Janakpur, March 14 -- Madheshi women rarely contested direct elections, despite the constitutional guarantee of 33 percent women representation in Parliament. Political parties have often fielded them in highly competitive constituencies or placed them on the proportional representation list.

In this light, contesting direct elections itself is an act of courage for Madhesi women. Election presents them with both challenges and opportunities.

However, the recently concluded parliamentary election was a different case. Three Madheshi women candidates from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have secured victories by wide margins in the polls.

Asha Jha emerged victorious from Morang-5, while Pushpa Kumari Chaudhary won from Saptari-1 and ...