Butwal, Nov. 4 -- Women leaders in Butwal say gender-based discrimination is rife in politics. Women representing various parties across the political spectrum echoed the sentiment during a women-centric conference-Aguwa Mahila Bhela (or Conference of Leading Women)-that took place in Butwal on Saturday.

One of the speakers at the conference, Radha Kumari Gyawali, who is a lawmaker and the central committee member of the Nepal Communist Party, said women are discriminated against by the proponents of patriarchy.

"Many male leaders find it hard to accept us as leaders and refuse to provide us with leadership opportunities," Gyawali said. "This has created a severe impact on individuals, family, society, party and the state."

Stressing o...