1. The Condition of Women in Nepal
1.1 Background
85 percent of the population of Nepal still lives in rural areas, but agriculture based on traditional methods does not provide sufficient produce to sustain the rural economy. Around 78 percent of families own land but on average each family owns only about 0.8 hectares of fertile land. 32 percent of the population falls below the poverty line. These families own about 0.2 hectares of land each but their population growth rate is almost double that of the others. There is a huge economic disparity in Nepal as the average annual income of the poorest 20 percent of people is Rs[i] 4,003 while the average annual income of the richest 20 percent is Rs 40,486.
1.1 Background
85 percent of the population of Nepal still lives in rural areas, but agriculture based on traditional methods does not provide sufficient produce to sustain the rural economy. Around 78 percent of families own land but on average each family owns only about 0.8 hectares of fertile land. 32 percent of the population falls below the poverty line. These families own about 0.2 hectares of land each but their population growth rate is almost double that of the others. There is a huge economic disparity in Nepal as the average annual income of the poorest 20 percent of people is Rs[i] 4,003 while the average annual income of the richest 20 percent is Rs 40,486.
Adult literacy rate is 48 percent; the female adult literacy rate is only 34 percent. Only 20 percent of women are able to deliver babies with the help of trained midwives. More than 10 percent of women suffer from malnutrition. The discriminatory caste system is another obstacle on the path of social development.
Superstitions and social malpractices that occur in rural areas such as accusations of witchcraft do more injustice to women. Governmental and non-governmental organizations have been making efforts to end these practices but they continue. On a more positive note, power has been decentralized to encourage development at the local level.
The central government has devised primary level development plans, the main aim of the 10th plan being to reduce the number of poor. Based on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)[ii], the government has set certain targets to be met by 2015, and designed programs of social inclusion and positive discrimination to achieve them. Literacy and health improvement programs have also been designed for the general people.
The central government has devised primary level development plans, the main aim of the 10th plan being to reduce the number of poor. Based on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)[ii], the government has set certain targets to be met by 2015, and designed programs of social inclusion and positive discrimination to achieve them. Literacy and health improvement programs have also been designed for the general people.
Positive discrimination programs include compulsory hiring of female teachers in schools, scholarship programs for the scheduled castes and eradication of child labor. Efforts have been made to provide medicines, preventive injections, polio drops and Vitamin A to 100 percent of Nepalese children. However, the decade-long war and political instability in the country have hindered such steps. Women have been greatly affected. The fear of war, of losing life and family, caused many to flee from villages and thus created a situation of chaos.
1.2 Women in Conflict
Although the decade-long conflict adversely affected women, it had positive outcomes as well. The age-old authoritarian rule came to an end and democracy empowered women to participate in politics. Women no longer tolerate discrimination. However, war always has more negative than positive outcomes.
Although the decade-long conflict adversely affected women, it had positive outcomes as well. The age-old authoritarian rule came to an end and democracy empowered women to participate in politics. Women no longer tolerate discrimination. However, war always has more negative than positive outcomes.
According to statistics from the human rights NGO, Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC)[iii], 13,284 lives were lost from 13 February 1996 to 31 December 2006[iv]. Among them 1013 were women, 820 killed by the State and 193 by the Maoists. Although male deaths outnumbered female deaths, women, who lost an earning husband or other male family member, were victimized by having to take on their responsibilities.
A total of 379 people from ordinary agricultural families were killed in 2005. Among them, 59 were women. Out of 927 farmers abducted in 2005, 113 were women. According to World Vision[v], 600 women were sexually exploited during the decade long insurgency by security personnel in Jumla district.
Women have been affected by the conflict, be it from the State or the Maoists. Mothers with sons recruited into the police had them die in far-off villages; so had mothers with sons who fought for the insurgents. Women in difficult situations, such as sick and pregnant women, had to flee their villages because of the conflict. Many lost their husbands, children or parents in the war. Many such displaced women are working as domestic helpers in the capital Kathmandu now.
1.3 The pain of domestic violence
Nepalese society being patriarchal, major family decisions are usually taken by the male members. Women usually do not have legal rights to property and have less chance of inheriting patriarchal property. They are also deprived of job opportunities. Some women have to silently bear domestic violence because they are financially dependent on their husbands and have nowhere else to go. They are still discriminated against in society due to the lack of females at the policy-making level.
These women are victimized by cruel husbands and their families usually because of disputes over dowry polygamy. Some are accused of being witches and are severely beaten. According to the Human Rights Year Book 2006, there were 395 cases of human rights violation in 2005, which includes abortion, rape, beating, trafficking, accusation of witchcraft, polygamy, sexual abuse and domestic violence.[vi] Due to such discrimination in society, women’s voices are not heard in all sectors. Though there are legal provisions recognizing women’s rights, women, particularly in rural areas, are still deprived of those rights.
1.4 Girl Trafficking
Turning the pages of history, it is evident that girl trafficking in Nepal started from the Rana regime. Rana rulers kept women in their palaces as mistresses. That tradition remains until today with women being bought and sold for money like animals. The victims of trafficking are usually poor, illiterate or indigenous women.
Nepal outlawed human trafficking 20 years ago. However, statistics show that more than 300,000 Nepali women are involved in prostitution in India and Gulf countries and that more than 7,000 women are trafficked to other countries each year.
Human trafficking has increased because of the insurgency. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations have been working to empower victimized women, but preventing the crime from happening is the bigger challenge. One bright side of the Maoist insurgency was that due to the recruitment of women into the revolutionary army, girl trafficking was largely controlled in the western hills of Nepal.
1.5 Dalit and other marginalized women
Untouchability was abolished in Nepal long ago but still in the 21st century, Dalits have been victims of untouchability. Even the elites working in governmental and non-governmental organizations who preach about the freedom of Dalits do not practice it themselves in their personal lives. Dalit women who manage to get vocational training find it impossible to practice their skills because they are not offered jobs.
If a Dalit sets up a restaurant, he will not find customers to drink even a cup of tea. According to a publication of Action Aid, Ethnic Untouchability in Nepal and the Strategic Campaign to eradicate it[vii], there are 205 types of discriminations practiced against Dalits. The condition of Dalit women is worse. The condition of women physically impaired by war or by birth is frightening.
1.6 The after-effects of war
According to a research conducted by the chairperson of the SAMANTA Institute, Dr. Arju Rana Deuba, the major negative economic impacts of war on rural women were: lack of investment opportunities; desperation to use savings; no income sources; and loss of land and wealth. The study shows that the biggest psychological impact of the war fell on the children of affected families. Children who lost parents during the war live in fear, lose interest in studies, lose mental balance and their future becomes dark.
Husbands were killed, abducted, ran away for safety or left home in search of work, so their wives had to take on the responsibility of earning for the family. They also had to juggle the added responsibilities of providing security for their family, helping elderly parents, participating in development activities and so on.
1.3 The pain of domestic violence
Nepalese society being patriarchal, major family decisions are usually taken by the male members. Women usually do not have legal rights to property and have less chance of inheriting patriarchal property. They are also deprived of job opportunities. Some women have to silently bear domestic violence because they are financially dependent on their husbands and have nowhere else to go. They are still discriminated against in society due to the lack of females at the policy-making level.
These women are victimized by cruel husbands and their families usually because of disputes over dowry polygamy. Some are accused of being witches and are severely beaten. According to the Human Rights Year Book 2006, there were 395 cases of human rights violation in 2005, which includes abortion, rape, beating, trafficking, accusation of witchcraft, polygamy, sexual abuse and domestic violence.[vi] Due to such discrimination in society, women’s voices are not heard in all sectors. Though there are legal provisions recognizing women’s rights, women, particularly in rural areas, are still deprived of those rights.
1.4 Girl Trafficking
Turning the pages of history, it is evident that girl trafficking in Nepal started from the Rana regime. Rana rulers kept women in their palaces as mistresses. That tradition remains until today with women being bought and sold for money like animals. The victims of trafficking are usually poor, illiterate or indigenous women.
Nepal outlawed human trafficking 20 years ago. However, statistics show that more than 300,000 Nepali women are involved in prostitution in India and Gulf countries and that more than 7,000 women are trafficked to other countries each year.
Human trafficking has increased because of the insurgency. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations have been working to empower victimized women, but preventing the crime from happening is the bigger challenge. One bright side of the Maoist insurgency was that due to the recruitment of women into the revolutionary army, girl trafficking was largely controlled in the western hills of Nepal.
1.5 Dalit and other marginalized women
Untouchability was abolished in Nepal long ago but still in the 21st century, Dalits have been victims of untouchability. Even the elites working in governmental and non-governmental organizations who preach about the freedom of Dalits do not practice it themselves in their personal lives. Dalit women who manage to get vocational training find it impossible to practice their skills because they are not offered jobs.
If a Dalit sets up a restaurant, he will not find customers to drink even a cup of tea. According to a publication of Action Aid, Ethnic Untouchability in Nepal and the Strategic Campaign to eradicate it[vii], there are 205 types of discriminations practiced against Dalits. The condition of Dalit women is worse. The condition of women physically impaired by war or by birth is frightening.
1.6 The after-effects of war
According to a research conducted by the chairperson of the SAMANTA Institute, Dr. Arju Rana Deuba, the major negative economic impacts of war on rural women were: lack of investment opportunities; desperation to use savings; no income sources; and loss of land and wealth. The study shows that the biggest psychological impact of the war fell on the children of affected families. Children who lost parents during the war live in fear, lose interest in studies, lose mental balance and their future becomes dark.
Husbands were killed, abducted, ran away for safety or left home in search of work, so their wives had to take on the responsibility of earning for the family. They also had to juggle the added responsibilities of providing security for their family, helping elderly parents, participating in development activities and so on.
[i] Rs (or NRs) is short for rupees, the national currency of Nepal. 1 USD is around 77 NRs. Live rates are available at www.xe.com.
[ii] More on MDG on http://www.undp.org/ mdg
[iii] http://www.inseconline.org/
[iv] INSEC. 2007. Human Rights Year Book 2007. p10.
[v] http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/learn/world-vision-nepal
[vi] INSEC. 2006. Human Rights Year Book 2006. p334.
[vii] Literal translation of the title of the book, originally in Nepali