Reading 'Landing' (#302) I couldn't but help marvel at the umerous and gigantic steps that the leaders of the seven party alliance and the Maoist leadership have accomplished in just one day. What we are witnessing in Nepal these days, weeks and months is truly revolutionary, inspiring and very unique. But where are the women of Nepal? The intellectuals, writers, politicians, fighters, teachers, parliamentarians, doctors and nurses, mothers, midwives, grandmothers and even mothers-in-law. Where are all our didis and bahinis when the country's future is being redesigned, reinvented and rewritten? Are they not going to be allowed a say in this new Nepal? The eight-point agreement supports 'restructuring the state in a progressive manner through constituent assembly elections so that it can resolve all problems including those related to class, caste, region and gender'. What are they waiting for? Where are the women on the government and Maoist negotiating teams? Where are they in the leadership of the seven parties? Where are they in the government's cabinet? Where are they in the 31 member Ceasefire and Code of Conduct National Monitoring Committee (yes, there is one, but really, one out of 31?). And where are they in the six-member interim constitution drafting committee?

Julia Sanchez,
Kathmandu