Participation of women employee in civil service: (A study of Ilam Municipality, Ilam, Nepal)

Abstract

Women cover more than half of the total population and half of the labor force in Nepal. Women’s participation is indispensable for the social and economic development of the country however represents only 13.83 percent (Personal Information System, 2075) positions in the civil service of Nepal. Due to patriarchy, women were treated as objects and properties in the past. In Nepal, being itself a least developed and emerging democratic society the situation of women was not indifferent from others. This paper analyses women's representation in civil service in Nepal also with the various barriers for their entry in civil service. The under-representation and exclusion was one of the major agenda of armed conflict in the country. After signing Master Peace Accord insurgent groups agreed to ensure 33percent stake of women in every segment of state structure. Thereafter the second amendment of civil service act incorporated the provision of 33percent reservation seats to women. And it is the first decade of experience we practice reservation; we are still far behind to secure 33percent representation of women in civil service. And most of the women are at the mid and lower level of the service and only few at the top positions. The reason behind this underrepresentation is not only the formal sector also the informal socio-cultural setups. Therefore, it is argued that motivation, reservation policy, personal, societal and organizational barriers are responsible for participation of women in civil service of Nepal. This study examines what are the various barriers for women to participate Nepalese civil service. The study aims to answer the major research question by retaining the major qualitative data. The study questions are what are the barriers for women to enter the civil service and compete for promotion in their service of Nepal? What are the policies of the government pertaining to women participation in the civil service? How does culture shape the Nepalese society’s perception toward women? What are the roles or status of women employee in the study area? During the study, 46 respondents were chosen randomly from different offices of Ilam Municipality to fill up the questionnaire. Interview was taken to collect the information from some of the respondents who can't fill the questionnaire themselves. Based on the empirical evidences, the findings of the study showed that due to socio-cultural barriers women are deprived of equal opportunity to be exposed, patriarchal culture, gender role, social norms and traditions are found that are hindering women to enter the civil service. The dual responsibility of working women decreases interest for further competition which effect on further women empowerment. Women are directly or indirectly dominated in the administration till the date. They do not accept women as a leader they prefer male leader. Whereas society has divided the women’s role in taking take of the family and children’s sphere. They do not trust on women officer and their work. As a result, in spite of capable women less qualified male employees are upgraded. This study also analyses the motivational factor that encourage or discourage a women to enter a civil service. This paper helps to insight the present status of women civil servants in Ilam Municipality, major barriers for women to enter civil service. The findings of this paper can be generalized to all women employees of civil service of our country.