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TAM members talk peace process with women, Dalit and indigenous communities

The Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) of the United Nations met with representatives of women organizations, Dalits and indigenous communities to discuss their specific concerns and needs related with the ongoing peace process.

The TAM, which is currently in Nepal to make preliminary assessment regarding technical and logistical needs of the UN monitors who will arrive here soon, held meetings with civil society representatives in Kathmandu, to discuss planning for the future UN peace support mission in Nepal, according to a press release issued by TAM spokesperson Kieran Dwyer this evening.

During the meeting, the women representatives raised the issue of lack of women involvement in the peace process. They "highlighted a number of issues, including the need for women to be represented in decision-making bodies involved in the peace process at all levels of society; the issues of cantonment management and the needs of women combatants in the People's Liberation Army; the prevalence of violence against women in the post conflict environment, especially in rural areas, and the need for women to have better protection by the criminal justice system; and the particular problems of exclusion faced by women from communities such as Dalit and indigenous communities."

Likewise, the TAM members also discussed about the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which sets out the principles for women's participation and representation in peace building activities, as well as requirements for developing measures to address the needs of women and girls in all aspects of reintegration, rehabilitation and post conflict reconstruction.

Members of the TAM also met with civil society representatives from a range of communities, including representatives from Dalit organizations and other discriminated against caste groups, Madhesis and indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and sexual and gender minorities.

"Civil society representatives highlighted the need for an election process, and a wider peace process, where Nepalis of all backgrounds are able to participate equally," the press release adds.

"The UN TAM informed civil society representatives of the three areas which the UN has been asked to assist the peace process, namely the monitoring of arms and armies, electoral assistance and human rights monitoring."

Meanwhile, the press release adds that in the past two days the TAM teams have returned from visits to the cantonment site in Surkhet, in the Mid-Western Region, and from a visit to the Eastern Region where meetings were conducted with authorities and local CPN-Maoist cadres at a cantonment site. nepalnews.com sd Dec 14 06