Article 18 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 states: All citizens shall be equal before law. No person shall be denied the equal protection of law.
Article 38 of the charter states that no physical, mental, sexual and psychological or other any type of violent act or exploitation shall be inflicted against women on the ground of religious, social, cultural traditions, practices or on any other grounds. In particular, clause 4 of that article gives women the right to participate in all bodies of the State on the basis of the principle of proportional inclusion, clause 5 grants them the right to obtain special opportunity in education, health, employment and social security on the basis of positive discrimination whereas clause 6 gives the spouse the equal right to property and family affairs.
While our modern laws “guarantee” equal rights, roles and opportunities for women in every walk of life, even scriptures offer their utmost respect to women and girls while likening the male and the female to the wheels of a chariot. They argue that gods become happy where there’s respect for women.
Despite such guarantees and sweet words, women and girls remain far from the forefront in every walk of national life, though there are some exceptions. After the promulgation of the 2015 constitution, the country has got, apart from a head of the state, more women representatives in the parliament, in state assemblies and at local levels. These positives notwithstanding, things have not changed much for women and girls in our country. These days also, women and girls remain unsafe in urban spaces as well as in villages. For them, educational and career opportunities are still few and far between. What’s more, the exodus of men and boys has put heavier burdens on women and girls.
National gender equality policy (2077) describes changing social structure and mindset, increasing decisive role of women leaders, gender mainstreaming in the state's public policy, increasing access to justice by eliminating gender violence, eliminating harmful customs and traditions, internalization and institutionalization of gender issues at federal, provincial and local level, balancing women's natural, professional and social roles, benefitting particular target groups, social transformation including gender equality by eliminating all kinds of discriminations against women and adolescents through development of gender-responsive governance as the challenges (in bringing about gender equality).
A pretty long list of challenges, isn’t it?
Overcoming these challenges and having women and girls in the driving seat is a tough challenge that will require our talking heads to walk the talk.
Relentless pressure from the society, including independent media, will be necessary to make them deliver on their promises and guarantees. Let the International Women’s Day (March 8) inspire us all to march into a future where equality is the norm, not the exception.
