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Gopal Thapa

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Present Statistical Status of Nepalese Women: An Analysis
Gopal Thapa
Lecturer, Nepal Commerce Campus

Abstract

Women are the back bone of their family, pillar of community life and care taker of next generation, but most of their works are unpaid, invisible and unrecognized. Now days, Nepal is in transition phase of federal republic democracy. The process of new constitution is going to materialize. So it hopes that the future constitution will be inclusive in nature on basis of gender equality. This paper tries to explain the conditions and participation of female in various sectors of nation.

Key words

Patriarchal family, Gender equality, Reproductive rights, Education status, Health status

Introduction

In Nepal, there is patriarchal family pattern. The male is the head of the household and he is the owner of family property and right. All authorities reserve to the male person and father is the supreme of the family. By the cause of this, women have to face the partiality in the field of economic, political and social sectors. Now a day, there is no doubt of providing woman rights legally. There are so many areas where the woman rights equally stated. But practically, the gender equality has not been practiced in the real ground. The female rights is only for educated and elite women who are earning money as activists of NGO and INGO by taking the issues of female awareness (Rijal, 2010: p 1). But in the country side, women are living as the life of animal. Still they have not got the facilities of basic needs like food, health, education etc. It is a remarkable point that male and female are two sides of a coin. It means that both of them get the equal chance of opportunity and feel the equal responsibility towards the nation. The female population in Nepal is covered by more than 50% but the participation of female representation in various sectors of the nation is very low. Due to the lack of primary health facilities, they reach the door of death in stage of pregnancy and maternity. But women are the back bone of their family, pillar of community life and primary care taker of next generation. In addition, they manage house hold and prepare foods. In the absence of supporting policies, laws, services and time saving technologies, women work take for more hours on an average than men. Most of their works are unpaid, invisible and unrecognized. The average daily working load of a woman is 10.9 hours while it is 7.8 hours for a man (IIPF, 2001).

In the Interim Constitution of Nepal 2063, article20, women rights are expressed as the fundamental rights of nation. So many positive factors are written in the constitution about the women rights. Besides of this, various partial rules and regulations between the male and female are amended, but problems are not going to be solved by the weak implementation.

In traditional society, the status of women is generally low. In such society, child bearing itself restores prestige of wife, but childless woman is looked down upon (Bhende & Kanitkar, 2010: p 489). Similarly, high growth rate of population means the birth of more children by a woman. If a woman gives more children, she can not get the opportunities of education, training, employment and other social activities (Luitel, 2007: p 45).Now days, Nepal is in transition phase of federal republic democracy. The process of making new constitution is going to materialize. In 2063 Jestha 26, the concurrent legislative assembly gave a decision that it must be provided 33% woman representation in the different fields of nation. So it hopes that the future constitution of Nepal will be inclusive in nature on the basis of gender equality. Gender equality refers to same status, right and responsibility for women and men. It is necessary to give the reproductive right to women constituently as the fundamental right of them.

The International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo 1994) has emphasized women empowerment as a basic tool for country’s overall development and improving the quality of life. In ICPD 1994, reproductive rights are defined as the basic right of couples and individual to decide freely and responsively the number, spacing and timing of their children and highest standard of sexual and reproductive health. It also includes their right to make decisions concerning reproduction free from discrimination, coercion and violence. The fourth world conference on women (Beijing1995) has also followed the theme of Cairo conference as improving women’s access to and control over economic resources can be a key lever for lifting families and communities out of poverty.

Despite many international conference affirming women’s human rights, girls and women are still much more likely than men to be poor, malnourished and illiterate and to have less access than men to medical care, property ownership, credit training and employment (Bist and Joshi, 2065: p 70). Gender equality is the first and foremost a human right. Women are entitled to live in dignity and in freedom from fear. Empowering women is also an indispensable tool for advancing development and reducing poverty. Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities and to improve prospects for next generation.

Objective of the Study

The basic objective of the study is to enquire the present status of female with compare to male and test whether the gender and education status are associated or not among the Nepalese people in the school and higher education levels.

Methodology

All analysis and discussion have been based on published source of secondary data such as Statistical year book of Nepal 2009(CBS), Nepal in figures 2010 (CBS), Women in Nepal Some Statistical facts 2006 (CBS), Census of manufacturing Establishments 2006/07 (CBS), Flash 1 report 2065(Education Department), T.U. Bulletin 2064/65 etc. Some descriptive statistics such as ratio, percentage and average are used to compare the status of male and female in various sectors. Inferential statistics is used to test whether the gender and education status are associated or not among the Nepalese people in the school level and the higher education level.

The chi square test is given by

χ² [pic]

Where O= observed frequency E=expected frequency

Female population in Nepal

According to the National Census 2058, the total population of Nepal is 2,31,51,423, among the total population the share of women is 1,15,87,502 which is the 50.04% of the total population.

Table 1: Population of male & female
|Year |Total population |Female population |% of female population |
|2009 |8235079 |4184472 |50.81 |
|2018 |9412996 |4776963 |50.74 |
|2028 |11555983 |5738780 |49.65 |
|2038 |15022839 |7327503 |48.77 |
|2048 |14891097 |9270123 |50.13 |
|2058 |23151423 |11587502 |50.04 |

Source: CBS, Statistical Year Book 2001.

The above table indicates that the female population is around 50% in the different national censes of Nepal. In the census years 2028 and 2038, the female population is slightly less than male population.

Female population by age distribution

According to the national census 2058, the male and female population by different age group is as follows:

Table 2: Female population by age distribution
|Age in years |Total population |Female population |Male population |
|0-4 |2755213 |1359498 |1395715 |
|5-14 |6193374 |3026481 |3166893 |
|15-59 |12310968 |6259038 |6051930 |
|60 and above |1477379 |732579 |744840 |
|Total |22736934 |11377556 |11359378 |

Source: CBS, Nepal in Figure 2009,

From the above table, the female population under the age 15 years is less than the male population of the same age. It shows that still people are wanted to birth son rather than daughter. Similarly, the population of female over the age 60 years is also less than male population. It shows that the facility of modern medicine is also so far from the female access.

Female in Civil Services

There is very little participation of women in civil service of Nepal. The following table shows the women participation in civil services:

Table 3: Women participation of civil services
|Class |Total civil servants |Female civil servants |% of female civil servants |
|Gazetted specials |44 |1 |2.27 |
|Gazetted first |336 |13 |3.87 |
|Gazetted second |2019 |72 |3.57 |
|Gazetted third |6579 |374 |5.68 |
|Non gazettes first |15008 |1535 |10.23 |
|Non gazetted second |19296 |2376 |12.31 |
|Non gazetted third |8674 |2839 |32.73 |
|Non gazetted fourth |1352 |51 |3.77 |
|Non classified |24018 |1505 |6.27 |
|total |77326 |8766 |11.34 |

Source: Nijamati Kitab khana,Pul chok,15 Ashad 2066.

From the above table, the female participation is the lowest than the male participation. But according to the second amendment of civil service acts2049, 45% is supposed to be 100%, among this 33% is separated to the female candidates. So it is hoped that the female participants in civil service are going to increase in the future.

Education status of female

Education is the most prominent factor of empowering women with knowledge, skill and self confidence. According to the” Nepal in Figures 2010”, the literacy rate (%) of Nepalese people is 54.1. Among of them, male literacy rate is 65.5 but corresponding figure of female is 42.8. The following table shows the enrollment of boys and girls in the school from primary to higher secondary level.

Table 4:Education status of female in school level
|level |Boys |Girls |Total |%of girls |
|Primary |2446728 |2453935 |4900663 |50.07 |
|Lower secondary |818063 |786359 |1604422 |49.01 |
|Secondary |410522 |379826 |790348 |48.05 |
|Higher secondary |136654 |143793 |280447 |51.12 |

Source: Tathyanka Gatibidhi, 2066/67, Chaitra-Ashar, CBS

From the above table the enrollment of girls in primary level is higher than the enrollment of boys. But this scenario is exactly opposite in the lower secondary and secondary level education. There is no significant difference between enrollment of boys and girls from primary to higher secondary level. In higher secondary level, the enrollment of girls is much higher than boy’s enrollment because some boys of urban area go to aboard study and some boys of rural area go to Middle East and other countries for foreign employment service after the SLC level.

Tribhuvan University is the oldest and pioneer university of Nepal. More than 80% of students have been studying in T.U. According to the report of Tribhuvan University 2064/65, the enrollment of boys and girls in deferent levels are as follows:

Table 5: Women in higher education
|Level |Boys |Girls |Total |%of girls |
|Certificate |31844 |16549 |48393 |34.19 |
|Bachelor |58983 |30548 |89531 |34.12 |
|Master |20746 |8400 |29146 |28.82 |

Source: Tathyanka Gatibidhi,2066/67,Chaitra-Ashar,CBS

Among the students of higher education, there are only 34.74%of girls. There are significant differences between enrollment of girls and boys in higher education level.

Certificate level different faculties like arts, commerce, law, education have been abolished in T.U. But, it has not abolished in practical science like engineering, medicine, forestry, agriculture. So more number of boys have enrolled in these type of subjects but girls have not chance to enroll in these subjects. It shows that in the 21st century, still there are discrimination between son and daughter to get the chance of higher education.

Health status of female

The female mortality rate and fertility rate are much higher in Nepal. Most of the women in the remote area have not got the primary health facilities. So, they face untimely death in the stage of pregnancy and maternity. The following table shows the health status of Nepalese women.

Table 6: Health status of Nepalese women
|Condition |Statistics |
|Total fertility rate |3.1 |
|Maternal mortality rate |281per lakh alive birth |
|Average life expectancy of women |64.5 years |
|Maternity service by health professionals |31.6% |
|First time pregnancy examination service |67.9% |
|Maternity at health post and hospital |15.1% |
|First time maternity service |37.7% |

Source: Annual Report 2064/65, Department of Health service

There are 281 women per lakh have died in the stage of pregnancy and maternity. In the economic year 2064/65, the expected pregnant women were 984251 but only15.1% out of them had got the maternity service from health post and hospital. Similarly, only 31.6 % had got the maternity service by health workers and 67.9% had got the facility of first time pregnancy examination service. It indicates that still 32.1% women have not get the primary health facilities in the nation.

Female in political sector

After the election of constitutional assembly, the representation of female participation in politics is significantly increased. There are 197 women representatives in the house of parliament.

Table 7: Female representative in the house of constitutional assembly
|Direct election system |Inclusive election system |Nominated |Total |
| Total representatives=240 | Total representatives =335 | Total representatives=36 |601 |
|No. of female representative=30 | Female representatives=161 | Female representatives=6 |197 |

Source: www.election.gov.np

This table shows that there are 33% female representatives in the house of constitutional assembly. It means that female awareness is gradually increased in the political sector with compare to past decades.

Women in agriculture sector

Nepal is an agricultural country. More than 85.80 % people live in the rural areas and 76% of people are engaged in agriculture activities. So, agriculture is the mainstay of the economy accounting for one third of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).The following table shows the current agriculture status of male and female.

Table 8: women in agriculture sector

|Gender |Area of land holding |No. of agriculture holder |Average size of holding |Total population of farmers|
| |(000hector) |(per000) |land (hector) |(000) |
|Male |2654.1 |3092.6 |0.82 |9385.8 |
|Female |143.8 |271.5 |0.53 |9646.7 |
|Total |2797.9 |3364.1 |0.8 |19032.5 |

Source: CBS, Women in Nepal Some Statistical facts, 2006

From the above table, it is known that female have actively participated in agricultural sector with compare to male but they have limited property right. The average working load of women is 10.9 hours while it is 7.8 hours for male. The table indicates that women are holding only area of 143.8 thousand hectors land but men are holding area of 2654.1hectors land. It also indicates that 9646.7 thousand women are completely engaged in agriculture sectors but 9385.8 thousand men are engaged in it.

Women in manufacturing establishment

According to the census of manufacturing establishments Nepal 2007, the numbers of women who are working in the manufacturing sector are given below:

Table 9: Women involved in manufacturing establishment
|Level |Women |Men |Total |% of women |
|Manager |110 |1809 |1919 |5.73 |
|Administrator |1224 |16859 |18104 |6.87 |
|Technician |363 |7463 |7826 |4.63 |
|Helper |27270 |105544 |132814 |20.53 |
|Total |28988 |131675 |160663 |18.04 |

Source:CBS, Census of Manufacturing Establishments Nepal 2006/07.

There are only 18.04 percent of women are working in the industrial and manufacturing sector among them 5.73 percent are managers, 6.87 are administrators, 4.63 percent are technicians and 20.53 percent are helper(peon and non class level). Generally, women are involved in a low productivity, low wage and higher risk of physical works under the employment sector.

Worldwide scenario

Nepal is not only one country where the status of women is very low. Every minute around the world a woman dies as a result of pregnancy –related causes. The status of women in the world is shown in the following table

Table 10: The status of women in the worldwide scenario
|Situation |Female scenario |
|900 million illiterate |65% female |
|130 million out of school children |70% female |
|100 million primary school drop outs |66% female |
|1.3 million poor percent |70% female |
|Women’s work |66% unpaid |
|Labor force participation |40% female |
|Managers |14% women |
|Parliament |17% women |
|Executives |1-2% women |

Source: CEDPA, Gender equality, 2002.

Until women are represented more fully in local, national and international decision making bodies, but their issues won’t be priorities. Today, women hold only 17% of parliamentary seats worldwide.

Summary and conclusion

Nepal is one of the least developed countries of the world. Among 23.1 million people of the country as per census of 2001 A.D. 85.80 percent of people live in the rural areas. There is not only one factor to decrease the status of women, social and cultural values are equally responsible. Various efforts have been conducted in the different national development planning to promote the status of women among the Nepalese people. But sufficient facilities have not been reached to target group by the cause of ecological diversity, ignorance of people and other social and economical factors. So it should be prevented the discrimination against girls and gender based violence in various sectors by implementing the strong rules and regulations. It should be provided full authority of reproductive decisions to the women. If we are able to protect female’s reproductive rights, they will have freedom to participate fully and equally in the society. Government should provide the right to non discrimination and equality in education and employment sectors. The gender equality is the basic human right; it offers the multiple rewards that can accelerate social and economic progress with positive impact on future generations. In Nepal, women have suppressed in all walks of life by generation to generation, women empowerment is far easier said than done. This, in certain respect, demands a revolutionary change in socio-cultural values of the society.

References

Bhende A.A. and Kanitkar T.(2010), Principles of Population Studies, New Delhi:Himalaya Publshing House.

Bist P.S. and Joshi M.R.(2005), Population Studies, Part 2, Kathmandu: Bhundipuran Prakashan.

CBS(2006/07), Census of Manufacturing Establishments, Central Bureau of Statistics, Kathmandu Nepal.

CBS(2009) , Nepal in Figure, Central Bureau of Statistics, Kathmandu, Nepal

CBS (2001), Statistical Year Book, Central Bureau of Statistics, Kathmandu: Nepal.

CBS (2066/67),Tathanka Gatibidhi (Chaitra/Ashar),Central Bureau of Statistics, Kathmandu ,Nepal

CBS (2006), Women in Nepal Some Statistical Facts, Central Bureau of Statistics, Kathmandu, Nepal.

CEDPA (1996), Gender Equality, Center for Development and Population Activities, Washington D. C. USA

DOHS (2065/66), Annual Report, Department of Health Service,Kathmandu, Nepal

ICPD (1994), Population and Development, International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, Egypt.

IIPF (2001), International Tax & public Finance, International Institute of Public Finance

Luitel C.P.(2007),Population of Nepal, Kathmaqndu: Neema Pustak Prakashan.

MOH (2001), Nepal Family Health Survey, Ministry of Health, Kathmandu Nepal.

Rijal O.P.(2066/67),Nepal ma Mahila ko Bartaman Tatgankiya Abastha,Tathanka Gatibithi, (Mansir/Phagun) Central Bureau of Statistics, Kathmandu ,Nepal

www.cedpa.org/section/publication www.election.gov.np www.iipf.org/cng.htm
www.nijamati.com/

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