime when all rights of the people were curtailed, he said: “When my parents got invitations as Mr and Mrs Ganesh Man Singh, my mother would just not attend them. She always stressed that she be identified as Mangala Devi, and not as the wife of Ganesh Man. She always sought her own identity.”