To encourage more women participation in politics, “La, Aum Lyonchhen” a media advocacy campaign was launched in the capital today. “La, Aum Lyonchhen” project is a continuation of an initiative, Inspiring Bhutanese Women to lead, which won the UNDP human development fellowship award 2010.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck launched the media advocacy campaign. The advocacy was organised by the KCD Productions, with financial assistance from the Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy.
Speaking at the Launch, the Chief Election Commissioner, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, said women are generally more committed to overall well-being than men. And women devote more care and dedication to all causes. He added that if more women take up leadership roles, the progress of nation building would be much easier.
“I dare you, all accomplished Bhutanese women, to stop highlighting stereo-typical arguments on what has been in the past rather embody and demonstrate the present potential and be forward looking, deriving moral strength from the values enshrined in our constitution and legal power from the laws made there under,” said Dasho Kunzang Wangdi.
He also encouraged women to voluntarily take the lead to reform, change or undertake a path- breaking course of action.
The Director of the KCD Productions, Kesang Chuki Dorji, said ‘La Aum Lyonchhen’ project aims to encourage and create more conducive environment for women candidates who plan to contest for the upcoming elections. It is also to educate and counter the traditional views that women are primarily responsible for domestic chores.
At the launch, a documentary film “La Aum Lyonchhen: lessons from Denmark” was also screened. The documentary features the challenges faced by two of the women members of the Parliament, MP Sangay Zam and MP Karma Lhamo, while drawing lessons from Denmark.
The advocacy campaigns, like radio drama series, TV Public Service Announcements, and MTV will be aired on BBS TV, Radio and Kuzoo FM.
The number of Bhutanese women participating in politics has been negligible. Currently, the parliament has only 10 women members against 62 men. The situation is no better in local government, with only about 100 women representatives out of more than 1000 male.
