Women's rights in Nepal

Last updated

Nepal, a Himalayan country situated in South Asia, is one of the poor country because of undeveloped resources . It has suffered from political instability and has had undemocratic rule for much of its history. There is a lack of access to basic facilities, people have superstitious beliefs, and there are high levels of gender discrimination. Although the Constitution provides for protection of women, including equal pay for equal work, the Government has not taken significant action to implement its provisions.

Contents


History

One of the first forms of discrimination against women in Nepal began with the practice of Sati, which was eradicated by Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher, though even after that the patriarchal situation continued, with women receiving limited access to resources and opportunity. Few of the major issues faced by women were Gender Based Violence, Child marriage, trafficking of women, transitional justice, unequal representation and participation of women in decision making. [1]

Literacy rates in Nepal still remain low, at 52.74% (CBS, 2001). Despite improvement in recent years, the disparity in literacy rates between men and women still remains. In 2001, the rate of literacy for females stood at 42.49%. The low rate of literacy for women can be attributed to the discrimination they face at home.

Females face gender-based violence and this greatly limits their ability to attend school or receive proper education. Furthermore, religion restricts the opportunities for women to receive education. For example, the majority of the female Muslim population in Nepal is still deprived of basic education, with only 20% having had any level of education. [2]

The percentage of women from rural areas who have never attended school: 51.1% (CBS, 2008) as compared to the percentage of women from urban areas who have never attended school is 25% (CBS, 2008). This is reflected in the disparity in literacy rates, between women in rural areas, 36.5%, and those in urban areas, 61.5%. Literacy rates in rural areas are almost half that in urban areas. Although overall female participation in the workforce has increased, the majority of employed women are still heavily concentrated in the low-wage and more labor-intensive industries. Formal sector female participation is 6%. According to the 2008 report from CBS, there were 155 000 male professionals, but only 48 000 female professionals, about 31% of female professionals. This is in stark contrast to female participation in the subsistence agricultural sector, with female participation almost 160% that of male participation. [3]

Due to the growing inequality and violence against women, free legal aid was made available by the government of Nepal through the enactment of Legal Aid Act 1997, though the majority target groups of women, children and disenfranchised are unable to access it. [4] Women's rights were only taken seriously once Nepal was under democratic rule post 1990, and a constitution was formed stating equality between men and women as a fundamental right. The newly elected democratic government ratified numerous laws and international treaties specific to women, and The Nepal Treaty Act 1990 ensured that international human rights provisions will be given preference in case of conflict with domestic laws. [5] The laws enforced in 1990 were only finally enacted in 2006, and since the 1990s, Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was one of the key tools used by women to voice their opinions and enactment of women's rights. [4]

The 1990s saw substantial changes in laws within Nepal, which facilitated the interest and formation of NGOs, both as recipients of these programs and as staff members of the NGOS. This began the movement of women empowerment and mobilization of women's NGOs. [6]

Due to ongoing violence and discrimination against women, United Nation's recommendations of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review to Government of Nepal, March 2011 included guaranteeing full right to equality and non-discrimination between men and women in line with the international standards (with that of Italy) [7] Furthermore, CEDAW Committee's Concluding Observations and Recommendations to Government of Nepal, August 2011 included introducing monitoring mechanisms for better implementation of laws and plans pertaining to equality and development of gender disparity indicators. [7]

Access to health services

Health services in Nepal are inadequate and insufficient and are thus reflected in the low health status of Nepalese in relation to the rest of the Southeast Asian region. The most common illnesses that females at reproductive age face are anemia and malnutrition, due to the discrimination faced in childhood and while growing up. As females, especially girls, are considered to be of the lowest status in the household, they are often the last to eat and thus do not receive the proper nutrition required. Almost 70% of females who have reached puberty suffer from these common illnesses. Also, many women often delay seeking medical help out of fear.

The maternal mortality ratio in Nepal, stands at 380 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births in 2008, according to estimates by the WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA/The World Bank. Although there has been a significant decrease as compared to the ratio of 539 per 100 000 live births in 2003, the ratio is still one of the highest in the world. Because of the inadequate provision of healthcare for pregnant mothers, they are more susceptible to death during the course of pregnancy and during labor itself. According to the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2001, about 10% of all births are carried out in the presence of a qualified doctor or medical staff. [8] This reflects the prevalence of home births, around 81% of all births, in Nepalese society. Due to the cultural beliefs, women are generally reluctant to allow any outsiders to be present or attend to the birth. Geography has also greatly limited the availability of health services especially those in rural and mountainous regions. Even though there has been much road development in recent years, females are less impacted by it, as they remain infrequent road users. [3]

On September 23, 2021, a group of 20-25 youth staged a protest in Kathmandu to pressure the government to remove or reduce the current tax on feminine hygiene products. There is currently a 15% customs duty, 13% Value Added Tax (VAT), and an additional 1.5% VAT on customs duty that are charged while importing the products. Sanitary pads do not fall under the list of essential items—which includes medicines, medical supplies, contraceptives, and condoms—that are exempt from VAT. Feminine hygiene products are instead taxed as luxury items, making them unaffordable for many women in Nepal. [9]

Restrictions to travel

Several laws have restricted Nepali's women to travel and work abroad. In 2012 the government banned women under 30 from working in Gulf states, although the age threshold and geographical scope of the ban has changed. Meanwhile, Nepali women have been trafficked to other countries without much government intervention while the government restricts them from seeking employment abroad. [10]

Gender-based violence against women

Gender-based violence (GBV) towards women is a severe issue in Nepal where its women often find themselves susceptible to both public and domestic violence which constitutes rape, sexual abuse in the workplace and at home, and human trafficking. There is a persistence of harmful traditional practices deemed life-threatening such as Deuki (act of offering young girls to Hindu temples to live without proper care or education) and Chhaupadi (menstruating women are kept in a shed away from the home to live under harsh conditions). [11] Based on the study by United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) entitled Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women in Nepal, abused women are more inclined to suffer from depression, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, sexual dysfunction and various reproductive health problems.

In the Nepal Human Rights Yearbook 2012 by Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC), a study of all 75 districts across the country returned results of 648 women as victims of violence in 2011. In addition, the number of girls under the age of 18 who were affected stands at 379. [12]

The proportion of Nepali women who have been subjected to domestic violence are estimated at 60 to 70 per cent. Gender-based violence is worse in rural communities where an estimated 81 per cent of women experience recurring domestic violence. These incidences[ spelling? ] include physical abuse by husbands, polygamy, dowry-related murders, and physical and psychological harassment by household members. In 2021, 2022 and 2023, Ruby Khan led a march from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu, followed by subsequent sit-in protests, to bring attention to the disappearance and murders of women in rural Banke District. [13]

Reasons for gender-based violence in Nepal are largely attributed to social taboos and superstitions associated with women and deeply entrenched beliefs that propagate derogatory attitudes toward female such as Chhori ko janma hare ko karma ("A daughter is born with a doomed fate"). Likewise, results derived from INSEC's monitoring of the situation indicated that subjecting women to domestic violence was considered a deep-rooted traditional practice. Survey results also show that 20 and 23 per cent of men and women in Nepal view domestic violence as being acceptable.

Despite efforts of various human rights and women's rights NGOs, together with international aid agencies, to lobby for the elimination of domestic violence through implementation of more effective measures, the "Domestic Violence (Crime and Punishment)" bill introduced in 2002 is at a standstill. Complaints by women's rights activists are directed towards the lackadaisical efforts of the law enforcement agencies in which disputes are settled without any charges pressed against the perpetrators. This is reflected in a statement by activist and former National Women's Commission chairperson Bandana Rana, "Often, police and local people try to settle the domestic dispute by pressing the women into accepting their 'fate' as the society is still dominated by Hindu patriarchy with its own set of strict codes—many of which are in conflict with basic rights for women".

In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Human Rights Watch reported that social media groups are abusing Nepali women and girls online. The rights group said that offenders are using intimate photos usually obtained from victims' social media accounts and also using hacking, coercion, or blackmail as a method. The impact of such incidents harms their mental health, reputations, relationships, and access to education and employment, the report added. [14]

National and International NGOs in Nepal for Women Empowerment and Gender Inequality

See also

Related Research Articles

Gender equality, also known as sexual equality or equality of the sexes, is the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making; and the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations and needs equally, regardless of gender.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Conference on Women, 1995</span> United Nations conference

The Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace was the name given for a conference convened by the United Nations during 4–15 September 1995 in Beijing, China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human rights in Nepal</span> Overview of the observance of human rights in Nepal

In 2022, Freedom House rated Nepal’s human rights at 57 out 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Nepal</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Nepal have evolved significantly during the 21st century, though barriers to full equality still exist within the nation. In 2007, Nepal repealed the laws against gay sex and introduced several laws which explicitly protected "gender and sexual minorities". The Nepalese Constitution now recognizes LGBT rights as fundamental rights. On 28 June 2023, a single judge bench of Justice Til Prasad Shrestha issued a historic interim order directing the government to make necessary arrangements to "temporarily register" the marriages of "non-traditional couples and sexual minorities". The full bench of the Supreme Court has yet to deliver a final verdict. The first queer marriage of a trans woman and a cisgender man occurred in November 2023. Nepal will be the first least developed country and the first in South Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and the second in Asia after Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in Nepal</span> Overview of the status of women in Nepal

The status of women in Nepal has varied throughout history. In the early 1990s, like in some other Asian countries, women in Nepal were generally subordinate to men in virtually every aspect of life. Historically, Nepal has been a predominantly patriarchal society where women are generally subordinate to men. Men were considered to be the leader of the family and superior to women. Also, social norms and values were biased in favor of men. This strong bias in favor of sons in society meant that daughters were discriminated against from birth and did not have equal opportunities to achieve all aspects of development. Daughters were deprived of many privileges, including rights, education, healthcare, parental property rights, social status, last rites of dead parents, and were thought to be other's property and liabilities. In the past century, there has been a dramatic positive change in the role and status of women in Nepal, reducing gender inequality. While the 1990 Constitution guaranteed fundamental rights to all citizens without discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, caste, religion, or sex, the modernization of society, along with increased education of the general population, have also played an important role in promoting gender equality. The roles of women have changed in various ways in the modern Nepalese society.

Gender inequality in India refers to health, education, economic and political inequalities between men and women in India. Various international gender inequality indices rank India differently on each of these factors, as well as on a composite basis, and these indices are controversial.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arzu Rana Deuba</span> Nepali politician (born 1962)

Arzu Rana Deuba is a Nepali social worker, psychologist and politician, currently serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Nepali Congress Party of Nepal. She won by 22,000 votes in the proportional list. This is her third tenure in the Parliament. She serves as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources since August 2023. https://hr.parliament.gov.np/np/committees/Agriculture-Cooperative-And-Natural-Resources-Committee

Women in Cambodia, due to the influence of the dominant Khmer culture, are traditionally expected to be modest and soft-spoken. They are to be well-mannered, industrious, and hold a sense of belonging to the household. It is expected that they act as the family's caregivers and caretakers, financial administrators, and serve as the "preserver of the home". As financial administrators, women can be identified as having household authority at the familial level. Khmer women are expected to maintain virginity until marriage, become faithful wives, and act as advisors to their husbands. Women in Cambodia have also be known as “light” walkers-- "light" walking and refinement of the Khmer women is further described as being "quiet in […] movements that one cannot hear the sound of their silk skirt rustling".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gender inequality in El Salvador</span>

Gender inequality can be found in various areas of Salvadoran life such as employment, health, education, political participation, and family life. Although women in El Salvador enjoy equal protection under the law, they are often at a disadvantage relative to their male counterparts. In the area of politics, women have the same rights as men, but the percentage of women in office compared to men is low. Though much progress has been made since the Salvadoran Civil War ended in 1992, women in El Salvador still face gender inequality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in Benin</span>

Women in Benin have gained more rights since the restoration of democracy and the ratification of the Constitution, and the passage of the Personal and Family Code in 2004. These both overrode various traditional customs that systematically treated women unequally. Still, inequality and discrimination persist. "Girls from the age of five or so are actively involved in housekeeping, sibling care, and agriculture." Society could think about of a woman's role are a housemaid, caretaker, or babysitter. A woman's role is to be a housemaker and nothing at all, but women have much potential to be more than a housemaker. With laws taking charge of what a woman can be as a career of how they are being useful more in the house than in a men's job position. Moreover, these rules apply to women by their gender that has not changed for a while. And there has been inequality based on being the opposite gender which these rules should immediately change if the society wants to get better to have equality for the female race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ABC Nepal</span>

Agroforestry, Basic Health, and Cooperative Nepal is a nonprofit, non governmental organisation working in Nepal that focuses on women's rights and works against human trafficking in Nepal. Created in 1987, ABC Nepal was among the first Non Governmental Organisations established in Nepal. It was registered soon after the introduction of Nepalese multiparty democracy in 1991. The president of the organisation is Durga Ghimire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women's political participation in India</span>

The term 'political participation' has a very wide meaning. It is not only related to 'Right to Vote', but simultaneously relates to participation in: decision-making process, political activism, political consciousness, etc. Women in India participate in voting, run for public offices and political parties at lower levels more than men. Political activism and voting are the strongest areas of women's political participation. To combat gender inequality in politics, the Indian Government has instituted reservations for seats in local governments.

Gender inequality has been improving a lot in Bangladesh, inequalities in areas such as education and employment remain ongoing problems so women have little political freedom. In 2015, Bangladesh was ranked 139 out of 187 countries on the Human Development Index and 47 out 144 countries surveyed on the Gender Inequality Index in 2017. Many of the inequalities are result of extreme poverty and traditional gender norms centred on a patrilineal and patriarchal kinship system in rural areas.

Gender equality is the notion that each gender should receive equal treatment in all aspects of life, and that one should not be discriminated based on their sex. Gender equality is a human right, which is recognised under the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gender inequality in Sri Lanka</span>

Gender inequality in Sri Lanka is centered on the inequalities that arise between men and women in Sri Lanka. Specifically, these inequalities affect many aspects of women's lives, starting with sex-selective abortions and male preferences, then education and schooling in childhood, which influence job opportunities, property rights, access to health and political participation in adulthood. While Sri Lanka is ranked well on several gender equality indices in comparison to other countries in the region, there are also some sources that question the verity of these indices. However, globally, Sri Lanka ranks relatively lower on gender equality indices. Overall, this pattern of social history that disempowers females produces a cycle of undervaluing females, providing only secondary access to health care and schooling and thus fewer opportunities to take on high level jobs or training, which then exacerbates the issue of low political participation and lowered social rights, a cycle studied and noted on by Dr. Elaine Enarson, a disaster sociologist studying the connection between disaster and the role of women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women's rights in Myanmar</span>

Women living in Myanmar continue to face barriers to equality. After forty years of isolation, myths about the state of women's rights in Myanmar (Burma) were centered around the conception that Burmese women face less gender discrimination and have more rights than women in surrounding Southeast Asian nations. After Myanmar opened its borders in 2010, gender discrimination began to be seen by the international community. Currently, a variety of organizations--both domestic and international--strive to educate people that this is a misconception to better make strides towards protecting women's rights in Myanmar.

Gender inequality in Nepal refers to disparities and inequalities between men and women in Nepal, a landlocked country in South Asia. Gender inequality is defined as unequal treatment and opportunities due to perceived differences based solely on issues of gender. Gender inequality is a major barrier for human development worldwide as gender is a determinant for the basis of discrimination in various spheres such as health, education, political representation, and labor markets. Although Nepal is modernizing and gender roles are changing, the traditionally patriarchal society creates systematic barriers to gender equality.

Examples of Gender inequality Papua New Guinea includes poverty, violence, limited access to education and health care, and witch hunts. Cases of violence against women in PNG are under reported. There is also a lack of services for women who experience violence. There are reports of sexual abuse by police officers, on arrest and whilst in police custody. These incidents lack documentation or investigation, consequently, perpetrators are rarely prosecuted or punished. The government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has introduced legislation to combat these issues, though with limited success.

Foreign aid for gender equality in Jordan includes programs funded by governments or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that aim to empower women, close gender based gaps in opportunity and experience, and promote equal access to education, economic empowerment, and political representation in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Rita Mahato is a Nepali women's rights activist. She works for the Women's Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) and received the Per Anger Prize in 2014.

References

  1. ↑ Basnet, Babita. "Women's Human Rights in Nepal on conflict situation" (PDF). UNESCO. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 September 2020.
  2. ↑ "Department for International Development Nepal, DFIDN Nepal Operational Plan: Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Annex" (PDF). Dfid.gov.uk. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  3. 1 2 "REPORT ON THE NEPAL LABOUR FORCE SURVEY 2008" (PDF). Central Bureau of Statistics National Planning Commission Secretariat Government of Nepal. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  4. 1 2 Becker, Margaret (3 April 2015). "Constructing SSLM: Insights from Struggles over Women's Rights in Nepal". Asian Studies Review. 39 (2): 247–265. doi: 10.1080/10357823.2015.1021754 . ISSN   1035-7823.
  5. ↑ Subedi, Nutan Chandra (2009). "Elimination of Gender Discriminatory Legal Provision by the Supreme Court of Nepal with Reference to Women's Right to Property". Tribhuvan University Journal. 26 (1): 37–54. doi: 10.3126/tuj.v26i1.2615 . ISSN   2091-0916.
  6. ↑ Heaton‐Shrestha, Celayne (1 April 2004). "The ambiguities of practising Jat in 1990s Nepal: elites, caste and everyday Life in development NGOs". South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies. 27 (1): 39–63. doi:10.1080/1479027042000186423. ISSN   0085-6401. S2CID   145569792.
  7. 1 2 Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Refworld | Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review : Nepal". Refworld. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  8. ↑ "Demographic and Health Survey" (PDF). DHS program. World Summit for Children Indicators, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 July 2020.
  9. ↑ "Women and activists see red over pink tax". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  10. ↑ "Nepal Plans to Limit Women's Travel for Work, Again". Human Rights Watch. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  11. ↑ Cousins, Sophie. "In Nepal, Tradition Is Killing Women". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  12. ↑ Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC). "Nepal Human Rights Year Book 2012" (PDF). INSEC. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 September 2018.
  13. ↑ Service, Himalayan News (6 January 2022). "Ruby Khan breaks hunger strike, seals deal with govt". The Himalayan Times . Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "Nepal Failing to Protect Women from Online Abuse". Human Rights Watch. 18 May 2020. Archived from the original on 19 May 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  15. ↑ "INTRODUCTION". Women Act Nepal. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.