Gender equality is a theme in the Danish development assistance in Nepal, which ensures that gender issues are not separated from the general development activities.
Nepal is among the least developed countries in terms of gender equality as measured by the Gender Inequality Index in the UNDP HDI (2010) ranking 138 out of 169 assessed countries. The general discrimination in Nepal is magnified by the deeply entrenched systems of social exclusion of which gender is one dimension. Ethnicity, social status and caste discrimination add to the already weak status of women. Trafficking of both men and women continues to be a problem in Nepal. In terms of women and girls, it is estimated that between 4,000 and 12,000 girls are subject to trafficking to India every year for sexual exploitation. Violence against women is an aspect that has received little attention, but seems to be an important factor in explaining the continued level of discrimination, especially within the family and in close communities. Discrimination by mother-in-law or other women (in-laws) in the extended family is common and often related to economic interests. Accusations of witchcraft, prompted by women are also occurring.
Regional differences in Nepal should be recognized. A general perception is that Madheshi Dalit women in the Terai region of Nepal are the most excluded and marginalized, whereas high cast hill women the least. However it is difficult to generalize and all women in general are discriminated.
While some progress has been achieved, little progress has been made on the ground; not only because of limitations to the legal framework. Even in cases where rights are secured, social discrimination and lack of awareness continue to deprive especially women of equal treatment and opportunities. Informal mechanisms are in many instances assisting women and men getting justice and accessing public services. However, some discriminatory practices has also been reported from providers of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation of sexual and/or domestic violence cases.
• The government declared 2010 as the year to end Gender Based Violence. The Prime Minister and the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers is heavily engaged in the work.• A National Action Plan has been formulated by an inter-ministerial committee and work is on-going for its implementation. • A National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 has been developed with the effort of donor community and engagement of the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction. It has been endorsed by the cabinet and its implementation is underway. • Vigorous work of the civil society organizations has resulted in amendment of discriminatory legal provisions and formulation of new legal provisions to address discrimination against women – some examples: the possibility for women to seek divorce in cases of abuse and the right to inherit and claim property from the family of the husband etc. • Debate on gender issues in Nepal is now generally accepted. • Increased number of women parliamentarian and women in politics.• Increased number of women in decision making bodies. • Increased number of women being aware of their rights.
In the education sector Denmark is supporting the Government of Nepal’s “School Sector Reform Programme” (SSRP). The funding is channelled through the budget based on a Joint Financing Arrangement (JFA) between the Government of Nepal and 9 Development Partners, including Denmark. The goal of the SSRP is to contribute to socio-economic development through a continuous development of human resources capacities, and specific attention is given to gender and equality issues.
Special incentive programmes and scholarships have been put in place in order to increase enrolment of children from discriminated and marginalized groups, e.g. dalits and girls from the poorer segments of the population. Progress continues to be made and targets have been met in many areas, notably with regard to access and gender parity in basic education. The provision of scholarships has significantly contributed to this success. However, female literacy rates are still consistently far lower than those of males across all dimensions of disaggregation. To increase female participation in secondary education the SSRP gives special provisions for maternity and paternity leave, infant feeding breaks, and reduced eligibility period for promotion of teachers from disadvantaged groups including females. The SSRP also intends to implement various affirmative actions to increase recruitment of female teachers and head-teachers.
In July 2010 DanidaHUGOU developed a “Framework for Organizational Mainstreaming of Crosscutting Policy Priorities” in which the policy concerns covered are: gender equality and social inclusion; conflict transformation; and accountability. The framework is used as the main platform for dialogue on mainstreaming gender with the strategic partners supported under the Human Rights and Good Governance Programme-III (2009-2013).
The dialogue is beginning to yield specific results. For instance, Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (ACORAB) has received technical assistance on gender equality and social inclusion, in order to enhance the capacity of the board and staff members to mainstream the same in community radios by designing a gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) policy for community radios which is now finalized. Other strategic partners like Youth Initiative (YI) and Nepal National Dalit Social Welfare Organization (NNDSWO) have also received TA on gender equality and social inclusion. During the advocacy workshop held in January 2010 a handbook on “Monitoring advocacy capacity in civil society organisations” was developed, which also includes elements of gender in advocacy. A specific part of the Joint Annual Reviews, which are conducted with all 13 Strategic Partners, will review the results of the strategic partners from the perspective of gender and social inclusion, among other things, by preparing an organizational profile, which shows how well gender is taken into account in staffing. DanidaHUGOU has consistently assisted partners in developing Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks which are capable of generating gender disaggregated data. DanidaHUGOU will continue to provide technical assistance on mainstreaming of cross cutting policy priorities, including gender concerns, to its partners and monitor progress in this respect.
Local Grant has been instrumental in promoting targeted interventions that aims at the empowerment of women through skills development and vocational training.
Responsible desk officer at the Danish Embassy:
Bandana Sharma
bansha@um.dk