Social Studies Note for Grade X | Unit- 5 | Lesson- 10 Rights of Women and Indigenous Nationalities

Unit: Five

Lesson: 10

Rights of Women and Indigenous Nationalities

All the people are equal in democratic system. Every citizen has the right to participate in the governing system. State has to bring every community, sex, caste, religion and class into the mainstream of development without any discrimination on the basis of the principle of inclusion. The Constitution of Nepal and other prevailing laws have established rights to the people of every sector and class.

Rights of Women

Women are not less capable than men. Their contribution in the development cannot be underestimated. They have been playing significant roles in development since the very beginning. For further betterment, women empowerment is a must. Women empowerment is possible only if their rights are ensured. Women have occupied more than half population of the country. The presence and participation of women in the development may double the pace of development.

Provisions made in the constitution, laws and policy making level to establish the rights of women:

1. Ending the gender discrimination
2. Equal parental rights to women without gender discrimination
3. Equal rights of couple in the affairs of property and family
4. Formation of equitable society on the basis of proportional, inclusive and participatory principle
5. Formation of National Women Commission
6. Guarantee of social justice that socially backward women also can participate in all state structures and bodies on the basis of inclusive principle
7. No any physical, mental, sexual or psychological of any other kind of violence against women, of any kind of oppression based on religious, social and cultural tradition and other practices and such an act is punishable and the victim has the right to compensation.
8. No discrimination in the use of law on any ground of origin, religion, color, caste, sex, disability or any other
9. Participation of women in all state structures and bodies on the basis of proportional inclusive principle
10. Political objective of the state, to assure the fundamental rights, gender equality and values, norms of human rights
11. Provision of rights to women for safe motherhood and reproductive health
12. Provision of special opportunity for women in education, health, employment social security on the basis of positive discrimination
13. Right to social security for weak, disable and helpless and single woman as well, and
14. Special provision as provided by the law for the protection, empowerment and development of socially or culturally backward women and disable citizens

Rights of Indigenous Nationalities

Nepal is a multiethnic and multilingual country. There are 125 castes of people living in the country. According to 'National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities Act, 2058 (2002 AD)', 'Indigenous Nationalities' means a tribe or community as mentioned in the schedule having its own mother tongue and traditional rites and customs, distinct cultural identity, distinct social structure and written or unwritten history. This act has listed 59 castes of people as indigenous nationalities in its schedule. It is for social, economic and cultural development and uplift various indigenous nationalities of Nepal and for their equal participation in the mainstream of national development. As they are behind in the development and human development, it has been aimed to establish access to education, communication, health and resource for them. The main issue concerned to indigenous nationalities is right to get basic education in their own mother tongue.

Rights to be acquired by the Indigenous Nationalities

1. Right to get free and compulsory basic education
2. Right to get education in child friendly environment in school
3. Right to preserve and promote their language, script and civilization
4. Right to easy access to natural resources and means of their location
5. Right to get basic education in their own mother tongue
6. Right to get special privilege for higher studies
7. Right to get special facility for housing, employment and service and facilities to be provided by the state, and
8. Right to powerful presence in the various state bodies and inclusive representation

Efforts made by the state to establish the rights of Indigenous Nationalities

1. Establishment of Indigenous Nationalities Commission
2. Provision of getting basic education in mother tongue
3. Provision of scholarship
4. Management of curriculum, text books, teaching and learning materials and teachers to provide education in mother tongue, and
5. The state has taken the principle of participation for equal access and opportunity in various state bodies.