NEPAL:Women and Anti-poverty Program
By Kamala Sarup
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.
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, "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. Analytically,
despite of the programs undertaken no progress was made in combating
poverty.
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
brainpower 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 is 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.
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
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 stressed to reduce poverty and provide job opportunities to women.
Nepal has permitted to open nursery and childcare 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 Media For Freedom. 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.
ENDS