Lila Nyaichai, 29, represents the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party in the Constituent Assembly. An economics and English literature graduate, she is the secretary of her party's women's wing. She believes Nepal should be a socialist republic, and that class should be the main basis of inclusion. She talks to IPS:

IPS: It has been over a year since you became a CA member.

LILA NYAICHAI: I have to admit that the constitution writing process has been very slow. Personally, though, the suggestion-collection period was very enlightening. I got to hear the voices of women and their demand for equal rights.

They spoke about mandatory and free education, availability of basic health services and employment for women. In the cities we may not think of child care centres as an important thing to mention in the constitution, but in rural Nepal, where women work all day, every day, these centres become important. I am learning new things and thinking in a different way everyday.

IPS: What kind of issues are you discussing?

LN: Women must be recognised as a vital working force that can uplift country’s economy, social development and political changes as well. The constitution must guarantee the conditions of empowerment of women.

Some of my colleagues argue that ensuring top-level positions for women will improve the condition of women automatically. I disagree with that logic because very few women in Nepal are educated and skilled.

Therefore, the state must first build a foundation for their development so that they can later compete. A merit-based system is a must otherwise we cannot have better bureaucrats, doctors, engineers, lawyers, journalists or specialists. Weak candidates as people’s representatives can lead to bureaucratic hegemony in decision-making. So we must think carefully.

IPS: What are some of the challenges you face as a woman CA member?

LN: I am sometimes taken only as a woman and not as the representative of the people.