The common forum for the National Council elections in Zhemgang is seeing an impressive number of women attendees this time compared to the past elections. The election officials in the district attribute this positive trend to women becoming more aware of the significance of such forums.
More women can be seen attending both the Gewog Dhamngoi Dzomdu and the common forum in almost every gewog in Zhemgang. The common forum for the NC election in the district began last month.
Kikhar, one of the villages in Nangkor Gewog saw the maximum number of women turnout at the common forum. Close to 60 women attended the forum with only eight men.
“In our village, the maximum number of attendees at the meetings are women and only a few men come to attend the meetings in the absence of their spouses. Men are unable to attend the meetings as they have to do farm work. It is convenient for women who are mostly housewives to attend the meetings,” said Leki Zangmo, a resident.
“We can see more women attending meetings. This could be because women feel empowered and seem to be grabbing any opportunity that comes their way be it attending such meetings. Women are capable to attend meetings and moreover, men are kept busy with farm work,” said Sonam Choden, another resident.
A few men of Kikhar village said this is an encouraging sign to counter the chronic issue of women’s underrepresentation in decision-making and to promote women’s empowerment in the election process. They said recognizing the role of women in decision-making is important to actively push for more women participation in the near future.
“When I was young, I remember men used to decide and attend meetings. However, in recent times, more women seem to come forward to take part in important activities such as planning and in meetings in the village. Of course, when it comes to important meetings, it is the men who decide,” said Rinzin Dorji, a resident.
Zhemgang has nominated five candidates to contest the National Council election this time. Going by the number of attendees at the common forums, women are likely to decide who will represent the district in the National Council.
Meanwhile, of the more than 20,500 eligible voters, over 10,400 are female.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Phub Gyem
