Promoting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: Nepal's Commitments and Obligations

Abstract

Nepal is home to 103 ethnic groups and 17 official languages. Apparently, the relationships between these diverse groups appear stable, but grievances arising out of political marginalization, caste-based discrimination, and exclusionary state practices have maintained historical divides between communities. Occasional violent outbursts further impact inter-ethnic relationships, such as the Madhesh uprisings (2007 and 2015) and the Kapilvastu Riot (2007). Political instability, weak public security, and a history of violent conflict have heavily strained the social fabric resulted in lack of trust in civic institutions. Subsequent to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2006, the Nepali state has sought to address social tensions by ending discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, caste, culture, sexual orientation and religion through social and legal reforms. A number of legal and policy reform measures to improve inclusion have been enacted, including: The Act amending Some Nepal Acts to Maintain Gender Equality (2006); Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act (2011); and the National Action Plan on Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and1820 (2011). Similar policy-level changes on civil service hiring quotas, Dalit child scholarships, and guidelines for local bodies with spending targets for marginalized are in place. However, implementation of these policies initiatives to promote GESI has been weak, with little impact towards the intended beneficiaries.