Kathmandu, Dec. 11 -- Krishni Tharu is a parliament deputy speaker of Province-5. And a former kamalari slave. After she was freed, she launched a campaign against the kamalari system, which essentially catapulted her to the position of a lawmaker.

The constitution states that people of two different genders should be nominated the speaker and deputy speaker of the house of parliament, and then a deputy speaker.

"The constitution guaranteed us the rights, but deprived us of responsibility," she said. "All the responsibility of the house is centred on the speaker. The deputy is little more than a namesake."

Tharu said that while the state has granted women the positions of power, it is not enough. "We should also be given tasks that hel...