Women Want A Long-term Anti-poverty Program
by Kamala Sarup
Creating development means creating goods and services of greater value. So now we want to talk not about wealth
creation, but about human rights and freedom.
I agree that all countries, including the US, deal with other countries in ways that promote the economic interests of
groups of people in their own country. If that means promoting democratic regimes, or promoting values, or promoting
freedom, then that is what is done.
If we study the history of development and poverty, we will find that western farm surpluses are caused mostly by
productivity improvements caused by advances in farm machinery and crop chemistry (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.). "In
the US that translates to 3% of the population feeding the other 97% and having lots more food left over to feed
millions around the world.
However, longer and healthier lives, when coupled with improved education and foreign investment in local industries can
contribute to greater productivity in the countries and thereby improve their development standards. India and Indonesia
are good examples of how it can work," N. Penasack recently said to me. For an example of how leaders can make all the
difference in people's living conditions, there is no better example than Japan.
Indeed we are doing enough in talking about poverty but not in combating poverty in action. There is some poverty
alleviation program developed and implicated in the country too.
Dr Surendra Pradhanang of Nepal is an award winning personality whose work has helped create a new face for tourism and
economic development, and the best thinker of village development and nation's development, offered, "We are on the
effort of combating poverty. Theoretically, political leaders, ministers, NGOS, INGOS and concerned authorities talked
much more about our poverty and its combat and held several seminars and conferences on it. Consequently, poverty could
not have reduced in real terms.
Each year we prioritized it in budget speech. We see the major focal point –poverty alleviation focused even in the
preamble of those of national plans. But the implication of poverty alleviation programs is being experienced is very
weak and ineffective to cope with the absolute poverty.
A Nepali Dr Pradhanang further said " Poverty alleviation fund has been established. Some poverty alleviation programs
alleviation' were started . Due to poor implementation and absence of honesty in program ,the output of the programs
could not have resulted in significance. Analitically, despite of the programs undertaken no progress was made in
combating poverty.
He further added "Peace and security, we want, is the common factor of development which affects the whole system of the
country. 'No peace, no agreement and no security, no developments ' are the major causes of poverty, violence and
unemployment. In Nepal there is still no peaceful environment and secured life of the people. The national politics led
by the slogan of People's democracy is attractive in hearing. It should be normalized and functioned to all Nepalese in
the country. One should not go against other when we compromise and understand one to other. Security of the people is
the buzzword along with peace and development. Now there must not be any conflict in this respect.
Dr Pradhanang said, "First and foremost, the loss of peace and security should bring back to the Nepalese people and
community. Then the door for combating poverty and unemployment opens. Secondly, the massive programs on rehabilitation
and economic development strategy have to be introduced and applied.
The youths, intellectuals, experts, technocrats and above all brain power ought to be utilized for national development.
In fact, national development in various fields should be handed over at the hands of experts and specialists with due
consideration.
Besides, the bad influence of political leaders who are in government administration must be dismissed from the post and
power. Those who abused the power holding government post and portfolio should be punished as per the regulations set.
The corrupted administrators must be eliminated from the government administration.
"Poverty, violence and unemployment are reactions to the Nepalese cold war, unstable political climate and economic
crisis. On the other side, National productivity as well as GDP growth rate are very low. Unlikely, the current budget
has estimated 5 percent growth rate on GDP which does not match the reality of the nation's economy.
Inflation on daily consumption goods is very high and unstable. The supply system, which is not good, mostly blocked and
black-marketed in the country. The inflationary rate, it is experienced, is in between 20-30 percent, he continued.
Unlikely, the general expenditure of the government is being increased day by day as burden to the Nepalese women. The
tax paid by the general public could not have been utilized in productive sectors. Mainly, the economic parameters of
the country are not in a favorable position which determines the national economy and its status.
To measure the present economic crisis of the nation, the government's attitude and that of people should be immediately
changed from too much of a politics-mind to a development-mind. Not surprisingly, in wake of growing poverty, violence
and unemployment, educators, planners and developers have to make planning for economic crisis of the country.
Dr Pradhanang also said on the Nepali situation, " Nepal has the provision of general standard education, but it would
not have taken any special step on appropriate education and employment for the children and women so far. Nepal is a
gender disparity suffered country where women have less access to educational and health facilities and social services.
Women estimated to constitute 62.50 percent of the illiterate population of Nepal are - a serious concern.
Indeed, Nepal is not in front line on special steps to children and women for education and employment opportunities at
all. However, it has started in order to uplift rural poor women, and illustrates an awareness for women's education and
income generation programs that launched in some districts.
Accordingly, Nepal has also followed UN Millennium Goal as common programs and obligations to educate and protect
children and women and it also stressed to reduce poverty and provide job opportunities to women. Nepal has permitted to
open nursery and child care centers and women's colleges for a nice education, health and potential of employment
opportunities to private sector.
Thus, we need the economic revolution through the village tourism industry in close relation to agro-tourism basement.
The growth of village tourism and agricultural sector generate a substantial surplus. This can help invest for
accelerating development of other sectors of the economy.
*************
Journalist and Story Writer Kamala Sarup associates and writes for http://www.mediaforfreedom.com/. She is a regular contributor to United Press International - Asia News. She is specializes in in-depth reporting and
writing on peace, anti-war, women, terrorism, democracy, and development. Some of her publications are: Women;s
Empowerment in South Asia, Nepal (booklets); Prevention of Trafficking in Women Through Media, (book); Efforts to
Prevent Trafficking in for Media Activism (media research). She has also written two collections of stories.