Consultation on Nepal's Constitution
April 16 - 17, 2009 - Kathmandu
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On April 16 and 17, 2009, CWCR hosted a Constitutional Consultation at the World Trade Center in Kathmandu with over 500 people participating. The guest of honor was Prime Minister Puspa Kamal who spoke in suport of women's and children's rights. There were over 170 members of the Constituent Assembly present during the two day Consultation as well as many reporters. There were long segments (3.5 - 7 minutes) of video coverage on national media.
Here is a press release about the first day of the Consultation:
Speaking today on 16 April 2009 at a conference organized by the Women’s Foundation (WF)and the Coalition of Women’s and Children’s Rights (CWCR), Prime Minister Puspa Kamal reiterated the need for the voices of all people to be heard in the Constituent Assembly (CA) and called upon all present to find the path to peace and the end of all suffering in Nepal.
The purpose of today’s conference was to inform and educate members of the CA and political leaders on issues facing women and children everyday in Nepal and the steps the government must take for all Nepali people o be treated fairly and equally under the law.
Renu Sharma, the president of the Women's Foundation (WF) and the coordinator of the CWCR, was the chair person of the programme. Sharma said, "This is an historical event for us and for Nepal. We have an opportunity to write our constitution with our own hands because we chose the members of parliament - to write a great constitution. From today . . . from this stage . . . I apeal to all respectable people - especially to the members of parliament - to work to stop the violence against women and children."
"Here are some examples: A couple of week ago the police caught several parliament members, ministers, and senior government officers having illegal sexual relation in one house in Kathmandu. When police realized who these people were, they did not arrest them. One parlienment member, whom the police did not know, was arrested and brought to the police office. Two days later he was released - but all women who were involved in sexual relation with them are still in jail. Why the inequality? Why only punishment for women? What happens to the rule of law when facing powerful people who do something wrong?"
"If a leader of any political party tortures his wife or children - the political parties should punish them and they should not be kept as leader because people should not look up to them any longer."
"If any senior government officer, minister, or police officer is involved in rape or if they marry more then one wife without divorce, or torture the wife badly (or at all!) they should not be blessed with the opportunity to take such important responsibilities or be a leader."
"All religious and culturally related stories or information which are directly related to violence against women and children or an assault on their rights rights should not be sanctioned or provided by government media. And we should conside thelimits of censorship, perhaps censoring programs form the public media which encourage or support violence against women and children (one example is Sistani Books)."
"Women should get equal access to every all opportunity - at all levels of government. and the Constuation should guarantee the rights and dignity of women and children."
PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE
Presented at the conference were two papers authored by Professor Bidhya Nath Koirala and Dr. Narayani Tiyari on children’s and women’s rights.
Professor Koirala's presentation
This paper of children’s issues was presented by 10 children! Those children were in ethnic dress - representing 10 different communities.
When these children told the audience what they, as children, are regularly facing each day - What is in the Constitution - What they want - The audience was crying because of the deep emotional feeling their words evoked. What lives people longed for for these innocent children - was so far from what th children related that it was impossible to hide the deep sadness and shame felt by adults.
The paper called for fundamental rights for children such as healthcare, education, dignity and security.
Dr. Tiyari's paper
Dr. Tiyari strongly addressed women’s issues including reproductive rights, equal opportunity, and an end to government endorsement of religious and cultural practices that discriminate against women.
Mr. Bhim Achya, representing the communist party (CPNUML ), gave a speech. Achya told the gathering that it is challenging to write the Constitution within the planned timetable because of the fighting among the political parties, conflict among the different groups, and no clear idea about what Federalism (the design of government) was to lok like.
Achya also said that every member of Parliament had a respnsibility to learn about every issue, to be aware of all sides in depth. The political parties should inform their party's representative that all social, economical, gender, and cast inequality should end - it should be the law clearly stated in new constitution! He added that he will lobby vigorously for that in his party. Ashya said that the Nepali nation must give priority for women, children, and all the people who are discriminated against as larger communities, smaller groups, or as individuals.
The other speaker Mr. Jitendra Dev for Madishe Janaadikar stated that women should join together to demand political change. They should be united as one for their rights. Dev said, "If you speak yourself - for yor rights - it will be easier to find support ffrom the political parties and you will feel stringer too. First all of people have to start seeking equality form their own place."
Other Speakers
At the conference 14 people from various backgrounds delivered speeches.
From the National Human Rights Commission, Ms. Lila Pathak spoke expressing strong solidarity with the work of WF and said women still find themselves in great difficulties, often facing violent situations because of male domination and resultant gender discrimination. In addition, there is no support for equal rights for women in access or opportunity from Nation as a whole. Pathak said, "To make a good nation - children must be protected and must be guarantied a good education, as well as access to good health care, nutritious food and adequate security. "
Ms. Nain Kala Thapa president of the National Women's Commission stated in her speech, "Women must always be conscious and should be very careful and vigilant for their rights. Rights can be cheated on in many places." Thapa went on to say, "Sixty two years ago when Nepal government wrote the constitution Children were clearly to be given compulsory free education but it was never implemented! Compulsory education was not written in the right section of the constitution. Education for children was not in the section on fundamental rights. As a result, the government was not compelled to implement it." Thapa said that she highly appreciates the work of WF and the work of CWCR. It is really great historical work. It is the right congference at the right time!!
Devi Khadka, a member ofParliament, told the conference, "I can feel the pain of the women!!" She share her own horrific experience at the conference. She was raped by several police and members of the Nepali army. She wants to secure - in her lifetime - rights and security for women, children, poor people, disadvantage and voice less people. Khadka said that she respect the Women's Foundation because she knows the Women's Foundation's work from a time when she was in big difficulties, great trouble, and she did not have any dreams, when she had nearly lost her mind. She knows how important work of WF is in saving women and girls. Khadka stated wuth great conviction that she will raise a strong voice in support of womena nd children and will to submitted the consultation the wrk of the conference. THe work of the conference wil be brought to Parliament! She will lobby for and work hard to pass rights for women and children.. This conference will help decide which issue will become part of the constitution. We will come tomorrow also to be in the group, we will listen your opinions, suggestions and we also will share.
Arjun Guragai :The director of Child Haven International Nepal and member of CWCR told us that children are the future of Nation. If we want to have a good future we must to give children the best opportunities. And we must support them! He added that if everyfamily give good care for their children the world will be different. The children who have no parents or other people to take care them should be taken care of by the local government. We are all responsible for every child.
Pradeep Pokhrel: Past president of Amnesty international Nepal, President of HUDEP Nepal and advisor of CWCR, explained the objective of the Conference and the Network. He also said Basic health, education, safety and security should be Fundamental Rights. The Women are the soul of the family. Women should be highly respectedt in the family.
Dhana bahadur Air from Unraggio dulice also give his speech at the conference.
Kamala Upreti, Secretary General, give welcome speech at the programme.
Today’s conference had 514 attendees from all over Nepal, political leaders, human rights leaders, social activists, professors, representatives from the districts, and memberfs of Parliament. The conference continues tomorrow, Friday, April 17th, , from 8:30am to 5pm, at the United World Trade Center, with workshops and further discussion .
Note: See letters sent to friends by Tara Upreti, a founder of the Women'sFoundation, now living in Canada. Upreti had been in touch with various members of the support staff during the Consultation and shaed news and emaotions with her friends.
BACKGROUND
In the late spring of 2009, the Parliament of Nepal will renew discussions about the Constitution. It is vital to the life of women and children in Nepal that NGO's have a voice in the wording of protections and rights given to women and children in Nepal.
It is common knowledge that in some areas of Nepal the culture allows men to own their wifes. Men can disown their wives (and children) leaving the women little recourse but to look for employment in the sex trades. This is not an acceptable practice in any civilized nation.
Women are subject to being called "witches" which means they are not treated as people at all. In many parts of Nepal it is culturally appropriate that women do not own anything - no house - no land - no money fo their own. They are at the mercy of their families. When a man thorws a woman out of the house - she no longer has a family.
Children are found inthe sex trades, the quarries, the factories of Nepal. This is not acceptable. Children should be in school.
Some of these practices will not change just because there is a constitution giving rights to women and children - it will take time to change an embeded culture. Families will have to change, men will change, the structure of work in and out of the home will change, land ownership will change, and so on.
There is so much change, so much at stake in the wording of this new constitution that everyone must be able to sit at the table and have their say. To date this has not really been the practice, though the government has held consultations in the constituencies of members of Parliament. Often women are nto allowed to or encourages to speak.
This is why NGO's must stand together and speak with one voice for so many people in Nepal - women and children.