The gender inclusion in local Government of Nepal: Knowledge and practices
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Authors
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Publisher
Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Population Studies
Abstract
Gender inclusion refers to the equal distribution of all power and services,
opportunities, resources, establishments of rights and dignity to the male and
female.The study based on the local level government with prospective of gender
inclusion. The specific objectives of this study are to find out knowledge and practices
of gender inclusiveness in local governments among the elected local body and to
identify level of participation of female elected representatives in decision-making
process.
This study is based on cross-sectional research design and both primary source of data
and secondary data were used. The study selected 358 local levels elected
representatives as respondents. All the ward chairs and ward members were interview
in the selected mulcipilities and Rural muncipitities of Lalitpur and jhapa districs. The
field work was conducted in between 2075-10-5 (B.S.) to 2076-8-14 (B.S.). This data
entered into SPSS database and results were obtained by frequency distributions,
cross tabulations, male female proportion and Chi-Squire test.
In this study, Knowladgeon gender inclusive was found to be universal to
repondents. Mass Media was major sources of information. Gender equality and
equal participation were understood as the equal participation of males and females in
all local development. Majority of the respondent (95 %) reported that they had the
knowledge about the meeting in which gender issue has been discussed.
Almost all respondent reported that they participated in the meeting at the day time. In
the meeting, the gender related issues were discussed.In addition, different areas of
allocation of budget were discussed in the meeting ; women empowerment to income
generation, reducing women's workload. In both study districts, majority (> 70 %)
faced problems in demanding the budget in which the palika has not allocated the
budget. Majority of respondents reported that they have formulated the policy and
planning related to women empowerment, leadership plans, gender awareness and
combating violence and cyber- crime, after being elected for local government. More
than 87 percent male and female respondents reported that they have allocated budget
on women's related area such as capacity building, programs targeted for women’s
benefit, employment and income generation decreasing women’s work load and
improving the quality work.
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In terms of level of participation in decision making process, more than 80 percent
respondent reported that they have formulated the planning related to women
empowerment after being elected for local government. In total, the plan formulation
and budgeting has been focused in the skill development plans, income generation
plan, empowerment and leadership plans, gender awareness on violence and cyber-
crime. Jhapa district was more than double in percent for the formulation of skill
development plans than Lalitpur district.
In both districts, 68.6 percent, 8.5 percent and 22.9 percent respondents reported that
they allocated gender friendly budget in different sectors which are Rs. 1-5 lakhs, 610
lakhs and 10-15 lakhs for capacity development of women sectors respectively.
Majority of the respondents reported that they have allocated Rs.1-5 lakhs budget for
women development sectors mostly capacity building of woman and followed by 1015
lakhs budget
allocated
for
women
development
sectors.
The study colcludes that women representation in local level is critically refers the
declaration of constulation of Nepal in 2015. They shares more than 40 percent of the
total local elected persons. But this numerical crtical mass has yet to translate in to
understanding the gender inclusion in local government. The levels of understanding
in gender inclusion, gender equalitys empowernment is still not adequate. The level
of their real participation in decision making process in allocation of budgetincluding
other activities that effect their life in still low but it is increasing due to their critical
mass prosonal in the local government of Nepal.
The real gender inclusion in local levels is possible, as policy advisers and
policymakers transcend the artificial dichotomy between resources and services. Preconception
based on gender and caste/ethnicity/ religious belief, women and those
from marginalized and underprivileged groups to be generally incapable of decisionmaking
sectors
in
local
level development has to be avoided. The participants (men
and women) were found to have low level of understanding on the gender inclusion
concept and its operationalized definition. Among those who have some
understanding of gender inclusion in local government, they need more awareness
and skill development training about those issues of women's development in local
level. They are still unable to decide on budget allocation of the local level and
gender development sites because of their lack of knowledge.