tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11382923834802567002024-03-19T05:36:26.368+01:00A Personal View of the RoomSunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-48357432076816467212015-06-12T01:48:00.003+02:002015-06-12T01:52:20.085+02:00SCARRED FOR LIFE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">As Mao Tzedong said, “Women hold up half the sky”, but until recently violence against women and girls has lacked reliable statistics and surveillance systems. Acid throwing, also known as acid attack, has emerged as a new brutal form of violence against women that involves the throwing of sulphuric, nitric or hydrochloric acid onto another person, with the intention to physically, mentally and socially scar another person’s life. Although acid attacks occur worldwide (including Europe, Middle East, North America, North Africa) such violence has become an epidemic in South Asia, especially in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.</span></div>
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There are no fix rules of acid violence. Acid attack victims are girls, women and men, and perpetrated by both women and men who kill or seriously injure family and community members. In some cases the victims and perpetuators are also women, who commit the crime for jealously. Yet, global statistics suggest that attacks are predominantly perpetrated by men as a result of shame, dishonour, traditional perception of women and influences from the media. According to the <a href="http://www.acidsurvivors.org/">Acid Survivors Foundation</a>(ASF) total of 3510 individuals were burned in Bangladesh by acid between 1999 and 2013, out of which 2408 (69%) are female. The organization has a vision to free Bangladesh from acid violence and ensure that acid survivors live with dignity. Experts claim that most of the acid violence occurring in very remote areas among women and girls remain unreported, increasing the female population from 69% to 75-80% of the total victims.</div>
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The majority of acid attacks victims are usually young women aged from thirteen to thirty five and are attacked by men whose sexual desires are rejected or men taking revenge for rejecting marriage proposals. It is an extension of the idea that “If I can’t have her, then no one can have her,” thereby ruining any chances of having an ‘ideal’ marriage life, house and children. More than 43% of total females acid attack survivors are under the age of 18.</div>
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As the <a href="http://www.paho.org/hq/">Pan America Health Organization </a>(PAHO) suggests 10%-50% of women globally have experienced some sort of physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. ASF also reported that half of the acid violence are by the man closest to the victims- married men who get bored by their wives or who want to get dowry<a href="http://wordsinthebucket.com/acid-scarred-for-life#_ftn1">[1]</a> from a new wife or who wants to have a son to keep the family tradition. This is because of the embedded patriarchal society where females lack basic rights and are at high risk of violence</div>
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Reasons behind Attacks</div>
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Reasons for attack vary from rejection of sex and marriage proposal, dowry, family dispute, female infanticide, extramarital affairs, revenge, land or business disputes, sexual jealousy and robbery. The Annual report from ASF statistics emphasizes that dowry, family related dispute and marital dispute consist 21% of reason for acid attack, whereas land or business disputes comprise 39% of total violence. Most disputes related to land, business, property and money occurs between men but perpetrators attack mothers/wives/daughters/sisters of those that they have the disputes as beautiful female members are often considered as ‘pride’ and ‘assets’ of the family.</div>
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The motives of acid throw often differs by country.</div>
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In Bangladesh, the highest world-wide reported cases of acid attack, men are the predominant acid throwers whose motivations are over land and business disputes followed by refusal of marriage or sexual proposal, ASF suggests.</div>
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The number of reported acid attacks in India has surged. There were 309 reported acid attack cases in 2014 compared to 66 cases in 2013, India home minister reported. In India, acid is poured against women predominantly for hate or revenge. Reshma Qureshi (age 18) and Lalita Ben Bansi (age 21) were attacked for revenge in India. In May 2014, Reshma was visiting her sister in Allahabad when her brother-in-law tried to attack both of them. Reshma tried to escape, when some of the sulphric acid fell on her sister. But her brother-in-law’s friends chased her down a street where she was pinned down and her face doused with acid. She lost her left eye; her right eye is still infected. Her face was severely disfigured. Lalita, meanwhile, was on her way to a fair in October 2012 when an elaborate ordeal emptied the beer bottle filled with acid over her head. She was attacked five months after she yelled at a younger cousin brother during an indoor game. It took three hours for her mother and aunt to get her to a hospital. By then she was blinded, her elbows were stuck at an angle and her nose, ears and eyelids had melted.</div>
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In Pakistan, men more commonly throw acid on women over rejection of marriage/sex proposal or women wearing modern or westernized dress. At least 280 women died and 750 suffered injuries in 2002 alone as a result of acid attacks, ASF Pakistan listed. The Oscar-winning documentary about acid attacks in Pakistan, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140371/">Saving Face</a>, highlighted the stories of two women, Zakia and Rukhsana, where Zakia was attacked by her husband when she made the decision to divorce her addictive husband. In the case of Rukhsana, her husband threw the acid on her then her sister-in-law threw gasoline, and her mother-in-law lit a match and set her on fire. The reason of attack on Rukhsana is unknown and her husband denied the accusation.</div>
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In Cambodia, it is more common that women attack other women over sexual jealousy or ‘triangle of loving/relationship affairs’ so that the husbands will not stay with another woman or next wife.</div>
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Recently there have been notable acid attacks among Iranian women for not dressing modestly and covering hair. Acid is also commonly used for female genital mutilation (FGM) and preserving girls’ chastity.</div>
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Why Acid?</div>
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There are few factors that contribute to escalate the level of acid attack. First, acid has become a favoured weapon of choice for both men and women because it is cheaper than other forms of weapons and are readily available at stores. In Asian countries, sulphuric acid is as cheap as 30 cents a litre and can be found at any automobile shops.. Second, the legal system are weak and police officers especially in Asian countries are corrupts which often allows perpetrators to avoid justice.</div>
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Measures to protect Acid victims</div>
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In 2015, the Supreme Court of India ordered private hospitals to bear the entire cost of medical treatment of acid attack survivors, including costly plastic and corrective surgeries. In July 2013, the court ordered the state government to pay the compensation of accumulated 300,000 rupees (€4,500) in installments to the victims. The victims are entitled 100,000 rupees within 15 days of an assault and rest over the subsequents months but lack proper implementation and poor awareness among law enforcers as well as victims. The two Mumbai acid attack survivors Reshma Qureshi and Lalita Ben lack the information about the type of compensation the government offered to acid victims and where to claim. They are not even sure if they can receive the compensation.</div>
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For Reshma, it has almost been a year since her family have received a letter from a senior police inspector promising them 100,000 rupees within 15 days and 200,000 rupees over the subsequent two months. But she and her family have yet to receive the state’s compensation. In the case of Lalita, she was provided free medical treatment but was not aware about the compensation. Although Lalita was attacked before the Supreme Court verdict, the court stated in March that every acid victims are eligibility for assistance under the scheme would be implemented, which means Lalita too could approach the government for aid.</div>
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In the Indian case, the 300,000 rupees compensation by the state government to the survivors is not enough for the multiple round of plastic surgeries. Aside from the various efforts by state forces, there is a need to wake up to the issue and raise a collective voice against it. Acid violence seldom kills but results in a permanent scar, both physical and mental.</div>
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There have been several efforts such as free treatments, compensation from the government and, <a href="http://www.funddreamsindia.com/campaign/donae-a-face--take-a-faceless-selfie--donate-a-face-to-an-acid-attack-survivor/242/">‘donate a face’</a> campaign, to support the victims and raise awareness among people about the experiences of the survivors, but they are not sufficient. There is a need for a national, international and regional working group to share information, raise awareness, improve interventions and prevent acid attack violence.</div>
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<a href="http://wordsinthebucket.com/acid-scarred-for-life#_ftnref1"></a><a href="http://wordsinthebucket.com/acid-scarred-for-life#_ftnref1">[1]</a> Dowry is given by bride’s family in form of money or goods and the wife brings to her husband at marriage.</div>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br /><a href="http://wordsinthebucket.com/acid-scarred-for-life" target="_blank">(This piece was written for 'Words In The Bucket' that published on April 29, 2015.)</a></span></u></span></span></h2>
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Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-85433297323159095622015-04-27T13:40:00.003+02:002015-04-28T05:05:41.838+02:00Emergencies: Earthquake Relief Fund for Nepal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hi There,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is Sunita from Nepal. Being a Nepalese, my country is crying for help, we are trying to take a step towards humanity and relief aids for the victims.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw_NkDmlQuUEAzvy5w1FZp5_fHqLI75-lHgY5QljIBYoQ-EjOWnfJ3uraKwLtydqeuPJRvwh6BndBEA9dMgvE76SRBTX1PTggiuiuxlIfd2LvVpYcsI5kDNPvU0UvCs4dBC_Z0w3O3wY2/s1600/Support.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw_NkDmlQuUEAzvy5w1FZp5_fHqLI75-lHgY5QljIBYoQ-EjOWnfJ3uraKwLtydqeuPJRvwh6BndBEA9dMgvE76SRBTX1PTggiuiuxlIfd2LvVpYcsI5kDNPvU0UvCs4dBC_Z0w3O3wY2/s1600/Support.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Even a single cent counts for Nepal Earthquake Victims. Your contribution will save a life</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">#NEPAL NEEDS INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT TO MOVE FORWARD FROM THIS PLIGHT</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At least 3,218 people are now known to have died in a massive earthquake which hit Nepal on Saturday 25th April 2015. Hundreds of people are still missing. Rescue missions and aid have started arriving to help cope with the aftermath of the earthquake, the worst to hit Nepal for more than 80 years. We are trying to make an effort to help with whatever we can. Your small contribution can be a great addition to our cause. The collected sum will be utilized to help the victims of this disaster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The aftermath of disaster has left many people homeless, levering buildings, demolishing road and means of transport. They need food, sanitation, medical supplies and shelters.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOxX6ZbhEUjG8Bf9WJUZ3ghAJ6qb2mI9EkCkQRYvkuNne6g6O-fSHIwEdukHeYWBocobxYcb92kZv568RmeNtqd1Gx94GBAJyx4wtxQCmv4TcRALYTKcTYRihMjoXSgmWichzNI7MUepJ/s1600/support2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOxX6ZbhEUjG8Bf9WJUZ3ghAJ6qb2mI9EkCkQRYvkuNne6g6O-fSHIwEdukHeYWBocobxYcb92kZv568RmeNtqd1Gx94GBAJyx4wtxQCmv4TcRALYTKcTYRihMjoXSgmWichzNI7MUepJ/s1600/support2.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earthquake Victims in Nepal</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please go to <a href="https://life.indiegogo.com/fundraisers/earthquake-relief-fund-for-nepal--10" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5361c1; font-family: 'Whitney SSm A', 'Whitney SSm B', Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Earthquake Relief Fund for Nepal </a> or </span><strong style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help4nepal15" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5361c1; font-family: 'Whitney SSm A', 'Whitney SSm B', Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Givealittle-Cause, Spark Foundation</a></strong><span style="color: #574b4b; font-family: Whitney SSm A, Whitney SSm B, Helvetica, Arial, Nimbus Sans L, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">to donate. You can donate as less as $1 and as much as you want. Please keep supporting by sharing this among your networks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Humanitarian Relief fun</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">d generated will be fully combined </span><span style="font-size: large;">and the fund will directly go towards the affected communities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you all,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sunita Basnet</span></div>
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Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-42754574731049541092015-04-15T01:31:00.001+02:002015-04-15T01:47:56.008+02:00Women Rights Movement: A Journey Through Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Women’s
issues captured attention only in 1962, when the United Nations (UN) General
Assembly asked the women’s commission to prepare a report on the role of women
in the social and development plans. The reasoning behind this was that
economic and social development would enhance women’s status. As a result, the
‘Women in Development’ (WID) approach was introduced in 1970 based on liberal
feminist theory. Immediately, UN general Assembly adopted this approach to
fully integrate women in developmental sectors. It was introduced to
incorporate women in the development process, but it failed to consider women’s
roles. So, in 1975, the first international conference on Women and Development
was held in Mexico City, in combination with the celebrations of international
women year where 7,000 women and men from various nationalities, races, and
creeds, exchanged views and experiences.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">United Nation’s International Women’s Year in 1975. Photo: AND Zentralbild. Source: ARAB</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Needs differentiated according to geographical area. In the North,
especially the industrial countries, women were seeking gender equality in the
work place and home but in the South, especially the newly independent
(emerging) countries, women faced oppression and still had a long way to go to
reach the needs of the North. Rural development had become a major theme for
the advancement of women both at local and national level. An example of this
is the introduction of women in civil society and scholarships for women, which
strengthened the transformation, and connected women and development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">During 1976-85, there was an
institution-building decade for women’s rights and WAD. For example, the UN
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) model was established at regional level to
foster socioeconomic development among its member states and focuses on ICT,
science and Technology for Development. The United Nations Development Fund for
Women (UNIFEM) was set to finance women’s activities in low-income countries
and the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of
Women were established to engage in research and training. However WAD failed
to analyze the relationship between patriarchy, capitalism and marginalization
of women by ignoring the reproductive aspects of women’s work and lives. It
emphasized the value of income-generating activities without considering social
and cultural reproduction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the first human rights treaty for women,
was proposed to eradicate sex-based discrimination and focus on the advancement
of women and girls. It later became a useful tool for women to pressure their
government. For instance, as a consequence of this, in 2002, Nepal went through
the Amendments in Civil Code and granted women’s right to property, divorce
right, the right to abortion and greater punishments for polygamy and rape. A
step forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Later
on, the second women Conference (1980) in Copenhagen recognized that there was
a disparity between women’s guaranteed rights and their capacity to exercise
them. The identified needs were equal access to education; equal access to
employment opportunities; and equal access to adequate health care services.
The consensus was found when representatives of women of the south were ready
to speak more freely about gender relationships.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Conference on United Nations Women’s Decade Meets in Nairobi, 15 -27 July 1985. UN Photo/Milton Grant</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">In
1985, considering a fast increase in poverty worldwide, the third UN Women’s
International Conference, held in Nairobi, wanted to shed light to the
disparity between men and women. And so the Gender and Development (GAD) model
emerged in early 1990s that recognized that women should not be treated in
isolation from men. This model emphasized the social, economic and political
relationship between men and women to raise awareness and consequently improve
women’s equal access to development activities. It also, and rightly so,
recognized the role of men and state in contributing to equity and social
justices, recognizing that the state carried the responsibility to provide
social service. Nonetheless, the most important aspect of this concept was that
it viewed women as active agents of change rather than passive beneficiaries of
development approaches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A
great change came in 1993, when the slogan “women’s rights are human rights”
took hold from the hard work of NGO’s and women’s organizations, in preparation
for the UN world conference on human rights in Vienna. Immediately, violence
against women became a key issue worldwide with an annual 16 days of activism
and petition in 123 countries. This huge growth in the movement was probably
also due to strengthening of the ‘poor and disempowered’ women’s movement in
rural areas and in the informal economy of cities and towns, especially in
India. For example, the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), a movement of
self-employed women in rural and urban India, grew to more than 600,000 members
who believed that India’s “second freedom” was the economic empowerment of
informal and unprotected working women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Women’s human rights provided a new conceptual theme and called
for new strategies; peacemaking and peacekeeping became a new arena for
activists and grassroots organizations, and allowed peasant voices to be heard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The fourth world conference on women was held Beijing in 1995 with
representatives from 189 countries. The agenda included a Platform for Action
and a roadmap to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women
everywhere. As a result of the Beijing Summit Platform for Action, UNIFEM
established a trust fund in 1996 to finance action to eliminate all forms of
violence against women. The UN conference in Vienna became a vehicle to
highlight the new visions of human rights thinking and practice being developed
by women. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">However, as we come closer to our years in this journey through history,
we see there is still much progress to be made towards equality. Although the
UN and its agencies are celebrating 105 years of world women’s movement in New
York this year and despite the various efforts for the advancement of women and
girls in global south and north, there are still problems in gender equality in
terms of labor markets, pay gap, socio-economic and political status.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://www.gettyimages.co.nz/detail/news-photo/women-march-behind-a-banners-as-they-join-other-womens-news-photo/465634292?et=zOzmEh1ySL54zhqd-7Fy2g&referrer=http:%2F%2Fwordsinthebucket.com%2Frevisiting-the-history-of-women-movement" src="http://cache2.asset-cache.net/gc/465634292-women-march-behind-a-banners-as-they-join-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=GkZZ8bf5zL1ZiijUmxa7QfHmVbjNPMbYHUiPZM2bzFn8gOHQQo%2bk6%2fVS%2fAfmwj%2bmegoOKJp8yR853NrqqYpHog%3d%3d" height="449" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MARK RALSTON/AFP" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Photo: MARK RALSTON/AFP</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">As
we come nearer to the new Development goals, a huge stir has been created in
terms of women’s rights and gender equality. One new thing that is being spoken
about, is the role men should actually play in the fight for gender equality. A
solidarity movement similar to the ‘</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><a href="http://www.heforshe.org/">HeForShe</a>’ is
required in order to include men in addressing gender inequality and the gap of
women in socioeconomic and political decision-making.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Marcellus; font-size: 17px; line-height: 29.75px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://wordsinthebucket.com/revisiting-the-history-of-women-movement" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: black;">(This piece was written for 'Words In The Bucket' that published on April 9, 2015.)</span></a></div>
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Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-44900525734845501982012-09-10T17:46:00.000+02:002012-09-13T18:12:56.927+02:00MAINS (Master of Arts in Inter-Asia NGO Studies): An Eye Opening Experiences in My Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There was a crucial dialogue going inside my mind before I make a decision to go to South Korea, as an international student from Nepal. Certainly making the decision was not an easy task for me because Korea as a country was not my first destination for my Master degree, although the MAINS curriculum was my first priority. Mostly what I heard about Korea was that most of the subjects are undertaken in Koreans (although it says that it is in English) for both Koreans and international students. I always wanted to go to the western countries especially English speaking countries and study the same course. Since there is no MAINS program in western countries, my husband, Jeevan Baniya recommends me to join the program in South Korea and ensure that it is in English.</div>
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Living and studying a year in Korea is absolutely incredible experiences that have opened my eyes to a complete new world. I found MAINS as a unique academic institution, not only because the curriculum is in English but MAINS itself is a product of civil society organizations. Now I can say without any hesitation that this is the institution I wanted and have been seeking to study. If I was not here for my Master degree, I can never experience anywhere not even in western countries. </div>
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Let me first begin with MAINS course that has been designed to balance between theory and practice. I feel myself empowered from the courses; I have attended with the profound study of human rights, civil society, democracy, peace and security studies, social movements, feminism and many more. I have found MAINS program related with everything as the study of human affairs and creating a just society. All the students who have admitted in this program are either activists or practitioners and have some prior experiences in their respective field. Sharing the experiences related with the course from various countries broaden the understanding and enhance the curiosity of students.</div>
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On the other hand, the university has provides its every effort to ensure that the actual need of activists and practitioners would reflected in the curriculum. During our second semester, I have some rare opportunities to explore, critically understand and interact with Korean civil society organizations and learn their activities. I am really fascinated and overwhelmed by the activities undertaken by Korean civil society. All of these activities has shown and enlightened me on Korean society. You can find my opinions about Korean CSOs here in my blog (<a href="http://sunitabasnet.blogspot.com/">http://sunitabasnet.blogspot.com</a> ).</div>
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Similarly, while studying at MAINS and attending several conferences that are encouraged, recommended and supported by the university provide me lots of eye-opening experiences in my life. It not only help me broaden my knowledge but also lend a hand to network with likeminded people around the globe. Even the MAINS students from various countries are very caring and endless network. For instance, last month there was a flood in Thailand and all the MAINS students contributed to support the victims by organizing the fundraising campaign. The most interesting things were it was not just the students who care each other but also the MAINS faculties, staffs and board members who actively participated to support our initiative. </div>
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You will never have problem on making friends, although young generation in Korea are little shy to make friends so making Korean friends is a difficult task in Korea especially if you are from developing countries. Several times a total stranger has abruptly asked me, “Where I am from?” and once I answer that I am from Nepal, the conversation just ends there. I am not saying that making Korean friends is impossible. I have few but very good and helpful friends. However, you will have opportunities to make friends from neighboring countries and some of your Korean fellows in the class.</div>
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Staying in a dormitory and sharing a room with two other friends from Burma and Thailand has been a productive experience to understand and respect other culture, lifestyle, and tolerance and improve my English to some extent (since none of them speak in Nepali). Traveling to Korean itself provides an education that one cannot get from any book or receive from any university. Therefore, this is the university I would recommend if you are seeking to work for people and together looking for pursuing your Master Degree.</div>
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(This piece was written for a newsletter that published from the Sungkonghoe University, South Korea)</div>
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Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-71578181648381692782012-09-03T17:33:00.001+02:002015-04-15T02:24:01.203+02:00India-Nepal Bilateral Relations: Impact on Nepal’s Sovereignty <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="apple-style-span"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Introduction</span></b></span></h4>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nepal has a unique strong identity
among the nations of Asia as a sovereign state, but it holds shaky balance
between India and china (Shrestha, 2001, p6), where Bhatt has characterized
triangle Nepal-India-China relationships as “root between two stones”. Indian
and Nepalese have shared the similar “geographical”, “historical”, “cultural”, “social”
and “economic” spheres since times immemorial (</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Mukherji,
2010, p1<span class="apple-style-span">)</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">,</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> but the diplomatic relationship
between Nepal and India is like a ‘legend’ after 1950s because the dynamics of
Indo-Nepal relationship changes after the political changes in Nepal (Thapa,
2010a, p37). The bilateral relationship between these two countries is troublesome
because of the treaties and agreement that have been signed by them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In this essay, I will attempt to explain
how Nepal's sovereignty has been limited in the case of international disputes
especially with India? In doing so, I will be focusing on India’s policies
towards Nepal. Main focus has been given to various treaties and its
consequences for Nepal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RWYaZxpRAk/UETNNk7B8KI/AAAAAAAACV0/xTrZchA2tio/s1600/india-nepal-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RWYaZxpRAk/UETNNk7B8KI/AAAAAAAACV0/xTrZchA2tio/s400/india-nepal-map.jpg" height="317" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map Credit: TopNews.in</td></tr>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Status
of Relationship between Nepal and India since 1950s</span></b></span></h4>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Although Nepal is an independent sovereign
state, it has been an “India-locked” country throughout the history, where
India influences the major aspects of social, economic and political
institutions. The Indo-Nepal friendship was started by the Rana government in
1950 by ratifying two treaties; Treaty of Peace and Friendship (TPF) and Trade
Treaty (TT) by both governments. Ranas started the diplomacy relationship to
avoid political isolation from India, but simultaneously, </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nepalese
who were exiled by Ranas were also creating political parties in Indian territory
to fight against the Rana dictators in Nepal (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Krämer</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">, 1999). After three months from the
signing of the Treaty, the oligarchic Rana regime was replaced to another
hereditary shah monarchy with the help of India, which later brought a mere
touch of democracy (<span class="apple-style-span">Kraemer</span>, 1999;
Kansakar, 2001). However, the then president of the Indian National Congress
went as far as declaring Nepal as a part of India where he noticeably said
“Nepal was always a part of India (<span class="apple-style-span">Kraemer</span>,
1999),” which clearly shows two things regarding Indo-Nepal relationship. <b>First</b>,
India wanted to keep Nepal under its influence for long. <b>Second</b>, India’s “big
brother attitudes” towards Nepal to influence <span class="apple-style-span">political
and economical institutions in state formation</span>. Even the leader of
Nepali National Congress, B.P. Koirala took the same stand saying “Actually
Nepal and India are not two countries” (<span class="apple-style-span">Kraemer</span>,
1999). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">However,
<span class="apple-style-span">the foreign policy between these countries evidently
shows that they are independent and sovereign. Foreign policies are the central
objective to preserving the liberty of states and to maintaining the “balance
of power” (Dune, 1999, p116). Under the TPF both acknowledge and respect state
sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence for diplomatic relations and
industrial and economic developments. It also recognizes the historical and
cultural ties between the people of these countries, thus Nepalese have
identical rights and privilege as Indian citizen in </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">the matter of “residence,” “occupation,”
and “movement”</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
(PUDR, 2002). Similarly, TT provides permission to use Indian Territory as
transit route to reach Calcutta seaport and imports goods including military
equipment for its overseas trade.</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Since the treaty, India is one of
the oldest military suppliers to Nepal (Kansakar, 2001; Thapa 2010a, p55). <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Yet again, several important bilateral
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">negotiations took place to develop both
countries on water management resources (Hamner and Aaron, 1998)<span class="apple-style-span">. In 1954, Koshi river agreement provides full authority
and power to India to design maintenance and repair the barrage. The agreement
has mainly focused on creating high dam to control floods and produce 1800 MW
hydropower to irrigate 3.84 million acres land in India and Nepal (Pun, 2009).
Soon after Koshi agreement, Trisuli agreement (1958), and Gandak irrigation and
power project (1959) (Paul, 2010) was held for the purpose of </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“flood control and management,” development of “hydro-electric
power”<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
“irrigation”, “prevention of erosion” and “navigation” for both countries </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(Ministry of water and power, 1974;
Thapa, 2010).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Since 1950s every political change
in Nepal seeks changes in Indo-Nepal agreements because Nepal’s governments
have</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> had “difficulty accommodating India’s
genuine interests and concerns” (Pandey, 2010)<span class="apple-style-span">. The
anti-Indian sentiments are growing in Nepal because of frequent interference of
India on Nepal’s affairs and the unequal treaties signed in the past. This
began to intensify mainly since King Mahendra introduced one party Panchayet
System in 1962. </span>King Mahendra weakened Indo-Nepal relationship by reducing
Nepal’s dependence on India and developing closer relationship with China. The
relation even frozen in 1969 when Nepal pressed India for substantial
amendments in its favor to revise the existing “unjust” treaties such as
“removing Indian security check-posts stationed in Nepal” and “revoking the
1950 treaty” and “separating treaties for trade and transit in mid 1970s” which
forced India to withdraw check-post from Nepal and agreed to have separate
trade and transit agreement in 1978. In contrast, India insisted negotiating
“renewal treaty” into a “single trade and transit treaty,” that was not
accepted by Nepal because she had an agreement to purchase weapons from Beijing
(Thapa, 2010a; p42-45; Mongabay, n.p.). Consequently,<span class="apple-style-span"> India blockaded Nepal for 15 months in 1988 because Nepal
hesitated to fulfill Indian’s interest. As a result, the country’s economy was
devastating through high inflation and slow economic growth (Khan, Faisal,
Moeed and Aska, 2007; p13; Dahal, 1996; Kumar, 1994, p76). Still, Nepal was
attempting to prove that she is a sovereign independent state and have right to
act in her own interest. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In the aftermath of political
crises by despotic kings’ activities, </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">the
pro-democratic movement<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
led by <span class="apple-style-span">Nepali congress</span> and UFL<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"> restored multiparty democracy in the country which was surprisingly
supported by India (Hachhethu, 1994, p91; Parajulee, 2000; Beretsmann Stiftung,
2009). India has used its diplomatic power in one of the three goals, “to keep
power, to increase power, or to demonstrate power,” as mentioned in Realpolitik
and Raison d’Etat by Barash and Webel (2002, p196). Again after 1990 political
change in Nepal, the new Indo-Nepal relationship created various new bilateral
agreements such as Mahakali integrated development treaty (1990, 1996) Tankapur
Agreement (1991) (Malhotra, 2010), inspite of its differences in the past. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Although the cooperation between
the states exists through various treaties and agreements, it is very difficult
to sustain because those treaties are perceived as “unequal” and “controversial”
by Nepalese counterpart. On the other hand, India always attempts to maximize its
benefits by breaking the treaties and diminishing Nepal’s sovereignty in several
ways: </span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>First</b>, the territory integrity clause of TPF says to keep 1,700 km
between the border of Nepal and India (Khanduri, 2001); however, there are more
than 60 cases of noticeable border disputes with India</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. One of them was Indian fighter
Jet randomly flying over Darchula in Nepalese territory, while “</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">patrolling”
Indian border territories (Nepali, 2009). Furthermore, 22 out of 26 districts
of Nepal bordering India have territorial disputes (Thapa, 2010a). <span class="apple-style-span"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Second,</b> Nepalese have special
status as citizens in India under a bilateral agreement, but she received
Nepalese immigrants as threat. During the 10 years long political upheaval, many
young Nepalese preferred to be a cheap labor immigrant in India </span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(Samantaray, 2008)</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.
<span class="apple-style-span">It is assumed that each hour </span>200 Nepalese
cross the border (Bhattrai, 2007). <span class="apple-style-span">Later they have
settled in Uttarakhand, </span>Bihar, Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa in India<span class="apple-style-span">. Some of these Nepalese from Uttarakhand formed a
national level organization, called the Akhil Bharatiya Nepal Ekta Samaj
(ABNES) to focus on </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">social, cultural and economic amelioration of the
Nepalese in India and</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
unite among migrant Nepalese residing and working in India to provide a life
with dignity and security. However, Indian government banned the organization
under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) in 2002 by accusing them that they
have linked with Nepalese Maoist (Samantaray, 2008; PUDR 2002); whistle India
was the key player of the peace process for the 12 point comprehensive peace
accord (CPA) between Maoists and Seven party alliances (Murthy, 2010b). It
indicates that India uses Nepal’s political and economic developments as it
wish.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There are many questions that arise
and cold the relationship: <i>Why should ABNES is banned under POTA, given the
fact that its members do not involve in any “crimes” and “terrorists”
activities on Indian Territory? Why should Nepalese suddenly become “unwanted”
to India? Why the Nepalese residing in India are forced to give up their life? </i>On
the other hand, Sharma highlighted issues related with Maoist and argues that “although
currently Maoist are under Nepali law and politics, still Maoists are labeled as
“terrorist” in the US and Indian official record” (Sharma, 2011). Moreover, the
Maoists have already come into mainstream politics and have even been the
significant part of the governments since 2007. <i>It may be the reason that they
want to use it as bargaining tool in the future and make them work as they
want</i>.</span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 40pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="apple-style-span" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 40pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Third,</b> TT permits Nepal to use
Indian territory as a transit to </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 40pt;">import
military weapons and equipments for the security of Nepal<span class="apple-style-span"> (Khanduri, 2001), but when Nepal bought some military
weapons from china, India interpreted as Nepal’s violation of agreement to
consult India before buying weapons. T</span>hese agreements have only been
able to best address Indian interests<span class="apple-style-span"> which
indicate that Indian governments are motivated to increase their wealth and or
power through various agreements. <i>Why should sovereign Nepal ‘suffer’ in the
name of ‘treaty’? Why should Nepal be the victims of India’s “big brother
attitudes”? Is it because Nepal is small, poor and land-locked country? </i>It
might be that India sees modern military technology shifting the balance of
power between states, as Baylis says, about ‘the problem of difficulties in
international co-operations’.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Fourth</b>, according to the KRP agreement,
Bihar state government is responsible to maintain and repair the Koshi
embankment (Mukunda, 2008), but their negligence has collapsed the embankment displacing
more than 50,000 people in Nepal and between 2 to 2.5 million people in India (The
Times of India, 2008; Pun, 2009). The catastrophe fuelled by flood has brought
various disputes between the Bihar and the central government for their negligence
on the embankment and between Nepal and India about the issues of compensation
(Malhotra, 2010; Pun, 2009).</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> However, there should be clear
focus on what as Amrtya Sen notes, individual human lives at the core of the
human security concept (Sen cited in Lee, 2011a). Prachanda, the then prime
minister of Nepal also named as “historical mistakes” after visiting the
affected areas. It was urged that both governments should work together to
compensate the victims rather than blaming each other in the time of such
crisis. The former ambassador to Nepal, KV Rajan
also highlighted the needs to cooperate between Nepal and India after the Koshi
tragedy, although <i>the treaties “heavily favor” India and few so-called elites
in Nepal</i> (Housden, 2008) as Rajan emphasized in his speech. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Fifth</b>, the Mahakali agreement was
to produce 600MW hydropower by 2002 for irrigating agricultural land in both
countries, but again the flaws lies in the agreement which is </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">now
basically defunct<span class="apple-style-span">. It specifies that Nepal would
get 4% of the water supply but still lack the amount of water India received from
the project (eKantipur, 2009; Thapa, 2010a, p180). <i>How would Nepal respond if
India received 96% of the total water? Should the friendship continue even
after the </i></span><i>exploitation of the water resources of the Mahakali River</i><span class="apple-style-span"><i>? Is India “hydro-hegemon” regarding water resources
treaties?</i> Since Nepal’s water resources are one of the core areas of interests
of India, they have always kept keen eyes on it. Even the Indian government
often lobbies, pressurizes and even sometimes threatens Nepal to entertain
Indian companies to invest in many hydro-projects of Nepal. India argues that,
based on the treaty, it should be given the first priority. It is very clear
that India will be always willing to maintain its upper hand on foreign
investment in hydro-power generating in Nepal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; word-break: normal;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <b>Sixth</b>,
the growing imbalance trade between Nepal and India, where there was a decline
of $1.1billion exports through various special regulation and restrictive
requirements such as tariff in four sensitive items (Das, 2010, p18; </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Mukherji,
2010, p6<span class="apple-style-span">)</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span class="apple-style-span">, non-tariff restrictions and quarantine tests, although
Indian trade makeup Nepal’s 63.9% of total trade (</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2009</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">).
Moreover, India is one of the largest foreign investors in Nepal, but the labor
unrest, lack of power supply and raw material has hindered the business and
overlooked the agreement, which have become the main issues for Indian
government. The Maoist trade union attacked on Dabur Nepal</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">has resulted in a loss of about Rs.
130 million per day to Dabur Nepal. Mukherji argues that strike has become
India’s main concern in every bilateral trade talk that </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">breached the agreement signed</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> between workers and officials (Mukherji,
2010, p30-32). <i>The Maoists in Nepal have been pursuing some policies that are
not in favor of India. It might be the reason why India is heavily involved in keeping
the Maoists out of the government in Nepal and building anti-Maoists camp
stronger</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 40pt; word-break: normal;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Finally</b>,
Tanakpur project was conducted in 1983-84 using the international border river
that flows between these countries in Indian Territory but she thought that the
project “was entirely built by Indian money for the Indians, by the Indians and
on the Indian land” (Kumar, 1994, p79). When Nepal asked about the project before
it get materialized, she ignored Nepal’s request but later when the project was
visible, India suggested that it is of “no concern to Nepal”, since it was
built in India’s land, which Kumar claims India “cheated” Nepal in water
resources management cooperation. India finally consulted with Nepal, when she
realized that she needed to construct </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">an
afflux bund on Nepalese soil to deliver desired amount of water or electricity in
making the project successful in India.<span class="apple-style-span"> The controversy
again arouse when India denied giving 25 out of 125 megawatts to Nepal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 40pt; word-break: normal;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Undoubtedly, Indian imperialism</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> of new form might bring another
“state of war” against Indian government and local people in Nepal, as Dunne
claims that the causes of war can occur from imperialism, or the balance of
power, or undemocratic regimes (Dunne 1997, p148). This colonial mindset of
India and its ill-treatment to its neighbors in South Asia has been producing
widespread disenchantment and resentment among the citizens of those countries,
which is a very disturbing development for India’s future International
relations. It shows that India always want to expand her “hegemony power” in
Nepal and will relate to Nepal when needed. <i>I strongly agree with
constructivists thinking that “anarchy is what states make of it” in
international relations</i> (Baylis, 1999; p204). Baylis also highlighted the difficulties
of co-operation between states when other states deceive on any agreements to
gain more benefits. <i>The violation of each and every agreement has become the
security issues between India and Nepal which have brought insecurity in the
name of finding “security” and “identity,” as Lee discussed in “critical
security studies</i>” (Lee, 2011a).</span></span><br />
<h4>
<b style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 40pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">India-Nepal
Relationship after Post conflict Era</span></b></h4>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-US">Normally,
Nepal maintained her usual </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 150%;">diplomatic, economic
and military relations with India within and after the insurgency. But t<span class="apple-style-span">he role of
India with regard to Maoist insurgency has remained very complicated. Although
Maoists were ideologically and practically anti-Indian, they received support</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"> from India (Murthy, 2010b; Thapa, 2010a) during their
Insurgency as well during signing of Comprehensive Peace Agreements in 2005,
which pitched the path towards peace
process and constitution writing process through Constituent Assembly. Neither
the direct rule imposed by the then king was accepted by India, nor the people’s
uprisings to overthrown the despotic king were supported by India because she thought
that the king did not consult with her before imposing the rule but she also
did not want to overthrow the then king (Thapa, 2010a, p 48).</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">After the decade long political chaos, the winning of Maoists in the
CA election have also affected Indo-Nepal relationship (Murthy, 2009). Although
India was one of the first countries to congratulate Maoists, she was very much
surprised with the election result (Murthy, 2010). Indian BJP leader Jaswanta
Singh </span></span><span lang="EN-US">was
not ready to accept Maoists as a ‘legitimate’ political actor to govern
sovereign Nepal</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">,</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> even though Maoists secured
one third of the majority </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">(</span></span><span lang="EN-US">Adhiakry, 2008</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">). </span></span><span lang="EN-US">He </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">shared his extreme disappointment at the party national executive,
arguing </span></span><span lang="EN-US">“</span><span lang="EN-US">The coming to power of Communists in Nepal was in no way a good sign
for India and this should be accepted (CNN-IBN, 2008)</span><span lang="EN-US">”. Why should the Maoist be the problem to
Indian political party, if it is accepted by Nepalese people?</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">The relationship between Maoist and
India even froze, when The Maoist-led coalition government broke a tradition flying
to Beijing for the closing ceremony of Olympics.</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn12" name="_ftnref12" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US"> Maoist thinks that India cannot be
helpful in building a “New Nepal”</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn13" name="_ftnref13" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US"> (CNN-IBN, 2008), thus, Prachanda, the
then prime minister wanted to encourage and reassure Chinese investments and
private run-business (BBC, 2008) to be less dependent with India. Furthermore,
w</span></span><span lang="EN-US">hen Prachanda sacked chief of the army, Rookmangud
Katawal for refusing to integrate PLA (Hindustan Times, 2009); India gave a pressure
to reinstate him (Telegraph Nepal, 2010; Murthy, 2009). <span class="apple-style-span">During the television address to nation, the then prime
minister Prachanda said that his government was “encircled” from various actors
and was not allowed to work independently (Yogi, 2009). Although he did not
mention about the forces that restricted Maoist-led government to work
independently, it was clear that he were referring to India. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">Immediately after their resignation, the
Maoist leaders started movement targeting India and arguing that the then prime
minister, MK Nepal, is acting at the behest of New Delhi and India has become
more vital than “civilian supremacy” (Murthy 2010). For instance, when the
Indian army chief announced that Indian army is against the integration of
Maoist combatants, immediately Nepal Army stood extremely against the
integration. Maoists also </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">boycott </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">Indian activities,</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">organized
mass mobilization and protests in various point of Indo-Nepal borders and
burned the treaties. To warm the relationship, the Indian embassy had to release
the statement saying that they were not the view of the government (Murthy,
2010) but later Wikileaks published the secrete talk between Nepal and Indian
foreign minister FM Mukherjee, where Mukherjee shared Indian increasing
security concerned and demanded that the PLA should not integrate “under any
circumstances”</span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn14" name="_ftnref14" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US"> (</span></span><span lang="EN-US">Wikileaks,
2011<span class="apple-style-span">). Till today, the rehabilitation and
integration of 19,602 verified Maoist combatants</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn15" name="_ftnref15" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"> (Yogi, 2009; Siwakoti, 2010, P72) have not been
addressed, despites the peace accord in 2006. India seems to have been lobbing
to discourage any group wise integration of the Maoists combatants. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sometimes the statements and visits
by diplomats make things worse in international repercussions. When the third
time to elect the prime minister from the cabinet was failed, the visited of
the former ambassador to Nepal, Shyam Saran on the ‘eve of forth election’ was
understood as very important political visit. Some argued that it was to isolate
Maoist, stopping them from forming a government and encourage </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">the
Madhesi to vote against Maoists<span class="apple-style-span">. While other
argued that the visit was to bring “peace and stability” and to help to form a
national unity government in Nepal (Murthy, 2010a). Whatever reason was about
the visit, state sovereignty has been violated to some extend to pursue Indian
purpose as Barash and Webel mentioned about state sovereignty in the book peace
& conflict studies (2002, p191). A month ago, Indian Ambassador to Nepal held
a meeting with NC and expressed his concerned about the combatant integrations
and CA election extension (eKantipur, 2011). Very recent development is another
example of how India has been playing on Nepal’s politics. When the current
government led by Jhalanath Khanal of NCP-UML (which has the strong supports of
the Maoits) was planning to extend the deadline of constitution writing with
two-third majority if other parties (mainly the Nepali Congress and few Madhesh-based
parties) don’t agree on consensual extension, the Tarai-based party, Nepal
Madheshi Forum was split. And many news reports quoting the high ranking
politicians of the party have stated that there was the ‘hand of foreign
forces’ and ‘politics of money’ behind the split. As a result of the split, the
Maoists backed party was not in a situation to extend the deadlines as it
wanted. This is how even the government formation, peace process and the
constitution writing process has been complicated. </span>It<span class="apple-style-span"> is understandable </span>that India wants to establish
the government that will fulfill her interest in Nepal,<span class="apple-style-span"> which Dunne defines state as anarchic system.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn16" name="_ftnref16" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<h4>
<b style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Conclusion</span></b></h4>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> State sovereignty means “equality of
states,” “exclusive representation,” “non-interference,” “monopoly of force,”
“identity,” and “no higher authority within a state” (Lee, 2011) but it has
been challenged and denied in many aspects through poverty, illiteracy,
inequality, international relation and globalization. The Nepal’s case that I
presented above clearly supports it. The new definition of sovereignty from responsibility
to protect (R to P) defines </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“<span class="apple-style-span">sovereignty is </span>a protection of its population,
and if for some reason state cannot or will not work, the international
community has the residual responsibility to intervene” (Gomez, 2011; Lee 2011b),
that means sovereign state should fulfill “state responsibility” as a provider,
if not it will lose its legitimacy to claim as a “sovereign state” in the eyes
of the international community. However, <span class="apple-style-span">it is
equally important to focus on how sovereignty is granted in realism, for, every
state’s dignity because<b> </b>people have
particular way of understanding state and sovereignty. </span>Considering both
definition of state sovereignty, Nepal is a sovereign state, and<span class="apple-style-span"> always has been seeking to maintain its independence
from India</span>. However, Nepal has been indirectly colonized by India
historically.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Since
2008, both countries have given priorities to their bilateral ties during their
diplomatic exchanges. There have been several talks and discussions with Indian
leaders to revise the bi-lateral agreements (Rajamohan, 2004), but none of
these talks have come to the concrete conclusion.<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftn17" name="_ftnref17" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">[17]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Thus, there is a need to think whether both countries should live on the
bilateral relationship of the past, despites of Indian imperialism and “big
brother attitudes”. India should prepare to change her attitude, <span class="apple-style-span">recognize Nepalese expectations to bring peace and
foster democracy, stops splitting the political parties and </span>accept Nepal
as a sovereign state, rather than viewing Nepal through a colonialist lens. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It
will be a great mistake for India if she thinks that “the strong do what they
have the power to do and the weak accept what they have to accept (Dunne, 1999;
p111).” The lesson to be learnt from Indo-Nepal relationship is that <i>liberal democratic
states are not always peaceful as we have imagined and thought. They do not
immediately go to the war, but there is a high probability that they can
involve in the war in the coming future when their relationship gets colder</i>. Because,
democratic values, as Bruce Russett argues, will not eliminate war, but power
and strategic consideration affect states’ decisions to fight each other
(Baylis, 1999, p202). Therefore, there is a great need of collaboration and
cooperation to remove all types of discrimination between Nepal and India, but
simultaneously, <span class="apple-style-span">Nepal has to regulate the border
to develop and fulfill the national interest as India has been increasingly
concerned about its security in recent years when it faces growing challenges
both form terrorist attacks and the Indian Maoists security threat.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As
Nepal has historically remained an Independent nation and, in Thapa’s words, ‘no
foreign flag has ever flown over our land like any other independent nation,
people of Nepal hold a perpetual desire to have a dignified sovereign existence
and a slavish puppet state would be intolerable’ (IPCS, 2010). Nepalese people,
who are more aware about the history and are more mobilized, will always defy
any interference and ill-treatment to them from any countries. In the
globalized world, the existence, security, peace and development are all
interdependent. Hence, India as an immediate neighbor of Nepal should do away
with its traditional diplomacy towards Nepal and behave it as a separate
independent nation – which is good for India’s long term security interests as
well.<span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div>
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<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-indent: 40.0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> After the agreement, <span class="apple-style-span">India have
permitted to provide about 15 transit routes within Indian territory and six customs-post
along Nepal-India border.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-indent: 40.0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> According to Paul, Nepal has the highest (85000 Mega Watt)
potential to produce hydropower in the region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""></a><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span>
It is <span class="apple-style-span">also known as </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">P</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">eople’s </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">M</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ovement because </span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nepalese gained sovereignty to influence social, economical
and political institution in state formation. It restores multi-party democracy
with a bicameral legislation, rule of law, independent judiciary and a
catalogue of fundamental human rights. It has brought four successive
democratic achievements like “legalization and freedom of political parties”,
“abolition of all Panchayat institutions”, “drafting constitution against the
prerogative of the king” and “constitutional monarchy.” The popular movement
restored the democracy after the 49 days demonstrations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10pt;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The UFL consists of seven left parties: Marxist-Leninist,
Marxist, Fourth Convention, Rohit, Verma, Manandhar and Amatya. It was also
supported by students, civil society organizations
such as I/NGOs, intellectuals, professors, teachers, students and
professionals, which was 49 days popular movement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Malgun Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="X-NONE"> According to the CIA fact book, </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nepal
shares 1690 kilometers with India in three sides of Nepal. The number of
disputes is still debatable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""></a><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10pt;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span>
During the political chaos, India remains the first choice for a large
‘illiterate,’ ‘unskilled’ and ‘marginal’ population, which consists of almost
80% of the total population of Nepal because of the open unregulated border.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-indent: 40.0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10pt;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The agreement <span class="apple-style-span">provides the
full ‘autonomy’ and ‘responsibility’ to India in making Nepalese lives more
secure from the affect of barrage regardless of Nepalese own territory. With
the consideration of the agreement, India is responsible to compensate the loss
of land from the barrage because the agreement.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-indent: 40.0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10pt;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The export of </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Vanaspati (vegetable fats), acrylic yarn, copper
products and zinc oxide has imposed tariff-rate quote 100000, 10000, 7500 and 2500
metric tons per year respectively by the government of </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Nepal. Nepali
Vanaspati takes the full market of India which winds up some Vanaspati
manufacturers in Eastern India because they were unable to meet the
competition. For more information on the tariff quota, please follow the link:
http://www.ris.org.in/images/RIS_images/pdf/dp163_pap.pdf.</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn9">
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="word-break: normal;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" title=""></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd. is a joint venture of Dabur India Ltd that owned
80% of the total investment started on November 1992. The company produces
herbal hair oil, toothpowder, glucose-D, Confectionary, fruit juice, perfumes,
honey processing and medicinal plants.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="word-break: normal;">
<span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="text-indent: 40pt;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10pt;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" style="text-indent: 40pt;" title="">[10]</a></span></span></span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 40pt;"> According to Barash and Webel, <span class="apple-style-span">Imperialism refers to the policy of extending one’s rule
over other, foreign people. For more information, please refer the book P<i>eace and Conflict Studies</i>, p.248.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn11">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11" title=""></a><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10pt;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maoists
<span class="apple-style-span">were operating from Indian soil during insurgency
from 1996 to 2006 and the India was one of the main key players to bring the
Maoist in the mainstreams of politics in Nepal.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn12">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref12" name="_ftn12" title=""></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Malgun Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nepal has a long historical tradition
that every newly elected prime minister should first visit India after they are
elected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn13">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref13" name="_ftn13" title=""></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: NO-BOK; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10pt;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> It is assumed that the</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"> New Nepal will actively fight against all the
discrimination including women, dalit so-called untouchable, and
underprivileged & disadvantages groups of Nepal. It will be a federal state
that gives the right of autonomy and self determination to all cultural and
ethnics groups</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn14">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref14" name="_ftn14" title=""></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: NO-BOK; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10pt;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span class="apple-style-span">Although
the secrete talk took place on 6/18/2007 but it was only published on March 15,
2011. FM also demanded to punish Maoists for their abuses.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="text-indent: 40pt;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref15" name="_ftn15" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 40pt;" title="">[15]</a></span></span></span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 40pt;"> Previously the registered Maoist combatants were 31,318 but
only 19,602 fulfilled the standard requirements as stated in the June 2008
agreement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="text-indent: 40pt;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref16" name="_ftn16" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 40pt;" title="">[16]</a></span></span></span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 40pt;"> For more information please refer to the Chapter “Realism”
by Timothy Dunne in the book, the Globalization of world Politics, An
introduction to International Relations.</span></div>
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<span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="text-indent: 40pt;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/jeevanb_adm/Desktop/Final%20Edited/final_essay.doc#_ftnref17" name="_ftn17" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 40pt;" title="">[17]</a></span></span></span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 40pt;"> One of the discussions was during the Maoist-led government
in 2008, where the prime ministers of both countries agreed to review, adjust,
and update all the treaties and agreements that has been signed between these
countries since 1950 and released the joint statements. </span></div>
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Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-66489620491590480442012-01-26T15:18:00.000+01:002012-09-13T18:40:44.793+02:00Special Report on Wake Up Call Nepal and Their Movement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Sagar Prasai</td></tr>
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<br />The <a href="http://www.ourwakeupcall.org/">Wake Up Call</a> is a global movement that is uniting youth worldwide under one message on one day: "World, this is a Wake Up Call". As a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wake-Up-Call-Nepal/131702100280836">Wake Up Call Nepal</a> Chapter, inititally A bunch of young people (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/bishnuharitripathi">Bishnu HariTripathi</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=530134988">Nilima Raut</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sagarprasai">Sagar Prasai</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1041045448">Saurav Raj Pant</a>,and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dearsunita">Sunita Basnet</a>) have get together to demand the Ministry of Local Development to build physically disabled people friendly buildings in the urban centers of the country and are submitting the letter along with the 10,000 signatures. Physically disabled people's Issues has been highlighted by the Wake Up Call Nepal.<br /><br /><br /> It is necessary for the Nepal government to build physically disable friendly urban structures and toilets in the city for the easy access to them. Even in the Capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, it seems almost impossible for the accessibility of the disabled people in every public places like colleges, universities, restaurants, supermarkets, hospitals and shopping malls. Every government offices that are responsible to provide basic services to the citizens lacked physically disabled friendly structures. In such condition, people who are physically weak, especially wheel chair people are living very dejected life. For example, despite the fact that they have enormous capacity and proven expertise, they are deprived to read their favorite subject in colleges and cannot go to their favorite shopping malls and shopping centers.<br /><br /> On top of that, every public toilet in cities is not equipped for the disabled. Today, we are talking about the different rights and services in the country and around the globe for the marginalized groups but a disabled person in Kathmandu and other cities of Nepal are out of basic rights and services. In this present where every countries of the world have started to build the physically disable friendly structures but it is very frustrating and unfortunate that our country is lacking behind. Not only the disable people of our country but the disable people who may visit Nepal as tourist tomorrow may have to face difficulties in every steps and it is easy to guess how they publicize this issues in their home country.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br />Realizing this situation, they are going to submit a letter to Ministry of Local Development of Nepal, which is the outcome of the Wake Up Call Nepal Chapter Movement to take immediate steps towards building physically disabled friendly urban structures in the city. It further broadly emphasizes the understanding of the access and mobility issues experienced by the people with disabilities and to identify and specify the steps that can be taken in addressing these inequalities.<br /><br /><br />A major outcome of the International Year of Disabled Persons was the formation of World Program of Action concerning Disabled persons (WPA), adopted by the General Assembly on 3rd December, 1982 by resolution 37/52. The European Commission also highlighted the Design forAll (DFA) in seeking a more user- friendly society in Europe where urban design ensures that environment, products, services and interfaces should work for all ages and abilities in different situations and under various circumstances. Accessibility for physically disabled people has been practice in the urban centers of the world, for example Curitiba's public transportation in Brazil, wheelchair access ramps in Wroclaw, Poland and other utilities such astactile paving, automatic doors and low-floor buses.<br /><br />Therefore, they would like to demand the government of Nepal to implement a policy to supervise and assess the plans for new buildings, and promote the equalization of opportunities for the physically disabled. Further, they demand for the strong government leadership and commitment to adopt this policy must be present in order for disability equality to be includedin the new constitution of Nepal. <br /><br /> I just signed the petition "<a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/ministry-of-local-development-of-nepal-promote-the-equalization-of-opportunities-for-the-physically-disabled">Ministry of Local Development of Nepal: Promote the Equalization of Opportunities for the Physically Disabled</a>" and wanted to see if you could help them by adding your name. They need your support to reach 10,000 signatures. <br /><br />Shortly,, How can you support Wake Up Call Nepal's Movement<br />1. Like their Facebook Page:<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wake-Up-Call-Nepal/131702100280836">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wake-Up-Call-Nepal/131702100280836</a><br /><br />2. USE their LOGO as your profile picture<br />3. Sign the Petition: <a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/ministry-of-local-development-of-nepal-promote-the-equalization-of-opportunities-for-the-physically-disabled">https://www.change.org/petitions/ministry-of-local-development-of-nepal-...</a> (HELP THEM TO COLLECT 10,000 SIGNATURES)<br />4. Follow WAKE UP CALL NEPAL in Twitter @WUCNepal<br />5. Blog About THEM - but please let THEM know if you do so!<br />Please SHARE AND SHARE AND SHARE ...LETS SUPPORT EACH OTHERS.. HELP THEM TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. Collecting 10,000 signature IN 25 DAYS is not a joke and they need you. If you want to actively participate in this movement, please send them email at wakeupcallnepal@gmail.com . Once you're done, please ask your friends to sign the petition as well. Grassroots movements succeed because people like you are willing to spread the word!</div>
Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-66559448552961204562011-11-24T04:30:00.000+01:002011-11-24T04:50:07.076+01:00Nepalese Women at the Crossroads: Which Road to Choose?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nepal is one of the smallest and least developed countries in the world yet rich in diversity in geography, culture and social system. Nepal has above 100 castes and ethnicities, over 90 languages, various cultures and traditions. This diversity has brought severe disparities between men and women. The geography of the country has restricted physical mobility of women within their locality. Today more than 80% of the total population live in rural areas, where 60% are women who undertake 66% of the agricultural labor and has contributed 40% of the total GDP. However, their work has neither been acknowledged nor recognized. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">They have little access to the economic resources they generate. Although the agricultural sectors employs majority of the labor force, a part of the population in rural areas is unable to afford their basic needs itself, modern amenities aren</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Cambria Math', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">t anywhere close to available. In every society, men and women are considered as equals. However, this belief is far away when it comes to practice in Nepal. Nepalese society has created a distinct role for men and women since its formation. Men and women have different roles, norms and opportunities. Women especially in rural areas work more than 15 hours -From early in the morning till late night, they</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Cambria Math', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">re involved in dom</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">estic chores and agricultural work too. Still their work have not been acknowledged and recognized.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The girls are expected to help their mother from an early age and are detained to the 'inside world'- to learn the household drudgery to be a perfect 'home maker'- dutiful and loyal wife, loving mother, subservient and service provider; while boys are prepared to live in the 'outside world'- to involve in productive work- work that generates money in the form of salary, wages or income decision making etc. In many families this discrimination has been accepted as a culture of the family. Women especially in rural areas are forced to accept this strong and unjust social structure with silence. Since they are born, they are made to believe that these extreme prejudices are their fate and ensue from their „bad deeds</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Cambria Math', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‟</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> in the previous life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In Nepal, most of the parents still strongly prefer sons over daughters because the society recognizes sons only as their child and gives full rights only to sons to carry the family name, perform death rituals and rite. Likewise, sons are considered as insurance for parents in their old age. As a result, parents prefer to wait just to give birth to a son (dhilo paye, chhora paye) in the name of preserving traditional customs. It is widely believed in “traditional families” that the birth of a son paves their way to heaven (chhora paye swarga jaane), therein fosters the derogatory attitude towards daughters. This obligates many women to give birth until they have a son. In this case, their bodies are treated like child bearing machines. These disparities still prevail in Nepalese society regardless of the feminist movement and their efforts to challenge the Supreme Court to take initiative in eliminating gender based inequalities.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Socio-cultural preferences and poverty have also contributed to increase the death of rural women during the complication in pregnancy and child delivery. Most health care services are available in cities and towns and are beyond the accessibility and affordability of rural people. Alternatively, the local health centers which are accessible (generally located in distant places) even lack sufficient common medicines. Modern medical equipment and health experts in rural areas are far from the imagination of local people. As a result, rural people are forced to believe in/rely on local traditional healers.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Many families in rural areas still hold a negative attitude towards women</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Cambria Math', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">s education that not only keep women in a lower status but also restricts them from greater participation in social, political and economic activities. A son</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Cambria Math', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">s education is considered important, and even if daughters are sent to school, they are sent to government (public) schools where the tuition till secondary education is free and the exam fee is very minimal, considering daughters to be given away as a “gift” in marriages in the name of a traditional practice called kanyadaan. Therefore, investing in daughters</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Cambria Math', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‟</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> education is seen as a disincentive for parents. Equally, other contributing factors for restricting women from attending school are: excessive workload of the households, poor economic conditions of parents, unaffordable education fees, lack of toilets, lack of female teachers and other facilities. Thus, girls are often left behind through socio-cultural practices from equal access to education.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This illiteracy has lagged women far behind men in access to material resources such as property including home and land ownership. The central bureau of statistics shows that only 10.84 women have access to land ownership compared to 89.16% of men. It also reveals that women consisting 50.04% of the total population barely has 5.51% of home ownership. Until 2002, women were not allowed to transfer citizenship to their children. Citizenship is one of the fundamental legal documents to buy land but rural people especially women are not even aware of its use and their rights. This lack of awareness has deprived their children from various social benefits that are provided by the states and agents.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Having born and brought up in this type of environment, the question that often comes to my mind is Who is responsible for this situation of women? Women who work more than 15 hours are often blamed for not doing anything and beaten by their partners. Their work is neither recognized nor acknowledged by the family and the society. And now, I finally believe, that we've reached the Crossroads.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The path now, is ours to choose. And we have to choose wisely, because every crossroad holds an unknown path, an adventure perhaps, or the road to hell….. But be forewarned, there is only One road to Heaven, and there are Nine to Hell!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A woman, in many places, is treated with respect and love, like a Goddess even. I wish that there comes a day when this comes true in Nepal too, then there will be bliss, Nepal will no more be blue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f6f6f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">This article was originally published in IU e-magazine (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.iuindia.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #0000cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">www.iuindia.com</span></a></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f6f6f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">) in India on November 20, 2011. </span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-28569297892032390562011-11-05T09:21:00.000+01:002011-11-05T09:25:36.353+01:00The Role of International Community to Promote Human Rights in Syria<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Syrian_uprising" target="_blank">Syria</a> uprising has been influenced by the concurrent protest and successful pro-democratic movement in the region especially in the Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. After the fall of Gadhaffi regime in Libya, the opposition ‘radical’ groups are calling for the resignation of the president Bashar al-Assad for the democratization in Syria. There are number of options open to international community to interferences in Syria such as military, economic and diplomatic. However, it is hard to say what can be the best option to promote human rights and justices in Syria because there are still the substantial numbers of populations who support the authorities and recently around 2 million people protest against western interferences. Before we provide the best solution to stop violence in Syria from my point of view, we need to go to the history and find out how the revolution or violence happened in Syria. It would be unfair just to take one stand either from government or opposing groups. Currently, there are debates on whether the external interferences would be the best option to stop human rights issues in Syria or not. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporters for Assad Regim @Courtesy Google</td></tr>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">When the protests first erupted, the protesters clamored for the repeal of the emergency laws, democratic elections, presidential term limits, freedom of expression and an independent judiciary and equal rights for Kurds. It clearly shows that the problem started with political problems and the solution should also be found within the political framework. I firmly believe that problems emanate within Syria and the problem should be solved from inside. Interruption from outside may pose a greater damage and might escalate the problem. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interruption also endangers more lives of civilians. Therefore, Syria unrest is the matter of “domestic affairs” and every country should respect the sovereignty of Syria. Syrian has right to self determination to decide about their country. This does not mean that I am supporting the Asad’s regime.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> States must respect the “peaceful” protest and the aspirations of their citizens, but it is also the states responsibility to protect those citizens when protestors involve in violent action.<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;"> The violence in Syria is the conflict of political approaches so the solution should be found within the political framework rather than providing arms, weapons and any other support by international communities that can foster war and violence. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">On, the other hand, the government is blaming foreign conspiracies for the situation because there have been several reports that after the fall of Gadhaffi regime, the “radical” opposing groups have been supported and are expecting</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> foreign sponsors especially for supporting weapons to them, calling international community to declare “no fly zone” and acting outside the law.<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;"> We need to understand that violence do not start from one side given the facts that the “radical” opposing groups are demanding for the death of the president by hanging and even killing numerous soldiers. This forces us to ponder, Is Syria the next Libya? Is President Al-Assad the nest Gadhaffi? We need to find out the legitimate actor to bring the violence and should be taken to the fair trial. </span></span>Violence is unaccepted at any cost whoever the perpetrators are. <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">In September, the EU imposed an embargo on crude oil imports and banned EU firs from investment in Syria’s oil industry. US also declared an economic sanction against Syria. I personally do not think that economic sanctions (especially oil embargo, sanctions on banks and telecoms) against Syria will solve the promote human rights in the country rather should banned all the sale and support of weapons and purchase of arms to Syria not only to the authorities but also to protestors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The economic sanction should be immediately withdraw against Syria</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> because it might further exacerbate the situation. <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;">I am glad that the UN Security Council fails to adopt draft resolution condemning Syria’s crackdown because the history has clearly shows that any external interferences that starts with economic sanction either lead to the greater casualties of human lives or ended up with military interferences. For instance, in Iraq from 1990-2003 is one of the examples that shows economic sanctions directly and negatively affected innocent people rather than despotic leaders. Another example is also the North Korea where economic sanctions failed to collapse the leaders rather it has affected millions of people who are starve to death.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Human Rights groups reported that the death toll ranged above 3000 and over 10,000 people has been arrested by authorities and several armies have been killed by protestors. However there is no exact information about casualties and human rights violation by protestors and authorities. Most of the videos and reports are based on the protestor’s side. Therefore, the separate commission should immediately establish to inquiry, investigate all alleged violations of human rights law by the authorities and protestors. </span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a fear that the collapse of the president might “provoke conflict, destabilize the region and create a destructive impact on the Middle East.” I even doubt if the resignation/collapse of president would bring any significant changes. Considering the situation of Syria, </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">the best way out of the situation is to refuse a conflict and bring parties together to devise intra-Syrian political process. In doing so, <a href="http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/" target="_blank">Qatar and the Arab League</a> <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;">can play the mediation activities in freeing detainees who haven’t committed crime, create an environment to foster peaceful dialogue with authorities and opposition groups and force the government to follow on reform and favor gradual change. On the other hand, </span></span>the opposition groups should immediately give up armed insurrection and engage with authorities for peaceful dialogue. In this case, the international community can request opposite group to come forward for peace discussion. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><em>This is the personal opinion of the author and is based on the debate during the class MAINS Global Human Rights. Author would like to thanks all the participants for their meaningful contribution.</em></span></div>
</span></span></span></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0South Korea Gyeonggi-do Seongnam-si Sujeong-gu Sujin 1(il)-dong 24037.439974052270571 127.133789062534.201909552270571 122.08007806250001 40.678038552270571 132.1875000625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-75732917788570697952011-10-22T12:36:00.000+02:002011-10-22T12:36:19.510+02:00Book Review: Critical Approaches to International Security<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">K.M. Fierke republished the <em>Critical Approaches to international Security</em> in 2008 that contains 235 pages. There are total nine chapters which mostly challenge the traditional concept of security and its understanding in international studies. The purpose of the book is to analyze the debate about security in relation to “war on terrorism”. Critical security studies have been distinguished from longer traditional security studies by raising questions about historical location and their theory. Various range of concepts such as relationship between security and change, identity, the production of danger, trauma, human security, immanent critique and emancipation are discussed. Although some of the concept were very complex and even challenged my capacity on understanding of security, overall I like this book. It has been able to challenge the narrow military definition of security based on cold war and political manifestation. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chapter 1 “Definitions and Redefinitions” argued that the narrow traditional definitions of security are always political and contextually bound because it always define within political context. The traditional approaches tend to assumed that security is a property of objects in the world. It was understand as military as the threat and use of the force. However, other argues that the meaning change over time especially post 9/11. This chapter mostly highlighted that state as protectors of its population and at the same time, it can also be a source of threat. It also describes how a security of one state can be a threat of others.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Chapter 2 “The Proliferation of Concepts” mostly focuses on why post war security is ethnocentric? According to ethnocentric, it draws Europe and America as center and others as rest. This chapter argues that the need to an alternative approach based on analysis of security cluster. For instance, China as a security threat, Has China Military threatened to any other country to justify china as a security threat? However, one party system, internal oppression and Tibetan colonization all of these make us think that china is a security threat. It requires rethinking and mapping relationship that constitutes various threats to human life. The security can be diverse while localizing the own idea of security.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Chapter 3 “Change” explores the problem of change and emphasized how change comes out of interactions. This chapter mainly analyze between human nature as social construction. It examines the idea that war is a social construction especially gender construction which is mostly about famine and masculine. Then it questions about relationship between structure and agents through the analysis of conflict to dialogue and peace to war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I totally agree with the notion of peace that “peace is not the absence of war but is the absence of violence.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Chapter 4 “Identity” analyzed the several aspects of identity and its importance of discourse analysis in relation to security. The author challenged the notion of fix identity and argued that identities are constructed through the process of interactions and highlighted four dimensions which might overlap with each others. Alterity, fluidity, constructedness, and multiplicity are the dimension of identity. It also examines identity in relation to discourse, interest, dialogue and differences where the author mostly uses the examples of west versus Islam and particularly Iraq invasion. This chapter questions the scope of identity and how it has been threatened? </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Chapter 5 “The Production of Danger” analysis how danger or threat or risks or insecurities are produced in particular concept of securitization. The formation of identities is the production of danger or threat. Critical approach sees threat as the product of political representation. The author raises the important questions related to protection such as: </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Who can legitimately claim the need for protection?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Against which danger?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Who is to do the protection?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Chapter 6 “Trauma” highlighted how it resulted from war and its effect to people and militaries. The author first highlights psychological experiences of individuals, securitization of trauma and therapy response. The therapy that was used to hide trauma was peaceful alternatives such as TRC, speaking publicly, listening, acknowledgement and intermediator. I totally agree with the author that who are traumatized today might be the perpetuator of tomorrow. Therefore, we need peaceful alternatives for therapy to avoid any future casualties from war. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Chapter 7 “Human Insecurity” examines human security as one of the increasing problem from war. The author ties the issues of human security with failed states and IMF and World Bank aid and neo-liberal structural adjustment programs as democracy promotion. The author see the need to raise the questions that “who has failed the failed states” because he understand it as consequences of colonial background. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Chapter 8 “Immanent Critique” is the expose of the current war on terrorism and the contradiction and the end of politicizing the historical and cultural fault lines. The securitization of terrorism emphasized on technology and militarization as the nest means to solve the problem however, critical approaches prove it as problem rather than solution. It gives power to those who are oppressed and marginalized. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Chapter 9 “Emancipation” starts with questioning and rethinking of what it means to be secured in the word. The chapter argues that emancipation is a process of freeing ourselves from the assumption of militarized understanding of security and have challenged all those traditional assumptions such as “weak versus strong state, state as a protector, military as a core of security and vulnerability must be avoided at all cost” and open a space for the weak to have a voice in defining alternative worlds. The another claim of the book is that protection has become a source of danger itself not only to those who suffer directly from the war in the name of protection people but also to those who suffer <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>indirectly due to the disproportionate allocation of resources to the military. The author highlighted how the superpower, USA failed to protect its certain groups of people during the Hurricane Katrina. The author also explained how emancipation is different from the understanding of liberty. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">This is one of the best books; I have ever read about critical securities studies. It offers a wide range of comprehensive analysis and a good introduction of international security and international relations which includes the various dimensions of contemporary debates about security and security studies. The best part of this book that interests me is gendering of war, war on terrorism, securitization of Hurricane Katrina, trauma that reproduces insecurities and emancipation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a must read book if you want to deepen your knowledge in security studies. It has been able to address something that was not addressed previously. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">However, some of the contents are missing in the text. In Chapter 6, author was unable to include some other alternatives therapies of trauma that are practiced in developing countries especially in south Asia such as poetry, song and story. In last chapter, the author talked emancipation as a struggle to be free from oppressions however; the author didn’t even touch upon how these vulnerability groups can be transformed? Every examples that were presented in the book were related with security either in Europe or USA and the issues of insecurity in Asia was fully neglected which is one of the weak point in this book. We should not forget that security of one sides create insecurity for others. For instance, how has the rise of military expenses in Europe and USA affected so-called developing countries, how has china rising creates threat to others? </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The overall missing was the debate on who was legitimate actor to attack 9/11 because without going to the particular event, for some people it might be little uncomfortable to look into details and talk about aftermath of 9/11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This uneasiness has to be address. </span></div>
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</div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-34239984957228032932011-10-14T06:10:00.000+02:002011-10-18T17:57:04.060+02:00Lester Russel Brown: Whether We Really Have the Future<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">October 11, 2011, I along with others MAINS students at <placename w:st="on">Sungkonghoe</placename> <placetype w:st="on">University</placetype> had the chance to participate in “The 3<sup>rd</sup> Year Anniversary: International Symposium” on climate change and global warming impacts in the world organized by <placename w:st="on">Climate</placename> <placename w:st="on">Change</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Center</placetype> at <placename w:st="on">Ewha</placename> <placename w:st="on">Women</placename> <placetype w:st="on">High School</placetype>, <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Seoul</city></place>. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The center invited one of the great pioneer environmentalists, <a href="http://www.earth-policy.org/about_epi/C32">Lester Russel Brown</a>, and various other local experts in the environment and feminism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The center also invited politicians from the leading and opposition party but neither one showed up at the symposium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I think the leaders not only ignored the invitation from the center but also show their negligence of environmental issues, which clearly legitimized the claim of one of the participants in the discussion<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that “the government is a little behind when it comes to governmental efforts for environmental issues but the citizens are very<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>concerned about it.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Brown, the </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">founder of the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldwatch_Institute">Worldwatch Institute</a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">, and founder and president of the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Policy_Institute">Earth Policy Institute</a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">, analyzed the impact of global warming, food shortages, water depletion and energy shortages. At the end of his speech, he also urged the government and individuals to take action that interests them. The talk was followed by comments from the stage and floor. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He highlighted th</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: KO;">at the </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">extreme weather is having the affect of causing food scarcity in the future. According to Brown, food scarcity will result from </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: KO;">four</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> reasons.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunger Photo: Facebook</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Overpopulation:</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The present annual population growth is <span style="color: #1f1f1f;">80 million people. Tonight, there will be 219,000 additional mouths to feed at the dinner table, and many of them will be greeted with empty plates. Another 219,000 will join us tomorrow night. At some point, this relentless growth begins to tax both the skills of farmers and the limits of the earth's land and water resources. Beyond population growth, there are now some 3 billion people moving up the food chain, eating greater quantities of grain-intensive livestock and poultry products.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Water Supply:</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> The food shortage has also been affected by the supply problem. The large-scale uses of mechanical pumps are exploiting the underground water. Today, half the world's people live in countries where water tables are falling as a result of over pumping. But sooner or later, falling water tables translate into rising food prices. As a result, irrigated areas are shrinking in <country-region w:st="on">China</country-region>, <country-region w:st="on">India</country-region> and notably in the Middle East especially <country-region w:st="on">Saudi Arabia</country-region>, <country-region w:st="on">Syria</country-region>, <country-region w:st="on">Iraq</country-region>, and <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Yemen</place></country-region>. Over pumping may be a potential threat in the future although it will solve the current needs.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Climate Change: </span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Another emerging trend that threatens food security is climate change which has directly affected the existing agriculture and overall temperature of the earth. Of particular concern is the melting of mountain glaciers in the <place w:st="on">Himalayas</place> and on the Tibetan plateau.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Lack of New Technologies:</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> The agricultural production is shrinking overall resulting from lack of modern technology. The <country-region w:st="on">UK</country-region>, <country-region w:st="on">France</country-region> and <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Germany</place></country-region> stopped growing wheat because they had no new technologies. On the other hand, some countries like <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Japan</place></country-region> increased their production with the help of technologies.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Brown worried about the future and argued that “what we are doing today will not take us further” and urges everyone to follow the process below in order to sustain ourselves and our environment. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Reduce carbon emissions 80% by 2020</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">: Wind energy can be used as an alternative to fossil fuel</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: KO;">s</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> such as coil, and oil. It is possible to reduce<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>carbon emissions through wind energy because of 10 reasons</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">No trouble to anyone because wind energy scales up but does not scale down.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It is carbon free</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">There is no need for water</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">No fuel Bail Out</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Less use of Oil compared to others</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Wind farms only occupy 1% of agricultural land</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Double cropping(the land can be used for wind energy and at the same time can be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>use for agricultural production)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Locally Available</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It can be brought online quickly.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">8000 megawatt is enough for the world population</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Eradicate Poverty</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Protect forests, ecology and the rain forest</span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">On the other hand, Brown also criticized the concept of security, which was interesting to me as a student of critical securities studies. He urges everyone including governments to redefine the concept of security. “Unless governments quickly redefine security and shift expenditures from military uses to investing in climate change mitigation, water efficiency, soil conservation, and population stabilization, the world will in all likelihood be facing a future with both more climate instability and food price volatility” asserts Brown. He inspired everyone and asked every individual to take an action at the end of this talk. “Take any issue that interests you and take action - that is how the change is going to happen” states Brown. Otherwise, he has doubts about the future and panics about the future by asking “whether we really have the future?”</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Discussion Sessions: </span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Jang Pil Hwa, the only female discussant on the stage, emphasized the impact of climate change on women. She highlighted the fact that women and children suffer far more than men from hunger, malnutrition and famine. Therefore, there is the need to incorporate women in environmental issues.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">One of the discussion members pointed out the need for public awareness so that individual efforts can also help to reduce at least 10% of carbon emission. The awareness should be the first priority of the state and its actors; however we should not wait for others. He argues that “most of the time we try to escape from issues saying that it’s not our responsibility” which I personally think is very relevant.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">During the discussion, Brown also talked about food distribution and is said that there are two types of people in the world, those who are are “too hungry” and those who are “not hungry”. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Too hungry</i> is caused by poverty whereas <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not hungry</i> is caused by obesity which is a big issues in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">America</place></country-region>. he said that the same number of people are overweight as underweight<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-the same number!!! It is crazy! For overweight I think he used the worl 'obese' – it means unhealthily overweight</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">At some points, Brown drew the audience's attention about the unhealthy sustainable economic growth of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">China</place></country-region>. “<country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">China</place></country-region> achieves rapid sustainable economic benefits at the expense of the environment. On the other hand, <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">China</place></country-region> leading cause of death is cancer, which will have a huge and tragic cost in the future”</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lester R. Brown, Photo: Google</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: KO;">One of the interesting </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">ideas </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: KO;">was </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">of using real cost prices for carbon use. Brown said</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: KO;">,</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> if this were added up, the real cost of oil would be $12! </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: KO;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">For example the market price of gasoline in the <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">US</place></country-region> might be just a few dollars. But in reality, the cost is much higher – the cost of US military in the oil-producing countries, the cost of medical treatment for people whose lungs are affected by car pollution, etc. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: KO;">He thinks that “</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If we used these 'real' prices, people would consider using their cars less and making other changes</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: KO;">.” </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Written By: Sunita Basnet</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Edited By” Chloe Simson </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: KO;"></span></div>
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</div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0Seoul, South Korea37.566535 126.9779691999999637.436035000000004 126.78521919999996 37.697035 127.17071919999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-80995812992172216522011-10-10T06:41:00.000+02:002011-10-10T06:41:33.498+02:00The Statement by H.E. Mr. Gyan Chandra Acharya Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations at the 49 th Session of the Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Madam Chairperson, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Distinguished members of the committee, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ladies and gentlemen,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is indeed a privilege and honor for me and my delegation to take part in this dialogue on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">fulfillment of our national obligations under the historic convention. Let me introduce my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">delegation. Hon minister could not attend the meeting because of some unavoidable </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">circumstances. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Madam Chairperson,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Preparing a national report on the state of implementation of the United Nations Convention on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was in itself a rewarding process </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">of self-assessment. It provided us with an opportunity to reflect on what we, as a party to the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Convention, promised to achieve, what we could achieve and where we lagged behind in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">realizing our aspirations for a discrimination-free and empowered society. We have already been </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">through that broad-based exercise and the outcome thereof is presented to you. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">AS per the spirit of CEDAW, which looks at the issue related to women in a holistic manner, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Government of Nepal approved the National Action Plan on CEDAW in 2003. Prepared in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">consultation with all stakeholders, the action plan has formed the basis of our reform initiatives. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare is co-coordinating its implementation. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In its thirtieth session held in January 2004, the committee considered the Combined Second and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Third Periodic Reports of Nepal. The observations of the Committee have since helped re-orient </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">our efforts where necessary. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Without repeating much of what has already been said in the report and in our subsequent </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">response to your concerns, I would like to take this opportunity to touch on the milestones that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we have passed during the reporting period and afterwards, and the challenges we are making </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">efforts to grapple with. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Following the popular movement of April 2006, Nepal has undergone far-reaching political </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">changes. At present, the Constituent Assembly is at the final stage of drawing up a new </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Constitution. We certainly did not wait until the period of transformation to press ahead with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">anti-discriminatory measures or affirmative actions under the comprehensive framework of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Convention. Indeed, decisive participation of women was deemed indispensable for successful </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">completion of this unprecedented transformation, not least the peace process associated with it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Accordingly, the House of Representatives, in May 2006, adopted a resolution calling for </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">guaranteeing at least 33 per cent representation of women in all parts of the state structure with </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the aim of achieving proportionate representation ultimately. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In September the same year, the Act to Amend Some Nepal Acts to Maintain Gender Equality </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">was promulgated with the effect of either amending or repealing a total of 65 provisions in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">various Acts that were found discriminatory against women. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Interim Constitution of Nepal 2007 represents another major step forward. The obligations, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">directive principles and policies of the State as enshrined in the Constitution have explicitly </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">provided for putting a stop to gender discrimination, for ensuring women’s participation in all </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">parts of the state machinery on the basis of proportionate inclusion, and also for taking special </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">measures in respect of education, health care and employment. The Constitution has for the first </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">time stated women’s fundamental rights. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Parliament has continued to pass new and important legislations with a view to advancing gender </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">equality as well as prohibiting violence or discrimination against women, including the National </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Commission on Women Act, 2006, the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2007 and the Domestic Violence (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2009. Legislative moves are </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">afoot to amend some 60 more discriminatory provisions in the law, to outlaw harmful social </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">practices and to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The law has also enabled progressive interpretation thereof by the judiciary as reflected in a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">series of its verdicts of late. The directive orders of the Supreme Court of Nepal for necessary </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">enactments or programmatic interventions issued in the light of the provisions of the Constitution </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and those of the Convention have been equally important. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Madam Chairperson,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The principles of CEDAW have found expression in our development policy, too. Broadly speaking, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Government of Nepal has pursued the policy of mainstreaming gender considerations in all sectors of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">development as well as encouraging women’s presence at all levels of authority. Women’s </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">representation is valued not only in ownership terms but also in terms of making a difference in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">policy initiatives and their outcomes. Therefore we have taken a comprehensive approach to it. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The 2006 Parliamentary Proclamation has created a wave of change in representation </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">everywhere. The Constituent Assembly, which also functions as Legislative Parliament, was </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">among the first to abide by the 33 per cent minimum rule. By doing so, the highest legislative </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">body has provided an example for all other agencies to follow. Thus we see at least 33 per cent </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">women in local peace committees, users’ groups and community-based organizations supported </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">under various development projects. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Earlier women’s representation would often mean one or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">two members; now it invariably means a minimum of the critical mass. This has given more </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">voice to women, further encouraged gender-focused initiatives and completely changed the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">development landscape in the field. We intend to continue doing that in the days ahead. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Women’s presence is visibly increasingly in the Civil Service, in the Nepal Police and in other </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">institutions where it was rather obscure only a few years ago. Over 150 laws contain affirmative </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">provisions facilitating women’s access to, or involvement in, various spheres of public activity. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maintaining the momentum of reform, the current Three-Year Plan (2010/11 – 2012/13) aims to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">eliminate discrimination and violence of all types against women, envisages women’s </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">representation in the state apparatus passing the 33 per cent mark, and lays emphasis on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">strengthening gender mainstreaming in all aspects of development, governance and service </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">delivery. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Continued advocacy of gender issues has its own impact. Within the government, ministries have </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">taken the initiative in crafting sector-specific policies. The 2009 Gender Equality and Social </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Inclusion Policy of the Ministry of Local Development is a case in point. A new impetus to that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">process was provided in 2010 by elevating the level of gender focal points in ministries or other </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">agencies. Now the chief of the Planning Division is designated as the gender focal point. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gender mainstreaming is ensured in decentralized planning and review as well. In districts the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">process is led by a broad-based mainstreaming committee chaired by the President of the District </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Development Committee and facilitated by the Women Development Officer. The district team </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">has its own network of gender focal points in GOs and voluntarily listed NGOs. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It has been increasingly realized that gender issues are the rights issues, that women’s participation </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">makes all the difference everywhere, and that the superordinate goal of achieving gender equality </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">calls for a comprehensive approach and concerted effort, widely shared ownership and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">reinforcement of linkages. The Ministry of Finance co-ordinates gender-responsive budgeting, the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ministry of General Administration takes the lead in affirmative reforms and the Ministries of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Local Development, and Women, Children and Social Welfare have jointly executed a Gender </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion Project., Ministry of Law and Justice has initiated legal reform </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">processes and Ministries of Education and Health lay particular emphasis on women’s </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">empowerment through respective work programs. Similarly working together in close cooperation </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with the NGOs, CBOs and local groups, we intend to pursue our goal of making our society free </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">from discrimination, together with women’s empowerment, a reality.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Madam Chairperson, </b> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is in the context that translating policies into practical programs has been a priority of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Government of Nepal. Various programs have been in operation in the country with a view to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">addressing gender issues, expanding opportunities for women and bringing women’s agency to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">bear on the task of nation building. These programs include welcome-to-school campaigns, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">maternity incentive schemes, micro-credit services; cash transfer plans, policy-level </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">consultations, and community-based access-to-justice initiatives.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Women Development Program is targeted for an estimated 3.9 million rural deprived </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">women who have missed out schooling or other opportunities for development early on; this </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">program is now extended to 3,448 of the country’s total 3,915 Village Development Committees. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Program has proved to be effective in creating forums for participation, in forming social </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">capital and in fostering women-led micro-enterprises. In village after village women’s groups </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">have pulled together, fighting discrimination and violence, and creating a force for social change. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since 2003, with a separate component tailored to their needs, out-of-school adolescent girls </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">have also been included in the target group of the program. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In addition, a wide variety of programs is being carried out by NGOs. NGO activities are </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">particularly effective in building public awareness, in organizing specifically marginalized </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">groups and in giving care to those in need. Often government agencies and NGOs collaborate on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">such activities. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Part of the strategy is to mobilize additional funding for focused programs by way of gender responsive budgeting. Initiated in 2007/08, the process has led to a gradual increase in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">allocations to programs that benefit women directly. Of the total budgeted expenditure for fiscal </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">year 2011/12, that was presented a few days ago, 19 per cent will directly go to women related </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">programs and 45 per cent is indirectly responsive to closing the gender gap. Similar steps have </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">been taken to ensure women’s access to local government resources. The Gender Equality and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Social Inclusion Policy 2009 stipulates that at least 10 per cent of the Village Development Grant </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">should be spent on programs related to women directly. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I would also like to put on record our gratitude to the United Nations agencies and other </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">development partners for their continued support for the policy initiatives and implementation of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">various gender specific programs in Nepal. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Madam Chairperson, </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Government of Nepal has made efforts to confront violence against women on a priority </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">basis. More recently, we began a focused campaign by declaring 2010 as the Year against </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gender-related Violence. A specific National Action Plan was worked out with a vision to make </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nepal free from violence against women and girls. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Efforts have been intensified to raise awareness, institute referral mechanisms and extend </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">services to the needy. A Gender-based Violence Complaint Management and Monitoring Unit </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">has been set up in the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Women and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Children Service Cells have been created in District Police Offices, and networks of community </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and district service centers with safe houses have also been established in 15 districts for women </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and children affected by domestic violence. This will be further expanded in the days ahead. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">An inter-ministerial committee chaired by the Chief Secretary has been formed to oversee the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">implementation of the action plan. An Advisory Committee comprising Members of Legislative </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Parliament, Chairperson of the National Commission on Women and NGO representatives </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">advises the inter-ministerial committee on its functions. Activities in districts are co-ordinated by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a similar committee called ‘District Resource Group’ led by the Chief District Officer. Efforts </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">have been intensified to raise awareness, institute referral mechanisms and extend services to the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">needy. A complain management monitoring unit has been set up in the office of the prime </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">minister, women service cells have been created in district police offices. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anti-trafficking actions have been stepped up alongside. Just now consultations are taking place </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on revising the 2001 National Plan of Action with an added emphasis on law enforcement. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Addressing domestic violence is part of the plan as it often increases vulnerability to trafficking. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Life skills and livelihood support programs for out-of-school adolescent girls have been extended </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to remote rural areas, and rehabilitation centres for trafficking survivors have been established in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">eight districts of the country. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In this process a Five-Year National Action Plan on Implementing the United Nations Security </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 has been approved in 2010. A high-level Steering </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Committee chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs has been </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">constituted to ensure that the resolutions are implemented effectively. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Madam Chairperson, </b> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That actions are beginning to bear fruit is reflected in statistics. The proportion of people living </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">below the national poverty line has been reduced from 42 in 1995/96 to 31 in 2003/04 and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">further to 25.4 in 2008/09. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the time of the 1991 census, Nepal was a rare case of men having a longer life expectancy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">than women. But that changed by the next census in 2001 and is estimated to have changed </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">further now. Women today can expect to live 64.5 years – nearly a year more than men. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The GDI has increased from 0.452 in 2004 to 0.499 in 2009. The GEM has increased likewise – </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">from 0.391 in 2004 to 0.496 in 2009. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Considerable progress has been made in lowering the level of maternal mortality. The maternal </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mortality ratio has been reduced from 539 in 1996 to 281 in 2006 and further to 229 in 2009. The </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">infant mortality rate has also registered a declining trend – from 79 in 1996 to 64.4 in 2001 and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">further to 48 in 2006. Within the five years of the last two DHS surveys, the TFR has been </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">reduced by 1 – from 4.1 in 2001 to 3.1 in 2006. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gender parity has been achieved in primary education and gaps are closing, albeit slowly, in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">other areas, too. Literacy is an example. In 2001, the overall literacy rate was 53.7 per cent with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a gap of 22.6 percentage points in male and female literacy rates. In 2010, the overall literacy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">rate has gone up to 63.7 per cent and the gap in male and female literacy rates has narrowed to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">22.3 percentage points. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The 2010 Progress Report indicates that Nepal is on course to achieve many of the MDG related </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">targets, provided the global support is scaled up consistent with our national efforts. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are making our best efforts to grapple with trafficking in women and girls that takes place in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">various guise. There is also a growing concern for the safety of women in some cases in foreign </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">employment, which we are making efforts to deal with. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While there have been a number of improvements, gender disparities in development indicators </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">are still a matter of concern. Factors often correlate and have a combined effect on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">disempowerment. Early marriage, for instance, frequently deprives a girl of schooling, takes its </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">toll on her health and is also likely to weaken her say in the family. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Even with temporary special measures, women’s representation in the Civil Service stands at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">13.29 per cent, indicating that much remains to be done in meeting the target of 33 per cent </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">representation in government agencies, private businesses and professional jobs. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Similarly, we are making efforts to reach targeted programs to as many women as possible, but </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we face many constraints. Many are in need of specifically packaged programs, such as the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Household Development Plan based on conditional cash transfer designed for conflict-affected </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">single women and women of the Badi community. Reaching out to all of them presents a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">challenge of its own, as does mobilizing extra resources for that purpose. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Madam Chairperson, </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Government of Nepal remains committed to eliminating discrimination against women in all its </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">forms and manifestations and empower them to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">development in the country. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We have yet to achieve our goals, yet our achievements so far have been encouraging. If we </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">could achieve gender parity in primary education, we certainly can do so in secondary education </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and, with additional efforts, in higher education in due course of time. And that will also enable </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">proportionate representation of women everywhere, including the upper echelons of our </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">organizations. This will have some spin off effects on many areas.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We have also learnt from experience that gains in empowerment can occur from any point on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">scale. This means that the leverage lies in creating alternative opportunities for the hundreds of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">thousands of women who never went to school or dropped out after a few years. With gains in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">awareness, economic self-reliance and social influence, vulnerability will be reduced, harmful </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">social practices will die out and discrimination will give way to equity. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I would like to point out here that in many areas of our activities, human and financial resources </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">have also come in the way of speedy progress towards elimination of discrimination against and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">empowerment of women. We all know that it is work in progress. And we believe that this </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">dialogue will not only contribute to reviewing our national progress and challenges, but also </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">contribute to further encourage a scaled-up support and cooperation from the international </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">community especially for those countries, where there is a dearth of human and financial </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">capacity to fully and speedily implement its national objectives and obligations under CEDAW. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you for your attention</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Official Source</b>: <a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/docs/statements/Nepal_CEDAW49.pdf">OHCHR Website</a>, <i>Published Date and Place:</i> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">July 20, 2011/ </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">New York</span></i></div></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-6517184441461470702011-10-08T13:23:00.000+02:002011-10-08T13:23:24.935+02:00How One Young World has shaped my vision?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Attending One Young World Summit as a retuning ambassador indeed was a very fruitful experience. As a convening Ambassador, I was supposed to lead the Media resolution. Thus, the co-founder of One Young World, David and Kate, introduces me to the stage with my background information including my present and past projects. After the session, some young people approach to me and asked about my projects, shows their interest and support on what I was doing. Talking with them about my projects and sharing some challenges about the projects, some of them give their suggestions and feedback how I could go better in the future. Some of them shows their interest to conduct the same project in their community and seek help how can do that. This year I have started girls mentoring along with another One Young World Ambassador and world pulse colleague. I would say this mentoring is a result from the last summit where Gifty, the co-founder of <a href="http://greightfoundation.blogspot.com/">Greight Foundation</a> shared her project with me and I was keen on it. Finally, I have started girl mentoring in Nepal. I feel so blessed and happy to work with these 15 girls from Nepal. I found that some of stories include the suffering of trauma either missing a father or working in relatives home to study. However, it has been little bit challenging because of lack of funding and these girls cannot speak English. There are three girls in Nepal who are volunteering their valuable time for this project. All of these stories inspired me to work more in the future. <br />
<br />
Girls mentoring is just a start and there are more to come in the future. I have recently talked with another friend, where she has agreed to work with me in the future to provide scholarship for a girl and she is very interested about my dreams. She was the one who was besides me every time after I joined world pulse. I was only able to make One young World summit in London because of her. We will start with a girl and expand in the future. We are hoping to start next year. All of these projects will be part of my organization I am dreaming for the future. All of these experiences will help me to gather experience while I am pursuing my Master degree here in Korea. <br />
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Sometimes you need encouragement and support (moral) from people and one young world platform has been more than that for me. During <a href="http://blog.iwhc.org/2010/04/announcing-the-winner-of-the-2010-young-visionaries-contest/">IWHC young visionary grant competition</a>, one young world helped me to gain votes from many of their ambassadors and later I won the competition. With the grant, I conducted a street drama and free health clinic in my own community because of this, my community has a very distinct perspective (positive) and respect towards me. I can proudly say that I have been the role model for girls in my community. This has been only able from the benefits of the likeminded network either like One Young World platform or World Pulse Media platform. Not only just for the dreams, I have friends (girl friends) where I can share my personal stories and experiences. One young world has been my second family. Families, who protect each member, love them, care them and support the flows. This is a house where many girls are seeking to live and I hope it will be able to provide the shelter for many dreams.</div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-82635353692236694432011-09-30T04:08:00.000+02:002011-09-30T04:08:36.272+02:00Address by the Rt. Hon. Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Prime Minister of Nepal, to the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr. President,<br />
Mr. Secretary-General,<br />
Distinguished Delegates,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wpIoBsSTiFc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Let me begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, on your election to the President of the Sixty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly. I also take this opportunity to sincerely thank the outgoing President, His Excellency Mr. Joseph Deiss, for having successfully steered the Sixty-fifth session. Let me also express our sincere appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations for strong commitment and dedication with which he has been serving the United Nations. We wish him further success in his second term. Nepal warmly welcomes the Republic of South Sudan as a newest member of the United Nations.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://ramkshrestha.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/nepal_pm_bhattarai-photo-ap1.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15681" height="640" src="http://ramkshrestha.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/nepal_pm_bhattarai-photo-ap1.jpg?w=520&h=534" title="Nepal_PM_Bhattarai-Photo-AP1" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr. President,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
It is a distinct honor and privilege for me to bring to this august Assembly the voice of the voiceless of the world. I have brought with me greetings from the nearly 30 million toiling but proud people of Nepal, who have recently liberated themselves from age-old feudal monarchy and autocracy. Nepal is an enchanting land of Mt. Everest, the top of the world. It is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the apostle of peace. And it possesses an unbelievable variety of natural beauty and diversity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In recent years, a momentous transformation is taking place in Nepal. After a long and persistent struggle, a feudalistic and autocratic monarchy has been abolished. We have entered into a new historic era with the creation of a new federal democratic republic of Nepal. Today, the new state apparatus is striving to take into account the multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural diversity of the country. Abolition of all discriminations and oppression based on class, gender, nationality, region and caste and creating an inclusive democratic system and a just society is at the heart of all our struggles for decades. Thanks to the ultimate sacrifice of the thousands of martyrs of the historic People’s War of 1996 to 2006, People’s Movement of 2006, Madhesh Movement and many other oppressed people’s movements that we have come this far to lay the foundation of a new Nepal. We have to consolidate these historic gains and institutionalize them in order to establish sustainable peace, justice and prosperity to all. My government is fully committed to doing that with the conclusion of the peace process and the writing of a new constitution through the Constituent Assembly at the earliest. The constitution will not only guarantee the fundamental democratic norms and values. But it will also ensure that our multi-party democracy is inclusive, participatory and life-changing for all, especially the oppressed laboring masses and the marginalized ones. As it is rightly said: ‘The highest measure of democracy is neither the extent of freedom, nor the extent of equality, rather the highest measure of participation’, we want to institutionalize a really participatory democracy for all, particularly the downtrodden ones.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this context, I would like to remind this august Assembly of the poignant words expressed from this podium in 2008 by the Chairman of my party, Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and the then Prime Minister, Com. Prachanda, about the landless peasants, downtrodden women, the so-called untouchable dalits and millions of exploited masses of Nepal who are aspiring for liberation from all forms of oppression and exploitation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nepal’s home-driven peace process and historic transformation are unique and could be a good example for drawing lessons. We believe that transformation has to be holistic to have its long lasting impact at the grassroots. Transformation in political, social and economic fields has to be brought about holistically. It is attainable with dedication, dialogue and consensus building among stakeholders. Like in any other countries, transitional pains and delays are there. But we are united in our vision and we intend to complete the transition process with consensus and cooperation of all the political parties and stakeholders. We are confident that with international goodwill and cooperation, we will achieve it at the earliest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nepal’s foreign policy is based on fundamental principles of the UN Charter, non-alignment and Panchsheel principles and promotion of regional cooperation through SAARC. We would like to be a vibrant bridge between our two neighbours and beyond. At a time when humanity is so much in need of peace, and we all are striving for it, we particularly appeal for the development of Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, as the fountain of world peace through effective international support and cooperation. The International Committee for Development of Lumbini needs to be reactivated at the earliest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I extend sincere thanks to the United Nations, especially UNMIN for providing invaluable support and assistance throughout our peace process. We are hopeful that we would continue to receive goodwill and support from the international community in our efforts to institutionalize lasting peace, equity and prosperity in the country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
The United Nations holds a noble vision of peace and security, development and justice and human rights for all. But if we look around the world, we have a long way to go to achieve this. We still face conflicts, deprivation and demeaning poverty all around us. How can we have sustainable peace in the world when there is so much of inequity, deprivation and marginalization around us? We have to deal with their root causes. How can one justify the spending of 1.5 trillion US dollars on war weapons every year while more than two billion people across the globe lack basic necessities of food, medicine, etc?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is in that context, I appeal to the United Nations to come forward with a far reaching and comprehensive development package. We need a “new Marshall plan” for rebuilding and reconstruction of the post-conflict countries. Lip-services and symbolic supports are not enough. It is time for a bold visionary step to deal with the complex problems of today. This would be a most cost effective approach to deal with the global problems and ensure sustainable peace.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr. President,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
The principles and purposes of the United Nations as enshrined in the Charter represent the high ideals of the global community. Yet we live in an age of paradox. The gap between the poor and the rich is ever widening. Today the level of inequity between the states is the highest than at any time in the past. The Least Developed Countries, or I would rather prefer calling them Underdeveloped Countries, are facing the full force of negative side of globalization with their deep structural constraints. Jobless growth is a major challenge for all of us. In this integrated world, grinding poverty of the masses in billions is a recipe for disaster. The islands of prosperity amidst the sea of poverty are not sustainable. It is morally indefensible and economically undesirable. In a globalized and interconnected world, our destiny is inextricably intertwined. When my house is on fire, your house cannot be safe, and vice versa.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The recurrence of economic and financial crises, fuel and food crises and the deeper structural crises have vindicated the need to seriously review the current economic paradigm. I believe that this is the right time for deeper soul-searching and the creation of a new, just and scientific economic order. The new global economic order needs to deal with the current global volatility and the growing marginalization of the poor and the weaker economies. The financial capital-driven ‘globalization’ process is increasingly exposing its inherent structural deficiency and incompatibility. Unless the interest of labour, the basic source of human wealth, is duly integrated in this process, we may soon have to face the ‘globalization’ of unrest and upheavals. The United Nations should be the principal forum to look at it in a coherent, inclusive and holistic manner.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr. President,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face severe structural constraints in their development efforts. Their vulnerabilities have been further aggravated with multiple crises. Despite some good progress in achieving individual goals, LDCs as a group are most off-track in meeting the internationally agreed upon development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration. Rights based approach to development is a must.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is quite disheartening that even today about 75 percent of the population in LDCs lives in abject poverty and hunger. This situation is unacceptable and must come to an end sooner than later. Business as usual is not a solution to the deep-rooted problems. The historically structured process of ‘development of underdevelopment’ needs to be structurally addressed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Istanbul Declaration and the Program of Action must be implemented in its entirety and in an effective and timely manner. In particular, financing for development should be ensured as per the commitment. Duty-free, quota-free market access and supply-side capacity must be ensured to LDCs. Investment, technology transfer and private sector development should be promoted in LDCs. They are essential to translate the legitimate aspirations of the LDCs. A renewed and strengthened global partnership is critical to its implementation. We do not want to see another missed opportunity for the LDCs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nepal, in its capacity as chair of LDCs, will make every effort, in cooperation with fellow LDCs to ensure that the issues and concerns of the LDCs remain high on the priority list of the UN development agenda.<br />
Similarly, the special difficulties of the Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDCs) should be recognized and the freedom of transit should be ensured to them as a matter of right. Together with this, support for trade facilitation and infrastructure development in these countries should be scaled up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Labour migration is a global phenomenon. We must protect the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families to ensure that ‘globalization’ is fair to all. As Nepal’s economy is increasingly dependent on remittance, this issue is very crucial for us.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr. President,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Climate change has clearly emerged as one of the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century. Global warming has precipitated melting of snow in the Nepal Himalayas, a source of fresh water for over a billion people living in South Asia. Therefore, we have taken the initiative of promoting sustainable mountain agenda in order to highlight their special vulnerabilities and fragilities. The industrialized countries should bear greater responsibilities for this.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
There is an urgent need to make progress in climate negotiations and to ensure enhanced and predictable financing. The Rio+20 Summit scheduled for next year are critical to define a more sustainable development path and eradicate poverty for the LDCs. Sustainable development agenda should encompass all ecological considerations, including the crucial issue of sustainable mountain development.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr. President,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Nepal reiterates its call for general and complete disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction in a time bound manner.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nepal strongly believes that regional mechanisms complement efforts to promote the global disarmament agenda. The Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament for Asia and the Pacific (RCPD) located in Kathmandu would be instrumental in revitalizing the “Kathmandu Process” to facilitate dialogues and deliberations for confidence building in the region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Nepal unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and calls for an expeditious conclusion of the negotiations on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. We should differentiate between terrorism and struggles for freedom.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nepal’s commitment to human rights is deep and unflinching. We are fully aware that the protection and promotion of all human rights including the right to development and fundamental freedoms strengthens the sustainability of peace and progress. We have established an independent constitutional body – the National Human Rights Commission as a watchdog institution. We are committed to build and strengthen this specialized national institution as a true custodian of human rights.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr. President,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
The General Assembly, which is the only representative body at the global level, needs to be given commensurate power and authority to truly work as a ‘world parliament’. It should not remain toothless. Similarly, Nepal supports the expansion in the membership of the Security Council in both the categories. Reform must address all the interrelated issues such as representation as well as transparency and accountability in the working methods of the Security Council. The role and contribution of smaller states in the maintenance of international peace and security must be duly acknowledged.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We underline the crucial role of the United Nations in promoting international cooperation for development. Its role in shaping policy debate on and establishing global norms in economic and financial matters must be strengthened. Nepal welcomes all efforts aimed at promoting system-wide coherence, including the operationalization of UN-Women.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr. President,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Nepal’s participation in UN peacekeeping is long-standing and consistent. We remain steadfast in our commitment to international peace and security. Nepal has already provided over 80,000 peacekeepers, out of which 62 of our soldiers have laid down their lives in the line of duty. Hence, we would like to call for equitable representation at the leadership level.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In recent times, we have witnessed the outpouring of the popular sentiments for change and freedom around the world. We believe that this is a sign of a new beginning, where people are asserting themselves to be the master of their own destiny. We applaud these changes. We should support them based on the fundamental principles of the United Nations. However, no one should hijack the agenda of democracy for its partisan ends.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The long-drawn-out peace process in the Middle-East is a matter of serious concern for us all. We must find a comprehensive and just solution to these problems. It is our principled position that we support a fully independent and sovereign Palestine State based on the UN resolutions. We look forward to its materialization at the earliest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr. President,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Finally, let me reiterate, the UN principles be holistic, and all be pursued in a balanced manner.<br />
The United Nations should not only be the custodian of its noble principles, it must deliver on its promises. Let it not be a mere umbrella of big powers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a globalized world of today, the UN has more responsibility than ever before to create an inclusive and just global order. Let it not falter on its historic duties.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let the UN serve the larger interests of the poor and the weakest segment of the international community.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let economic transformation of LDCs with a rights-based approach be on top of the UN Agenda.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let the UN not fail the aspirations of the millions of people for freedom, equality and prosperity. Let its vision be translated into a visible change in the lives of the oppressed people.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And, last but not least, let us keep in mind, either we all reach the goal of global peace and prosperity together, or nobody will.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Source: <a href="http://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/66/NP_en.pdf">http://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/66/NP_en.pdf</a></div><ins></ins></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-13567130750449262002011-09-23T12:06:00.000+02:002011-09-23T12:09:09.186+02:00Global Dignity Helping to Find the Value of Human Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31sgbr6hJM0/TnxXpqvRohI/AAAAAAAABZw/SJoKplgemPU/s1600/globaldignitylogo.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31sgbr6hJM0/TnxXpqvRohI/AAAAAAAABZw/SJoKplgemPU/s320/globaldignitylogo.bmp" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logo, @Website</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“In a world where it seems no one agrees on anything; a world where politics divide, where religion divides, and where race and even cultural borders seem to divide, dignity is something that everyone can agree on” Co-founders, Global Dignity. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Dignity as a common concept, more than 700 exceptional young leaders under 40 at the forum of young global leaders of the World Economic Forum initiate the concept Global Dignity Day as an international day for dignity every year on October 2010 in a numbers of countries all over the world.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">This year the official dignity day is Thursday 20 October 2011. Global Dignity is an autonomous non-profit, non-criticism and non-partisan initiative that wish to be inspiration- and encouraging best practice and dignity-centered leadership. The mission of the global dignity organization is to “implement the universal right of every human being to lead a dignified life.” The organization believes that people have the ability to increase the dignity of others and as a result we increase our own dignity. The dignity approached is assumed to works on all levels: Children, adults, men and women including in both micro and macro level because all people need dignity to lead a human life. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/3B_fc7fmhsI/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3B_fc7fmhsI&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3B_fc7fmhsI&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">A dignifying world provides everyone with equal opportunities in life and dignifies everyone's life regardless of the cards that fate has dealt you. “In a dignifying world, one's fate does not depend on one's "reproductive luck," that is, on the stars under which you happened to be born, the economic and social status of one's parents. Therefore, the thinking behind dignity includes also the ability to identify with the lives of others, the ability to "Imagine that we were 'us' just like now, except that 'I' would be 'you' and 'you' would be 'me'." Action has dignity only if I could feel dignified if I were treated in the way I'm treating the other person.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Recently Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has also joined our Honorary Board. Besides the most interesting things is that more than 40 countries will be participating in Global Dignity Day, and Dignity sessions are being planned for over 100,000 students on October 20th 2011 (this year).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9JWsTWk4eoM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">Video Credits: Global Dignity Organization and Youtube</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">For more information about global dignity day: Please visit the website or follow up in facebook or twitter as given below</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.globaldignity.org/"><span style="color: red;">http://www.globaldignity.org</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">Facebook: </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/globaldignity"><span style="color: red;">http://www.facebook.com/globaldignity</span></a><span style="color: red;"> <br />
Twitter: @globaldignity</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">P.s. In partnership with </span><a href="http://www.globaldignity.org/"><span style="color: red;">Global Dignity</span></a></div></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-77867467256335374252011-09-10T07:51:00.000+02:002015-07-28T03:21:32.458+02:00One Young World Summit Experiences and Recommendations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As a returning and convening Ambassador for media impact at One Young World Summit in Zurich Switzerland, it was a great pleasure to talk about the project impacts of 2010 Ambassadors and lead Media resolution for 2011 at the summit. I was only able to make it together with the help of my mentor Carol Anderson and my Sister Janice Wong. One young world Summit purpose is to “connect and bring together the youngest, brightest and best and to ensure that their concerns, opinions and solutions are heard.” To know more about the summit, please visit <a href="http://www.oneyoungworld.com/">One Young World Website</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Nick Simmi, a 21 years old future leaders from UK shared his experienced about the events “The event has allowed me to gain a true insight into some of the world’s biggest problems and most pressing issues from first hand contact with hundreds of delegates from Africa, Asia, Europe, America, Canada and Australia.”(</span><a href="http://www.lep.co.uk/news/lep-business/future_leader_joins_top_rank_1_3757716" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Lep Business</a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">All of the counselors such as Desmond Tutu, Bob Geldof, Jamie Oliver, Muhammad Yunus, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Paul Polman, Guler Sabanci, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Wael Ghonim, Oscar Morales, Joss Stone, Doug Richard, Andy Ansah, Patrick Chalhoub, Waris Dirie, Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish, Nick Hayson and many others were very inspiring and really cared about the issues that today we are facing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"I love to be here because I am dying to see what you are doing" said Sir Bob Geldof, Musician and activist. He further talked about the age to inspire the delegates, “It’s incredible to be here to be less young.” Similarly, Desmond Tutu, Activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and one of the oldest and the most inspiring counselors called One Young World delegates as a “fantastic amazing group.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Fatima Bhutto, Writer, Journalist and Activist and the counselor of the summit describes how women raise community and the importance of educating them where she explained the benefits of educating women. It is not just herself but for the larger network including community in the long term. She also highlighted the fact that not all women can make a world better place. "It is not true that all women can make better world, but it’s about leadership." She requests everyone especially women to fight ethically whether they are “inside” or “outside” the power.</span></div>
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Many of us, especially I am very worried and think how I can make a best networking and the suggestions from Karol Stone, Managing Director, YouGovStone pointed out that to network you don’t need to be outgoing but take interest in people’s action and belief. Talk with them (like-minded people) was suggested by beautiful counselor. Jennifer also highlighted the offers from the power of network delegates have. “Delegates should access network that offers powerful opportunities” said Jennifer.</div>
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I think now you will agree with me that the counselors were very inspiring. The guest speakers were equally inspiring too.</div>
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Gabi Zedl meyer, global Social innovative form HP challenged for those who think that changing the world literally is impossible. We could literally change the world... Let’s change the world Gabi requested to the delegates during his talk at the summit. He further highlights the work conducted by his company on health, education, entrepreneurs, community involvement and volunteering and says that “it’s not about how many people take training from our programs but we need to think how many people do something with it.” That’s how the leadership takes from the top.</div>
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Another guest speaker Sigi Probsti, CEO of sustainable cities, primarily focuses on the need of education, where he mentioned “education is what you need first and skills later.” While talking about some of the best examples of education system, South Korea happen to be one. However, the question is, how can we say that South Korea has one of the “best” education system given the fact that many young people still cannot afford the education. The suicide rate is increasing dramatically because of two reasons. First, Students do not receive the marks as their expectation and second many cannot afford their tuition fees. If the poor cannot afford the education and Education, today’s ‘basic needs’ is only for rich people here in Korea, how can we define it as a best education system. I myself raise this question from the floor and request all the delegates and counselors to revisit the definition of “best education” system.</div>
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The gender inequality was highlighted by guest speakers and even by the speakers in various impact areas. Mercedes Erra highlighted some of the current gender issues by showing some facts. Erra focused on the facts of illiterate women where “2/3 of the 774 millions of illiterates in the world are women.” On the other hand, “On 500 largest corporation in the world only 13 have a female CEO.”</div>
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I will talk about the impact speakers in my next blogging. Indeed they were very inspiring.</div>
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Finally at the end of the summit, Muhammad Yunus, Founder, Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate stood up at the stage and asked the delegates; whether they are aware of power they have? He further makes the delegates realize their power and again asked “what are you going to do with the power you have? How can the power be used?” He further encouraged the delegates to use their power in creating a completely new world within delegates’ 4os. Yunus further challenged the delegates to takes the impossibilities. “Very soon what you think impossible today will be common tomorrow so don’t ignore any impossible”</div>
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I am very humbled to be called as a convening ambassador for media impact but there are many things that needed to be addressed by One Young World team members especially the summit organizers.</div>
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Firstly, the summit should not stop here. It’s a beginning and a best way to inspire young people and help them to find the like minded people and initiate the projects, but this inspiration should converted into actions and One Young World should support in every steps they can including financial support.</div>
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Thirdly, I have personally found some delegates who have come just to visit a country either London or Zurich. These types of delegates should not get chance in the coming summit and One Young World Summit should take it seriously during the screening phase. I am sorry to say this, but so far I have found that whoever can afford 3000 euros get chance to attend the summit. However, money should not be first priority to bring the young inspiring best future leaders rather should be their ideas and actions.</div>
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Finally, we could have brought more delegates from developing countries, if we could use the money we use for beverages such as alcohol, beers and wine during the summit or we could have use the money, we spend for beverages, to feed normal food for the delegates who arrived in 31st. I noticed that some delegates at city hotel sleep hungry stomach because they didn’t bring any money with them neither they were informed that they have to bring the some money for 31.</div>
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I hope this will be a fruitful recommendation for One Young World summit organizers and OYW will rethink about it in the future summit.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Attending One Young World for the second time is really humbling to see the amazing work young people of my age are doing after overcoming several challenges. Unlike UN and others, the summit is not just about passing the resolutions related to Media, global health, environment, global business and leadership. It is more about the actions carried by young people around the world, where summit is used as a platform to gather and exchange ideas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Representing Nepal at One Young World Summit in Zurich</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Worldpulsarian attending One Young World Summit</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Secondly, the summit is very expensive that the so-called “third world” people cannot afford. How can we expect a person to pay 3000 euro where many people in his/her country cannot afford three meals per day? If the summit is to bring young future leaders of the world then some privileged should be given to developing and underdeveloped countries. One Young World board members should encourage companies to think about their CSR for developing countries.</span></div>
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Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com1Zurich, Switzerland47.367347 8.550002500000005147.310122 8.4613475000000058 47.424572000000005 8.6386575000000043tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-18044880863131382052011-09-07T18:21:00.000+02:002011-09-07T18:21:12.440+02:00HIV Awareness and Women in Mrigauliya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I’d like to share my experience conducting the one day health clinic in my own village, Mrigauliya, Morang.<br />
In Nepal, we are politically and geographically divided into 14 zones, which each contain districts. Nationally there are 75 districts, and Morang is one of them. To break it down further – Morang has 69 village development committees (VDC) and Mrigauliya, where I live, is one of them. Mrigauliya has 10 wards, which each have a population of that ranges from 500 to 1000 people.<br />
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On Tuesday May 25, 2010, Kalpana Karki, who has been working in health sector for 7 years, and I went to visit a Dalit Community, people traditionally regarded as “untouchable,” or “outcast” in a village, Mrigauliya-5 to talk about HIV and AIDS. The community is very poor; only about 5% of the own their own land. We wanted to encourage women and young people from the community to get tested for HIV by holding a one day comprehensive and confidential health clinic in their local area.<br />
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The health clinic was conducted in collaboration with Purbanchal University college of Medicine and Allied Science, which is located at the centre of Mrigauliya, Sundarpur, Dulari, and Indrapur. The University staffed the clinic with two doctors: Dr. Robin Chaudhary and Dr. Mandip pd. Bhattarai, as well as two nursing staff: Niti Laxmi Gurung, Kamala Timsina, and senior nurse in charge Anita Thapa. The two medical lab technologists Rajan Guragai and Satish Chandra Chaudhary conducted the blood draws for HIV testing. The chief secretary of the computer department Niraj Guragai and his assistants were available full time during the group HIV counselling. Along with the university, there were many nonprofit organization which helped my project by providing their valuable suggestion such as Pahal, Yuba Dristi Samaj, Women’s Saving Club and Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC).<br />
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The main reason for selecting this community to focus on is that many of the men go to abroad (mostly to India) to work. Since there are not many income generating opportunities locally, men are forced to go to abroad in order to support their families. Only women, old men, and children are left in the village. The village situation is so dejected that there are no young men even to carry corpse (in Nepal, it is a common tradition for the sons and/or son-in-laws of the deceased to ‘carry the corpse’ to its final resting place). The people, mostly women, who remain in the village, work in the informal sector. There are about 250 women in the community, and over 20 percent of them consented to be tested. When we went to Mrigauliya VDC 6, 7, 8, and 9, some of the women got angry when we told them that we were there to talk about HIV and AIDS and test their blood if they were interested. It was very hard to convince those women. It took us a few days to make it happen, but by June 6, we were able to provide HIV testing for an additional 45 women. Some of the women thought that testing for HIV would put a question mark on their husband’s behavior and were scared of the potential for violence from their husbands and the respective community. Some worried that that we would publish their name if they were HIV positive, even though I told them that the test was confidential.<br />
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I have finished the project, but still there are many things we all need to consider regarding women’s reproductive health. While talking with about 300 women, I found that married women were more vulnerable to HIV than sex workers. This may come as a surprise, butmost of the married women never use condoms while having sexual relationships with their husbands, norhave they asked their husbands to use them. Some of them have never seen condoms and are not even aware of how they look. Some of the women who were interested in using condoms after our counseling said that they are unable to afford it. The cheapest condom called panther cost two rupees to buy one piece. How can a woman buy a condom when they don’t have a single rupee in their pocket? This is a big question we all need to think about. Yes, there are many organizations who organize 2-3 days campaign to distribute free condoms but how many days will these distributed condoms last?<br />
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Based on my time working on this health clinic, I realize that many issues like HIV and women’s health are connected to others, like access to condoms and ability to negotiate safer sex. If we truly want to address the HIV epidemic in communities like Mrigauliya-5, we all need to speak up to demand improved access to a full range of contraceptive services for women and girls in Nepal.<br />
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<em>This article was previously published in IWHC website entitled <a href="http://blog.iwhc.org/2010/08/young-visionaries-project-womens-health-clinic-in-rural-nepal/">Young Visionaries Project: Women’s Health Clinic in Rural Nepal</a></em></div>
Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-33569778547184224422011-08-28T10:13:00.000+02:002011-08-28T10:13:07.426+02:00"Everyone is Connected, Yet No One is in Control”: An Interview with One Young World Ambassador Erin Schrode<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e7dqefUVTTc/Tln4DpeAbpI/AAAAAAAABWY/steAnoRL800/s1600/Erin-Schrode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e7dqefUVTTc/Tln4DpeAbpI/AAAAAAAABWY/steAnoRL800/s1600/Erin-Schrode.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin Schrode photo credit @Oneyoungworld</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div closure_uid_czvzjz="202" style="text-align: justify;"><span closure_uid_czvzjz="201" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This year, at the second annual One Young World (OYW) summit in Zurich, more than a thousand young activists will converge to discuss critical global challenges. Erin Schrode of Ross, California is one of those activists. The co-founder and spokeswoman of </span><a href="http://www.teensturninggreen.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Teens Turning Green</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">, a non-profit that promotes global sustainability and youth leadership, Erin has been called a “sustainable prodigy” and “the face of the new green generation.” At the age of 20, she is a blogger, columnist, public speaker, full time NYU student (she won a scholarship), and has already spearheaded numerous projects with the modest goal of changing the world.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span id="more-1337"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin, who founded a project for Haitian students in need after working in earthquake disaster response, makes me and most of my 20-something friends look like fatigued and elderly large-bottoms. It would probably be annoying if she weren’t so damn inspiring. Recently, I was lucky enough to talk to her about what issues she’s taking with her to One Young World, whether she’s gotten any flack about her age, and what she thinks of the fact that her generation is labeled “apathetic.”</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here’s what Erin had to say.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Kathleen Hale (KH): </strong>Can you tell me a little bit about your background? Is there something in particular about your experience that shaped you as an agent for change?<strong> </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Erin Schrode (ES): </strong>Well I was born into a world of green. When my mom was pregnant with me, she read a book called <em>Diet for a Poisoned Planet</em>.You name an eco product, practice, or guideline and it was a part of our life.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">In essence, active citizenry is in my blood. My mom once went to a county meeting with a friend finishing chemo, and heard that cancer rates in our county had risen 60% in nine years, but that there was not enough funding to do any studies. In reaction, she organized a door-to-door march with 3,000 volunteers going to 60,000 households in one day to gather data for a scientific epidemiological mapping project. Our motto is: dream and do. No task, organization, industry, government body, or lobbying group is too big to take on. I cannot imagine my life any other way.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>KH: </strong>Do you think people take your activism less seriously because of your age?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>ES: </strong>I’ve said it before – to large crowds, rooms of politicians, media cameras, among others – and I will say it again: we are the future, so start paying attention. It is in <em>your own </em>best interests to become familiar with the habits, wants, and needs of the future voting block, consumer population, workforce, parents, industry leaders, politicians, clergy, and media personalities.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So yes, people have said to me, ‘go to school, get life experience, then come back and talk to us’—and I don’t profess to know it all, or even a small portion of much of anything, for that matter. But I can still take on issues I feel passionate about. I feel like, more so than at any time in history, we have the power to make ourselves heard; the digital revolution has not only made information instantly available at our fingertips, but has also enabled us to disseminate messages at the drop of a hat. Everyone is connected, yet no one is in control—and that is the decentralization aspect working to our advantage, empowering the masses of people.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>KH: </strong>Wow. You are like way younger than me and way more articulate—I literally just got shivers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>ES: </strong>…Thank you.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>KH:</strong> So, what’s the most condescending response you’ve gotten to your work?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>ES: </strong>I am typically able to handle flippant comments about the superficiality of advocating for eco and socially responsible living. Some responses, however, have really gotten to me—particularly a selection of the hundreds upon hundreds of comments on a feature profile written about me last year, which ran as the cover story of the Sunday <em>San Francisco Chronicle</em>. In addition to chastising me about my looks, bubbly teenage demeanor, optimistic outlook, and family wealth (of which there is none; I live with my single mom in a rented home and have been on scholarship my entire life), I found these (direct quotes from written comments) to be particularly condescending:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Could you be a little more sanctimonious and self-aggrandizing, please?</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gag me with a compostable spoon.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Another trust fund hippie saving the world on mommy and daddy’s dime. Sorry Erin, I can’t hear your lectures over the sound of the 50,000 BTU motor that heats the pool in your mom’s $5M Ross mansion.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>KH: </strong>Ugh, I think it’s really annoying that people call us an apathetic generation—and then, when people like you get up and take a stand, they jump all over you for your insolence and criticize your tactics. What do you think about the idea that our generation is apathetic?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>ES: </strong>Well, my catchphrase is, “APATHY IS OUT!” I see hope in my generation’s love of new technology—if for no other reason than we like to make our voices heard. Presently, too many words represent too little action for too few. My generation is of the instant gratification age, liking things to happen in short snippets, and very quickly. 140-characters is the new sound bite – and we have learned to use that brevity for high impact results. We can hold individuals, companies, and governments accountable, and are beginning to do so more and more frequently, in our own way.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>KH: </strong>At the first OYW summit last year, Bob Geldof told delegates that in order to institute change, they needed to become unreasonable people…Do you consider yourself to be unreasonable? <strong></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>ES: </strong>Oh yes. I would call myself quite unreasonable, in fact. You <em>must </em>be unreasonable in order to bring about necessary and veritable change. Living and breathing activism and humanitarianism day in and day out is not something that one can “turn on” or “turn off.” It requires a commitment to go out on a limb, to imagine something better and share that vision with the world.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our earth and its people are facing a great number of mammoth challenges today – and we need to shake it up in a big way, ushering in a new era of socially responsible and environmentally sustainable practices for individuals, corporations, and governments. If I’m seeking to electrify other people to join me in this cause, I have to first hook them with the dreams and visions, expose them to the pressing need for deep-rooted change. Why should we not dream dreams, as Desmond Tutu says? What have we to lose? Nothing, really. The way I see it is: let’s envision something better than we have, and make enough of a ruckus to bring it to life.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Originally published on The Huffington Post and </span><a closure_uid_czvzjz="174" href="http://oneyoungnewsroom.com/?p=1337"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">One Young World Newsroom</span></a></em></strong></div></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-18774805808291487802011-08-12T18:56:00.000+02:002011-08-12T19:01:28.897+02:00Nanum Munhwa for Peace and Justices<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2ahrOLwETB1dsYcevVheO7bqD5faC4zxvDdqaIovaOgZfoVSXniPfOZvjVpKsgmfAS2Z0i50bhHaWmyRlqLDpzXOMVIjiO5wHvqkqdz5Z3S81m-Jsv93gydnZPNhm99_F3xWaC1tFtRl/s1600/park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2ahrOLwETB1dsYcevVheO7bqD5faC4zxvDdqaIovaOgZfoVSXniPfOZvjVpKsgmfAS2Z0i50bhHaWmyRlqLDpzXOMVIjiO5wHvqkqdz5Z3S81m-Jsv93gydnZPNhm99_F3xWaC1tFtRl/s320/park.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Nohae in the middle with two students</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Park Nohae a labor, poet, thinker, agent of peace and democracy and the citizen of South Korea founded Nanum Munhwa “cultural hearing” in 2000 after releasing from prison. Nanum Munhwa is a non-profit social organization, which mainly focused on Global Peace Activities and deal with crises like “emerging ecological disasters, increasing polarization, war, famine, diseases and the disappearance of the spirituality.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The missions of the organization are towards peace, foster democracy, save lives of people and planet and create a community of friendship and hospitality. Interestingly, the organization has been already passed 10 years with the contribution of 3400 members who are farmers, students, house wife, youth and activists. It does not accept any sponsorship from the government partnership, large multinational corporations or media publicity to maintain independence and self-determination because “we think this is our responsibility to separate between good and bad money” says the general secretary, Sohee Im. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Let me describe you little bit how Labor Park become a poet and an agent of peace and democracy. When Park Nohae, was imprisoned in 1976 by the authoritarian dictator in South Korea, he was a socialist and a labor. However, he was already a poet, thinker and agent of peace and democracy in 15 August 1988His first poem “faceless” was published when he was in the jail but immediately it was banned by the then dictator. But it did not stop him to write rather encourage him. Again in 1991, he was arrested by Korean CIA for 7 years and 6 months. In 1993 he published his 2<sup>nd</sup> poem, while he was still imprisoned. In 1997, He published the collection of the essay called “People are the only hope”. Finally in 15 August 1998, he was freed by the democratic government. Then he decided to open an Organization, Nanum Munhwa. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8s5hML7-tgRxWkqDGN8PIGucjDyjc2llguIs7oiDTlbfF0YjJejHWKNfUZFq_iH0zgpAKcXx7Rs6K7aT1dBz-dzPUIId100EMH3Wpu2X5RbtLL8HAw565PJMls0FHmXwa8Kykn72Uwcqh/s1600/87cbfa084534535ada0f049bff5d4d7a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8s5hML7-tgRxWkqDGN8PIGucjDyjc2llguIs7oiDTlbfF0YjJejHWKNfUZFq_iH0zgpAKcXx7Rs6K7aT1dBz-dzPUIId100EMH3Wpu2X5RbtLL8HAw565PJMls0FHmXwa8Kykn72Uwcqh/s400/87cbfa084534535ada0f049bff5d4d7a.JPG" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the projects carried out by Nanum Munhwa..<br />
Photo @Organization Website</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Park carried out several campaigns and movement for Korean and people around the world (please refer the jpeg photo the organization which describes clearly about the work). He also traveled several countries to support people for bringing peace in their respective countries. To say few, when the US invaded Iraq, Park wanted to go to Iraq and supports the Iranian. As a result, he managed to go to Iraq in 2003 to help children suffering from wars, hunger and diseases. He didn’t stop there rather it was just a start of his journey to support people all around the world. After he came from Iraq, the organization started protesting against US Embassy in South Korea, “People used to say ‘Why do you stand for foreigner not local people’” says Sohee Im. She further added smiling; “finally they have understood us after 10 years”. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> In 2005, Aceh in Indonesia were suffering from severe poverty after the Tsunami, so Park started a movement to support goat for the victims so that the victims can survived. Similarly in the same year, the organization started one person demonstration in front of Samsung. “Many young Koreans are attractive to work in Samsung because of the salary and the benefits but many people die while operating. We want Samsung to apologize publicly for not even caring human body like a machine” states Sohee in a soft voice with gloomy face. As park believes that his feet compel him to go with a spirit and powerless love. “Once again I go where the spirit in my feet compels me to go. I shall go on a powerless love” a quote taken from the park which was shown in the slide presentation during our field trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In 2006, his feet compel him to go to Ain Al Halwa, the biggest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, where he got chance to meet with Children. He fell in love with the children and dream to open a school so he opened Zaituna (peace in Arabic) Nanum Munhw School. After opening school in Iraq, it was a time to support Korean democracy in 2008, thus the organization including other civil society organizations organized 100 days candle light with teenagers especially girls. Candle light was a symbolic image of democracy and social justices in South Korea. Girls wore the T-Shirt which says “We are the candle light girl” to support the peace movement for democracy. In the same year, he went to Sudan and Ethiopia in Africa to help people.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In 2010, he went to Peru and Bolivia to support people. He also organized a photo exhibition “Like them I am here”, photos that were taken by him during his travel. Additionally, last year he published the third poem “So you don’t disappear”. Some couple of months, he went to Burma to support the people by building school in Burma. “We just want to support them by building school; we don’t want to control Burmese people. They should be educated by their local teachers, love by their local parents and study in their own land” replied by Sohee when one of my friends asked “why do you build school but not education?” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">There are many activities that are conducted by the organizations but these are some of the few which interest me. To know more about the activities, please visit here: <a href="http://www.nanum.com/site/intro_english"><span style="color: #002060;">http://www.nanum.com/site/intro_english</span></a>. It was a fruitful and very inspiring visit to hear what one person can do to make differences in the world. Poet Park is one of many individual who is working harder to make the world a better place to live, where most of us take for granted. I remembered a famous quote from John F. Kennedy where he says “One person can make a difference, and every person should try.” When we try to help people, if we face any challenges we try to run away from the problem and/or start another work by leaving the existing work in the middle. I hope park life story will help all of us to be prepared and face challenges. Last but not the least thanks to my Korean friend Ran for arranging this wonderful trip couple of days back.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-25359781013491759572011-08-02T13:45:00.000+02:002011-08-02T13:51:44.738+02:00One Young World Co-founder Kate RobertsonTalking About My Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After the One Young World Conference in February 2010, I was selected as a Impact Ambassador for Media Impact. Being an impact ambassador, I was asked to write a resolution for media impact and a call for action. This is what I have written after attending several meetings and conference call via Skype with One Young World board members, five other impact ambassadors, few selected ambassadors and One Young World staffs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">In the belief that all people must have access to full and free information to foster democracy and hold governments, corporations, and individuals accountable, we demand that governments publish media policies and cease censorship, particularly of international media and social networking sites that make knowledge accessible and affordable to all citizens.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">We call upon One Young World Delegates to go to governments and request that they explain their media policies and publish and publicise their government's response using social media.</span>"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The call for the action will be voted in One Young World conference which is going to held in zurich Switzerland from 1-3 September. However, still I am in search of 1050 euro for sponsorship. Every individual can support any amount (minimum 10 Euro) directly here at my profile <a href="http://www.oneyoungworld.com/community/detail.asp?del_ID=2380">Profile and Sponsorship for Sunita Basnet</a> . I would be happy to discuss what I can do for you in return. The below is what the co-founder has said about my work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-67073789668110998432011-07-31T20:22:00.000+02:002011-08-02T09:24:18.486+02:00People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD): Watch Dog against Abuse of Power<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@Photo PSPD Website</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-char-indent-count: .5; text-indent: 6.0pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%;">When the military dictatorship was fully terminated through various movements and the civilian government was elected in 1993, there was a need to institutionalized civil participation in democracy, state power and socio-economic reform. With a great realization and support of activists, scholars and lawyers, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) was founded in 1994 as a “civil” organization to <span class="apple-style-span">promote justice and human rights in Korean society through the participation of the people</span>. Since then, it has been able to operate with the help of its 12,450 members paying monthly fee which includes 68.7% of 180 million won of its total income as of 31 December 2010. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-char-indent-count: .5; text-indent: 6.0pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-char-indent-count: .5; text-indent: 6.0pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 150%;"> One of the successes of PSPD is that it believes on “people power” to influence the government through various campaigns and actions. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal;">The main activities of PSPD are issuing policy reports for alternative and reform, lobbying NA for enactment or legislation and publicizing campaign including press conference, symposiums and demonstration like street campaign.</span> “Most of the time group demonstration are prohibited by the government and demonstrations are restricted but still we continue”, says director of PSPD, Park Jung Eun. The movements includes from reducing the phone rates to blacklisting corrupted candidates in the 2000 general election. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal;">The defeating campaign not vote for corrupted candidates 2000 has been done by hundreds of NGOs including PSPD. </span><span class="Apple-style-span">The movement encouraged people to abstain vote for corrupted leaders and disobedience movement against the elections law with unconstitutional provisions.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> It is said that this movement targeted 86 political leaders and about 70% candidate failed to elect just because of this movement. Although it was a risky campaign, this is one of the most popular and successful campaign run by PSPD, added director.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-char-indent-count: .5; text-indent: 6.0pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-char-indent-count: .5; text-indent: 6.0pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%;">Still there are many campaigns lead by PSPD such as Campaign against Korea- US FTA, Campaign for lowering education fee, housing, medical service; campaign for the disclosure of investigation on the sunken Cheonan warship and verification of the National assembly, Judicial reform and protection for socio-economic rights of citizens. PSPD has also been involved actively to stop the construction of Naval Base at Gangjeong in Jeju Island. Park says that Ministry of Defense and the Navy of South Korea are constructing a naval base to destroy the local communities. According to the park the people’s opinion has been neglected and distorted in Jeju Island. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-char-indent-count: .5; text-indent: 6.0pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 6pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 150%;">This is our last field trip for this semester. All of these field trips have been very fruitful. Visiting various CSOs, civic </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">organizations</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and NGOs have helped us to network and learn about their struggles towards achieving human rights and democracy in the country. We also get to know how civic organizations or a civil society organizations have struggled since their formation in South Korea, despiites of various restrictions from the government. There are many things that activists, concern actors and CSOs from South East Asia especially Nepal (my origin country) has to learn from the work and activities of CSOs in Korea.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></div></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-16182854558401457252011-07-26T08:24:00.000+02:002011-07-26T08:53:58.431+02:00Former Torture Center Transform to Home of the Victims of Human Rights Violations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span closure_uid_30s1ua="135" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The Counter Espionage Department” a former police station that was used as a torture center especially to suppress democratic activities and carried investigation with torture by secret police officer from 2 October 1976 until 21 July 2005 transformed into the home of the victims of human rights violations known as National Policy Agency Human Rights Protection Center to heal old wounds, “reborn” police to protect people’s human rights and a memorial for those who died while involving in pro-democratic activities. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrepZNK8cGfMUFBGuPX-iTRWynEPHylK-hyBquxVCFRACZa7T5rgD3ZiLxkFj_Q2a6BXa5EcZfbZvsic5Wf8JK73taxLKpLdiu3IeYeIDb83hzv_HdIW-K7LlrYSKntA5KAjlc6KXayVD/s1600/kdemocracy.or.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrepZNK8cGfMUFBGuPX-iTRWynEPHylK-hyBquxVCFRACZa7T5rgD3ZiLxkFj_Q2a6BXa5EcZfbZvsic5Wf8JK73taxLKpLdiu3IeYeIDb83hzv_HdIW-K7LlrYSKntA5KAjlc6KXayVD/s320/kdemocracy.or.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: kdemocracy.or (Park photo and the building)</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span closure_uid_30s1ua="258" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">During 1980s, many pro-democratic activities were banned and activists were tortured and were forced to make false confessions on spying for North Korea. As a result, a student, Park Jong-chul at Seoul National University was killed by the secret police in room 509 from extreme tortured with water and electricity shocks, while interrogation during the military regime in 14 January 1987. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_30s1ua="284" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“This was not a first case of human rights violation in the South Korea since military regimes. There were many activists, students and civilians who died, but death from torture was the most horrific one” says the director of human rights protection center, Mr. Jang, Sin-Joong.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_30s1ua="343" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">However, the secret police report says that the student died accidently when the officer hit on a desk in an investigation room. “People were laughing and it was totally unbelievable” says Professor </span><span closure_uid_30s1ua="352" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 새굴림;">Hyo-Je CHO who was accompanying with us during our field trip to the center. “How a person can die just hitting on a desk by an officer” he added with a surprising face. Later the authentic result was published with the help of NGOs and CSOs. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">All of these incidents within 30 years forced to transform the tortured center to human rights protection center in 22 February 2005. The main purpose of the center is to protect and promote human rights education among police. “Despites of any changes including the change of government, we want to open intrusive human rights in the country although it’s very challenging” respond superintendent, Sohn Chang-Hyon to the participant’s questions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In doing so, the center has published a book for police, conference to police where one police who worked to protect human rights are awarded (A female police was awarded recently), human rights training for riot police, compulsory human rights training for all police, systematically collect the tortured record of 30 years and published them so that the police won’t repeat the torture in the future. Recently, the center lobby the government to protect human rights including freedom of speech and movement in Bhusan but “we failed and this is our limitation” respond by both the director and the superintendent of the agency. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_30s1ua="285" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span closure_uid_30s1ua="232" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Interestingly, the building also contain a meeting room where civilians can hire the room in advance with free of charge for educational purpose such as a class for human rights educations, meeting related with Human rights and so on. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody closure_uid_30s1ua="304">
<tr><td closure_uid_30s1ua="323" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4Fi5S8vvf7iwJaD9HEIqNstf5S41HmiM1sMJ7VOCQPbx2zyKMjPqkiyLs_BZRzKvMjT7PJdoRbBhVXg4AeTIIkjaICN5kM2R9kzppbm322FiQaZrEJcSbAVHQpGOnJUy-tW-i6w6oSYZ/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4Fi5S8vvf7iwJaD9HEIqNstf5S41HmiM1sMJ7VOCQPbx2zyKMjPqkiyLs_BZRzKvMjT7PJdoRbBhVXg4AeTIIkjaICN5kM2R9kzppbm322FiQaZrEJcSbAVHQpGOnJUy-tW-i6w6oSYZ/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_30s1ua="257" style="text-align: center;"><div closure_uid_7jqiea="113">Photo: Sajee (MAINS Students with Director and Superintendent of the center)</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_30s1ua="285" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span closure_uid_30s1ua="232" closure_uid_xt69s3="113" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Personally, I am very amazed and inspired by the work of the center which has only 8 staff in the center. It clearly shows that the size really does not matter while you are working for positive change what matter is the work you conduct in the name of People or for people. I hope to have this center in the country like Nepal and many more where human rights have been violated during the restoration of democracy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_30s1ua="285" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_30s1ua="285" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-82988091004131291812011-07-10T16:13:00.000+02:002011-07-11T06:10:22.324+02:00Multicultural Support Centre for Asian Women: A Shelter for Migrant Wives in South Korea<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrpnQDv0CowlJGoI48WSoYDJxSYS-fUoegVWfCLP8P5Ha6pX40x52W4M5msAAyEBdd0EDXSdsVaQw0PADvexOElktO9CL4kYnrhm15hKENRV5YjLjXYZMRsqeO2Z8fdgZHXS-z0zFBO-6/s1600/2077712556_d19a0e44_DSC04490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrpnQDv0CowlJGoI48WSoYDJxSYS-fUoegVWfCLP8P5Ha6pX40x52W4M5msAAyEBdd0EDXSdsVaQw0PADvexOElktO9CL4kYnrhm15hKENRV5YjLjXYZMRsqeO2Z8fdgZHXS-z0zFBO-6/s400/2077712556_d19a0e44_DSC04490.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">@photo from the organization Website</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Yesterday I went to Asian Multi-Cultural Migrant Women’s Organization as a part of my field trip with our (MAINS) Director Professor Hyo-Je Cho located at Bupyeong-Gu, Incheon, South Korea. Previously the organization used to be called the Incheon Women’s Hotline, which works to protect women’s rights and develop the women’s welfare. Sometime people get confused with Hotline but it is a small part says the president Kim Seung Mi Gyeong. Therefore in 2003, the hotline replaced its name to “Multi-Cultural Migrant Women’s Organization” and has started focusing on counseling and training for women to eradicate gender based domestic violence including the sexual harassment. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlYgg1gnTZAaro7-cBqwl4Y1PWjZ1e8mi_HbkwQ0kqVvLTihi6-WF0gRKZgjIEM2vgvZY3JPg9Ux8Dk9B9o579leyZO2xLnQd8fBz2U0e4T1irgbYi1OTipJUUW2zdqTUq4-lubfKAi_h/s1600/Stop%252520violence%252520against%252520women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlYgg1gnTZAaro7-cBqwl4Y1PWjZ1e8mi_HbkwQ0kqVvLTihi6-WF0gRKZgjIEM2vgvZY3JPg9Ux8Dk9B9o579leyZO2xLnQd8fBz2U0e4T1irgbYi1OTipJUUW2zdqTUq4-lubfKAi_h/s400/Stop%252520violence%252520against%252520women.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">@photo from the Organization</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">There were several cases of migrant women killed by their spouse and their family members. For instance, A 19 year’s old Vietnamese girl was married to 47 years Korean man in 2007 but she was murder by her spouse who was just married for two month. Her death body was found only two weeks after her death. Similarly, the law to protect migrant wives is discriminatory. Under the current law, Migrant wives only get chance to apply for citizenship after 2 years with husband’s consent, which is totally unfair for migrant wives. What if the husband marries another Korean woman before two years? Is there any other way to take legal action by the migrant wife? Of course not!! Furthermore, many Korean families do not allow their daughter in law to be in touch with migrated workers from their respected countries, which forced some of the migrated wives not to even care their own sisters in Korea. Therefore there was the need of special program from migrant wives and the organization has started focusing on it.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKCLfH2him9XKGKT5bGz9CnsywXDoiqGV30-UuSx5r9H_IlmBM_x5WGUxYVdbYEIyEBnwcOSOlAZRKEnK4fG9kKP7FzfaJIrYebiDXjd5pGo9L6z_G3hIx4vX7KS4CesJUWO53nLpsFxN/s1600/2077712556_f624372f_IMG_0278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKCLfH2him9XKGKT5bGz9CnsywXDoiqGV30-UuSx5r9H_IlmBM_x5WGUxYVdbYEIyEBnwcOSOlAZRKEnK4fG9kKP7FzfaJIrYebiDXjd5pGo9L6z_G3hIx4vX7KS4CesJUWO53nLpsFxN/s400/2077712556_f624372f_IMG_0278.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">@photos from the Organization</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Every Saturday, the organization provides Korean language to foreigners especially from Vietnam, Philippines and China. “It was because majority groups in migrant wives are from these three countries and they form an autonomous group and join us" says the president of the organization. But there are also various interest groups such as home fashion, dancing club and media group related with the organizations. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The organization was mostly run by women with the support of men. I was very much impressed as soon as I entered to the organization. Two ladies from Thailand were learning Korean from two Korean ladies. We were warmly welcomed and then introduced each other, with a brief outline of the program. In 2007, more than 500 people including 127 migrant women and their husband’s and a small number of Korean women from 17 different countries use the organization to protect and promote their rights.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other projects carried out by the organization are acting program for migrant wives’ husband, Asian women community project, shelter program and programs for sex trafficking.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">No matter how much the Migrant women and the organization related with them like the organization I have mentioned above do well, until and unless the family accept and treat migrant wives as their native, there is a probability that violence against women will continue which have been foster by deep rooted patriarchy system in Korea.</span></span></div><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><strong>To know more about the organization</strong></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">, please visit the link </span></i> </span></span></em><a href="http://www.hotline21.or.kr/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Multicultural Support Centre for Asian Women</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <em>and </em></span></span><a href="http://blog.daum.net/eternity2162"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Multicultural Support Centre for Asian Women in Blog</span></a></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-47682089762204475622011-07-03T14:48:00.000+02:002011-07-04T03:55:03.178+02:00Book Review: Corporate Warriors- The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: keep-all;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt; border-left: windowtext 1pt; border-right: windowtext 1pt; border-top: windowtext 1pt; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-top: 0cm;">Corporate Warriors-The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry, 2003. P.W. Singer. 340 pages. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: keep-all;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHb3V25TOjrlAS4uagbPSAtavLc_kXIihwWsqZI_FIRl_pomFI2lRv6cc5KDZdHuxRn569n7gUZMOXaHJ6OTKzM1MWu1vsakvj6UVA3fmIPTlej0pCFq9TsTnb54x0tsMac9IoYjYfFbj/s1600/corporate_warriors_rise_privatized_military_indust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHb3V25TOjrlAS4uagbPSAtavLc_kXIihwWsqZI_FIRl_pomFI2lRv6cc5KDZdHuxRn569n7gUZMOXaHJ6OTKzM1MWu1vsakvj6UVA3fmIPTlej0pCFq9TsTnb54x0tsMac9IoYjYfFbj/s400/corporate_warriors_rise_privatized_military_indust.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">After Singer researched the post-war situation in Bosnia supported by UN in 1996, he interviewed regional specialists, government officials, local military analysts and peacekeeper and soon discovered that some of them were the employees of a small private company based in Virginia called Military Professional Resources Incorporated (MPRI), but were performing tasks inherently military. It was very difficult to find what/who they work for? That is the reason the author, went to DR Congo, Sierra Leone and Angola to study about the role of private military firm and has written this book on the basis of interviews, observations and secondary data.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 굴림; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: keep-all;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">This book is mainly targeted three different audiences such as academic world, world of policy (individual working in the field of foreign affairs and defense matters) and general readers. The words used in this book are simple and easy to understand. The present book under review has divided the content into three different types with 14 different topics. Let me first briefly outline the contents of the book. The first part discloses the rise of privatized military including the history of the industry. The Second part many focused on the organization, classification, and operation of privatized military forces. And, the third part emphasizes on the implications and morality of the firm.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 굴림; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: keep-all;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">In chapter two explained the history of the industry; the end of cold war demanded and emerged the private military force. When the Berlin wall fell and the global order collapsed, there was a security gap and the private market rushed to fill the gap. I was very much surprised and shocked to read the availability of massive arms stock (in case of Nepal) in open market in chapter 4. For instance, in Uganda, Ak-47 is similar with the price of chicken and which was also a price of goat in Kenya (p.54). Although the question is how many people can afford chicken or goat in these countries and what quantity of chicken and goat the author is referring, but still the fear remains what will be the future of the world if the availability of sophisticated weapons are common. The author also talks about the various factors that have contributed to make these weapons common. In one interview, Singh said that, "A ten-year-old can learn how to use an AK-47 in under thirty minutes, which means another addition to the demand side in terms of the threats produced. "</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 굴림; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: keep-all;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The new privatized military industry encompasses hundreds of companies, thousands of employees, and billions of dollars in revenue. Thus, the Military Consulting firm, MPRI chapter mainly raises the two questions. First, Is MPRI just a private extension of the US Army? Second, is it a mechanism for rewarding former US officers after their retirement? This is because another chapter disclose about the industry employee pool and the value of ex where PMF tend to hire former personnel of national and multinational militaries. However, there is a contractual dilemma from both weak and strong states. Weak states are inadequate and insufficient and have no alternative other than hiring the private military. For instance, in Sierra Leone, the government requested the private firm to saves the state. Similarly, Strong states are no longer trained to involve in fight. If a state is no longer able to provide security to its citizens, does the state hold any legitimacy to control its citizens?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: keep-all;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 굴림; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The book also describes the similarities in terms of structure between private and government military force. But the question, where does the corporate military firm get legitimacy still remains unanswered.The title protrays a holistic continental scenario while the content is strategic.The author highlighted balancing proper civilian control with the military professionals needs for autonomy because the legitimacy of the PMF still remains questionable and debatable. There have been the cases of human rights abuses of the law and lack of accountability and immunity from the PMF. In 2003, the media was flooded with torture of prisoners held in Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, but none of them have been charged with a crime. The US military police and CIA also recruited two PMSCs, which was even accepted by CACI investigation. The author describes about the morality of PMF and found international law as inapplicable to the PMF. There is no law for PMF industry and accountability become diffused and more difficult to track. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 굴림; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The author argues that if the public protection hired employees through private firms, the security becomes private goods not collective. Thus, the rationale for citizen loyalty is weakened and the regime’s legitimacy is contested. The questions that are hanging on the air are; whether PMF should be involved in the name of protecting the assets of states or their citizens or the both?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 굴림; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> </span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt; border-left: windowtext 1pt; border-right: windowtext 1pt; border-top: windowtext 1pt; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-top: 0cm;">Final Comment</span></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt; border-left: windowtext 1pt; border-right: windowtext 1pt; border-top: windowtext 1pt; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-top: 0cm;">:</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 굴림; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Overall, the book provides the clear understanding about the development of private military after the failed of public military force. The book opens up many questions, myths of sovereign country and the power of capitalism. The book has only included certain powerful countries like USA and Certain African Countries. The author should also take into consideration of developing countries especially Asia, which is lacking in the book. As one of my World Pulse friend says, " the tittle portrays a holistic continental scenario while the content is strategic."There are many serious problems of state and for alternative safety; both the weak and the strong states have used private military force, but the huge mega military has lacked public trust and has the crises of legitimacy. It was my first book to read about the private military force and find it worth reading. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 굴림; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; word-break: keep-all;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 굴림; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"></span></div></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-44837070105898353092011-06-26T14:13:00.000+02:002011-07-08T15:02:37.329+02:00Social Status of Nepalese Women<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_J523MQ36LU0_NJO1GoAXqhXvtJQUGy88S0blhkmtOgA0ss5J2W7PtWe3aZxSJxMG3qZZkxIe-l96XrJG3wzuwzIPO9v1b5lNPanGYXyIiFeUgoxlkqrezGB3Ubgs_gLiSwVtuy-4g4u/s1600/UN_Flag.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="172" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_J523MQ36LU0_NJO1GoAXqhXvtJQUGy88S0blhkmtOgA0ss5J2W7PtWe3aZxSJxMG3qZZkxIe-l96XrJG3wzuwzIPO9v1b5lNPanGYXyIiFeUgoxlkqrezGB3Ubgs_gLiSwVtuy-4g4u/s200/UN_Flag.gif" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">@United Nations</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"> Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) proclaims that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedom set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, including distinction based on sex</i> (Seo, 2011; Nepal law commission, 2007). However, violence against women is a widespread phenomenon in Nepal. The three dimensional of gender injustices are economic, cultural and political, as Fraser mentioned in new left review (2009). </span><span lang="EN-GB">Nepalese women </span><span lang="EN-US">particularly in rural areas</span><span lang="EN-GB"> are “disempowered”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB">[1]</span></span></span></a>resulting from patriarchy,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB">[2]</span></span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">social and cultural prejudices and civil and political unjust that legitimize and maintain unequal power relation between men and women (UNESCAP, 2000 p.14; Ghandhi, 2004, p95) in all private and public sphere. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Some of the common forms of violence Nepalese women are subjected to are “domestic violence,” “sexual exploitation,” “incest,” “rape,” “sexual harassment,” “sex discrimination,” “medical abuse,” “marital rape,” “pornography and abuse of women in media,” “custodial abuse,” “female foeticide,” “dowry-related violence and murder,” and “physical and mental torture,” “culture-bound practices” and “ritual abuse” (Tuladhar cited on UNESCAP report 2000). These have been exacerbated by several others factors such as poverty,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[3]</span></span></span></a> domestic violence, trafficking, financial dependence, lack of education, and limited training opportunities, which have challenged to exercise women’s right in the country (UNESCAP, 2000; Martin, 2008).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7e4VNYR68Gu6WKvNrwY6ZpvaMw6xGlQ5krQ5qBHC02wG4Yy8gG1ZQaCY9CWYKGGc1RdlGrn-4wYlnaipqaJr-UL5kz2xd5EO5FDqKhyphenhyphenEphx0T5TdYsggJza1AgVAVcPpcgJloZjyc8gy_/s1600/frank%2527s+website.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7e4VNYR68Gu6WKvNrwY6ZpvaMw6xGlQ5krQ5qBHC02wG4Yy8gG1ZQaCY9CWYKGGc1RdlGrn-4wYlnaipqaJr-UL5kz2xd5EO5FDqKhyphenhyphenEphx0T5TdYsggJza1AgVAVcPpcgJloZjyc8gy_/s320/frank%2527s+website.jpg" width="204" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Frank's Website</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Nepalese society creates a distinct role for men and women since its formation. Men are the “breadwinner,” “protector”, “provider” and held a superior position within the “domestic mode of production” and control the distribution of resources and goods in the family (Subedi, 2010; p3-7). </span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US">Although women in rural villages care their family members as they rise, still most of the parents preferred sons over daughter (Martin, 2008). As a result, many women from rural and urban areas are obligated to give a birth to a child until they have a son. Their bodies are treated as if like a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">child bearing machines</i>. It is widely believed in a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">traditional</i> family that the birth of a son paves their way to heaven (c<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hhora paye swarga jaane</i>)<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[4]</span></span></span></a> therein fosters </span><span lang="EN-US">the derogatory attitude towards women </span><span lang="EN-US">(Malla, 2000). Even now, most of the parents prefer to wait just to give birth to a son (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dhilo paye, chhora paye</i>) in the name of preserving the customs.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPYFKizRMSdiOQxIXZAKFRC1ZuHeqNJPD1N4KxqhAPik3ycAAb0CLTV45oqPG1oVm2CN8mrtOykYOPu_w0ERt2Evy3LfH_6bkAon8nVl85jZmqSsth8f2xat0TuwZxGKNkWSE2FLQv9oT/s1600/kasamproject.org.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPYFKizRMSdiOQxIXZAKFRC1ZuHeqNJPD1N4KxqhAPik3ycAAb0CLTV45oqPG1oVm2CN8mrtOykYOPu_w0ERt2Evy3LfH_6bkAon8nVl85jZmqSsth8f2xat0TuwZxGKNkWSE2FLQv9oT/s1600/kasamproject.org.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">@Khasamproject.com</span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">On the other hand, girls are discriminated from the day they are born.</span><span lang="EN-US"> From the early ages, boys are prepared towards 'outside world' to involve in “productive”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[5]</span></span></span></a> and decision making function, whereas girls are detained to the 'inside world' to learn the household chores to be a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">perfect</i> “home maker,” “dutiful and loyal wife,” “loving mother,” “subservient” and “service provider.” In the same way, d</span><span lang="EN-US">aughters are considered to be given away as a “gift” in marriages in the name of traditional practices called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kanya daan.</i> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"> Even if women are employed, they are assigned for lower clerical jobs. Their income are used as supplement, similar to what feminist Fraser define “Androcentrism” during the critique of the old paradigm of movements (2009, p101).</span><span lang="EN-US"> Generally, it is acknowledged that son brightens the whole world, whereas a daughter can only brighten the kitchen (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chhora paye sansar ujayalo, chhori bhaye banchha Ujyal). </i>The society gives the full rights only to sons to carry the family name, perform death rituals and rite </span><span lang="EN-GB">(Subedi, 2010; p.16)</span><span lang="EN-US">, regardless of some legal provisions to eliminate gender based inequalities. </span><span lang="EN-US">This is to mention just a few points from Subedi’s work: <i>From the very early age, female are treated as if they are not as good as men. Young girls are fed after their brother, young wives are look after husbands, elderly women look after their sons and so the cycle continues </i>(2010, p7). </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"> On the other hand, wife is also taken as the dust of the husband foot (</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Srimati bhaneko paitalako dhulo ho)</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> so, a husband owns a full “power” to do “whatever” and “whenever” he wants. This belief has also enhanced the cases of domestic violence in Nepal. There were</span><span lang="EN-US"> 1,100 cases of domestic violence that have been documented at the central cell for women and children police headquarters only in 2007. The most highlighted case was Husun Idrisi from Nepalgunj, one of the western cities of Nepal. Her husband poured kerosene in her body, set a fire nearby and locked inside a toilet for not bringing enough marriage dowry, but she was survived with the help of neighbors when they heard her shouts for help (Dhakal, 2008). Similarly, four women were killed just in a week space from “zones free of violence against women”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[6]</span></span></span></a> in dowry related disputes by their family members in the last week of January 2008 (Dhakal, p548). How can we expect a respectable position of women in public spaces, if they are ignored and sometimes killed in their own families, by their own relatives? </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There are also hundreds of undisclosed cases of domestic violence against women. Women social lawyers and workers argues that almost 70% of rape incidents are by close relatives and go unreported but the crime research branch denied the fact and only admit that 40% of rape incidents are concealed (UNESCAP, 2000). Yet, there is no any instances record of sexual cruelty in the form of sexual intercourse between a husband and a wife’s will, although there exist many.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_4s7eb5F0UP9fMZfKw4uUyAAnE6zVHJNBAZpvEeFX8ygu1rzEYhAFGg0DdNvtIPog8Ip9LpsiXQTT0KrIxG9btmqBln_2vlIkiPcesg0Rb2-n5nJoOIersB8IYZUgYzm9DqMwmpZt7yM/s1600/TheASiaFoundation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_4s7eb5F0UP9fMZfKw4uUyAAnE6zVHJNBAZpvEeFX8ygu1rzEYhAFGg0DdNvtIPog8Ip9LpsiXQTT0KrIxG9btmqBln_2vlIkiPcesg0Rb2-n5nJoOIersB8IYZUgYzm9DqMwmpZt7yM/s1600/TheASiaFoundation.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">@The Asia Foundation</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> The society accepts the fighting between wife and husband as a fire in the hay which flares up quickly and dies as immediately (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">logne swasniko jhagada paralko ago</i>). Thus, interference in others family matter is “not accepted” and “not advisable,” even if it is the case of intensive and serious violence and abuse (Dhakal, 2008). Additionally, women trafficking for the purpose of prostitutions are now widely increasing in an alarming rate<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[7]</span></span></span></a> in Nepal but there is no factual information on how many women are trafficked every day, except than the Trafficking in Persons and Transportation Control Act (TPTA) 2007. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9RDC06EVBxdCV_y5u5ik33Dhkf9wykDf_ISvSnXC8BwwDUlkjXLhnznnmWnYOVLod1HTKsfcMDMjLdiC0M349qeT4H3J8WA0WRmQpJYwmgtY2GhmPngFHdrSiHbd1Hp1WVcghPRF1y9l/s1600/Stop%252520violence%252520against%252520women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9RDC06EVBxdCV_y5u5ik33Dhkf9wykDf_ISvSnXC8BwwDUlkjXLhnznnmWnYOVLod1HTKsfcMDMjLdiC0M349qeT4H3J8WA0WRmQpJYwmgtY2GhmPngFHdrSiHbd1Hp1WVcghPRF1y9l/s200/Stop%252520violence%252520against%252520women.jpg" width="197" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">@google.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There are number of advocacy campaigns for the public denouncement of violence against women y some NGOs (UNESCAP, 2000, p.22), but still violence against women is rampant. There is a need to understand that prejudices come from traditional norms and values and are created and fostered by human beings long time back which can be changed to benefits both sexes and make our society a better place. Women should be recognized as a partner rather than a subordinator to men. Moreover, gender should be taken into consideration as a necessity in development work to create a gender equal society.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>References</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). “Violence against Women in South Asia.” 2000. p11-80.</span><span lang="EN-US"> ISBN:9211200245</span><span lang="EN-US">. </span><span lang="EN-US">United Nations publication. New York</span><span lang="EN-US">. Print.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">Malla</span><span lang="EN-US">, </span><span lang="EN-US">Sapana Pradhan</span><span lang="EN-US">. “</span><span lang="EN-US">Property Rights of Nepalese Women</span><span lang="EN-US">.”</span><span lang="EN-US"> <i>FES Nepal</i></span><span lang="EN-US">. </span><span lang="EN-US">March 2000</span><span lang="EN-US">.</span><span lang="EN-US">Web. 20 June 2011. <a href="http://www.nepaldemocracy.org/gender/property_rights.htm">http://www.nepaldemocracy.org/gender/property_rights.htm</a>.</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></div><div class="citation" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">Subedi, Prativa.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US">Nepali Women at the Crossroads: Gender and Development</span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">. Tripureshwar, Kathmandu, Nepal: Sahayogi Press, 2010. p1-138. Print.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">Martin, Jodie. "Women and Patriarchy in Nepal: The Legal System and Patriarchal Structure Continues to Discriminate." </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Activism by Suite 101</span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">. 21 Aug.2008. Web.17 May 2011. <a href="http://www.suite101.com/content/patriarchy-in-nepal-a65341">http://www.suite101.com/content/patriarchy-in-nepal-a65341</a>.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="X-NONE">Seo, Youngpyo. "Seminar </span><span lang="EN-US">5</span><span lang="X-NONE">: Feminist Critique of the Old Paradigm of Movements."</span><span lang="X-NONE"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Social Problems and Social Movements politics.</i></span><span lang="X-NONE"> MAINS. SKHU Classroom. 2011. Lecture.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">Ghandhi, P.R.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US">Blackstone’s International Human Rights Documents</span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">. 4<sup>th</sup> edition. 8 Sept. 2004. p95-104, p472-505. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0199273065. Print.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Nepal law commission. “</span><span lang="EN-US">Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.</span><span lang="EN-US">” 15 June 2007.Print.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">Fraser, Nancy. “Feminism, Capitalism and the Cunning of history,” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New Left review 56.</i> Mar-Apr 2009. </span><span lang="EN-US">p</span><span lang="EN-US">97-117. Print.</span><span lang="EN-US"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br clear="all" /></span><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /><div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;"><div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 40pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title="">[1]</a></span></span></span></span><span lang="X-NONE"> The term “Disempowered</span><span lang="X-NONE">”</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span lang="EN-US">has been borrowed from the </span><span lang="X-NONE">author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nepali Women at the Crossroads </i></span><span lang="EN-US">which </span><span lang="X-NONE">means </span><span lang="EN-US">that women </span><span lang="X-NONE">have no control over resources or information, decision making role and </span><span lang="EN-US">have </span><span lang="X-NONE">to work under someone else’s direction</span><span lang="X-NONE"> (p16<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">)</i>.</span></span></div></div><div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;"><div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE">[2]</span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Patriarchy </span><span lang="X-NONE">is a constant societal structure </span><span lang="EN-US">in Nepal that </span><span lang="EN-GB">refers to the rule of men’s where </span><span lang="EN-GB">men</span><span lang="EN-GB"> dominate oppressed and exploit women</span><span lang="X-NONE"> to extract benefits.</span><span lang="X-NONE"> It also encourage men to be sexually assertive to perceive women in sexual term (Subedi, 2010). </span></span></div></div><div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;"><div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""></a><span lang="X-NONE"> <span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE">[3]</span></span></span> UNESCAP reported that about 31% of the total population lives below the national poverty line, whereas, about 25% of the total population live below $1 per day in 2004 (2007, P.106).</span><span lang="X-NONE"> After signing MDGs, the government of Nepal has committed to reduce the national poverty line to 21% and population living $1 to 17% by 2015.</span></span></div></div><div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;"><div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE">[4]</span></span></span></span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">I have written the </span><span lang="EN-US">patriarchy Nepali </span><span lang="X-NONE">beliefs which </span><span lang="X-NONE">reflects the derogatory attitude towards </span><span lang="X-NONE">Nepalese </span><span lang="X-NONE">female</span><span lang="X-NONE"> in the bracket and italicized. All of these beliefs </span><span lang="X-NONE">that are used in my paper are taken from Malla. </span><span lang="X-NONE"></span></span></div></div><div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;"><div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""></a><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE">[5]</span></span></span></span><span lang="X-NONE">Productive work refers to the works that generate money</span><span lang="X-NONE"> in the form of salary, wages or income</span><span lang="X-NONE">. </span></span></div></div><div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;"><div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE">[6]</span></span></span></span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span lang="EN-US">A year back, the local </span><span lang="X-NONE">civil society organizations have</span><span lang="X-NONE"> declared</span><span lang="X-NONE"> “zones free of violence against women”</span><span lang="EN-US"> in </span><span lang="X-NONE">Rupandehi and Nawalparasi</span><span lang="EN-US">,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> two of 75 districts in Nepal, </span><span lang="EN-US">but</span><span lang="X-NONE"> four women were killed for not bringing enough dowries. </span><span lang="EN-US">This is one of hundreds</span><span lang="X-NONE"> growing culture of impunity throughout the country.</span></span></div></div><div id="ftn7" style="mso-element: footnote;"><div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1138292383480256700&postID=4483707010589835309#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE">[7]</span></span></span></span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span lang="EN-US">It is estimated that about 300,000 women are trafficked and forced to be prostitute only in Indian brothels. Other destinations of women trafficking are Middle East and some European countries.</span></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com4Nepal28.394857 84.12400826.345273999999996 80.05047 30.44444 88.197546tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1138292383480256700.post-67356187071152259762011-05-21T05:31:00.000+02:002011-05-22T03:15:54.699+02:00Save Relationship: Married or NOT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She requested that every day for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told Jane about my wife's divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outsidethe door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - <strong>dead.</strong></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push thru with the divorce.-- At least, in the eyes of our son--- I'm a loving husband....</span><br />
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<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!</span></strong><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don't share this, nothing will happen to you.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you do, you just might save a marriage.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes/vocabulary/in-a-relationship-married-or-not-you-should-read-this/196553797054870">Facebook</a></span><br />
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</div></div>Sunita Basnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15743510193725643109noreply@blogger.com0