Nepal's Shadows

February 2006 marked the one-year anniversary of Nepal's return to monarchy. In the past year, Nepal has been immersed in escalating conflict. The political uncertainty, clashes between the Maoists and the monarchy, and the lack of normalcy have made everyday living a challenge for the people of Nepal.

Anju Chhetri is a Nepali journalist and co-founder of Asmita, a feminist magazine based in Katmandu. She combined her journalistic aspirations and quest for justice and equality for women into one career. In 2005, she was one of 1,000 women nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. She has written and published hundreds of articles and investigative reports on women, gender, politics and health issues in Asmita magazine and also in Kantipur National and Samaya weekly magazine.

Ms.Chhetri talks directly from Nepal.

"Nepal is going through the toughest time in its history. In 1996, after the Nepal Communist Party (NCP, also known as the Maoists) launched its 'People's War,' several conflicts latent in Nepali society came to the surface. Under the pretext of ending political violence and bringing peace back, the king has disrupted the parliamentary democratic system that was re-established in 1990.

"Before the king took all the state power into his hands, there was a parliamentary democratic system in Nepal. Although political parties had been corrupt, unimaginative and non-representative, they still had to listen to the voice of the people. The government and the parliament had plans and programs to incorporate people at the grassroots level in the process of governance at a very slow pace. But all such attempts have been disrupted by the king and the violent rebellion of the Maoists.

"These days, as a journalist, I feel hesitant to write about the critical issues of Nepal's women because the current political crisis is overshadowing everything. In the midst of the violence, it is very difficult for me to travel to remote parts of the country in order to gather information for reporting. Yet the situation is not as terrifying as is being depicted in the international media. I and my organization have learned to work in our own ways in these difficult situations and no one can question our commitment to the women's cause. Therefore, I'm not afraid."

Ending the monarchy is the main goal of both the parliamentary democratic parties and the Maoists."

"Today, there are three forces on our country's political stage.

"One is represented by the active monarchy, the second includes the parliamentary democratic parties, and the third force is the Maoists. For the last four years, the parliamentary democratic parties have been leading a movement to restore democracy. Most importantly, they have made a 12-point agreement with the Maoists to reach a peaceful solution to end the 'people's war.'

"Ending the monarchy is the main goal of both the parliamentary democratic parties and the Maoists. Both are attacking the monarchy from their specific positions: the parliamentary democratic parties with a peaceful political movement and the Maoists with violent actions.
"The three most urgent problems that Nepal faces today are the reinstatement of democracy, the restoration of peace, and the inclusion of minorities (women, ethnic groups and Dalits or oppressed castes) in the state mechanism.

"To find solutions to these problems, the king has to hand over all state power to political parties that represent the Nepali people, the political parties have to be more democratic, and the Maoists have to lay down their weapons.

"In the 12-point agreement between the parliamentary political parties and the Maoists, the Maoists have agreed to lay down their weapons if their demand of constituent assembly is fulfilled. At present, the main obstacle is the monarchy, which is reluctant to start any dialogue with the parties and the Maoists."

"The people are expecting the restoration of democracy as soon as possible..."

"A large section of the Nepali people support the cause presented by the political parties. However, the people on the street are confused, suspicious, anxious and disturbed by the current political situation. Because of the wrong behavior and dual character of the political forces, the people do not fully trust any of them.

"However, people are expecting the restoration of democracy as soon as possible and a peaceful solution to the Maoist problem. Many people think that the three political forces should come together and have a meaningful discussion to end the present crisis.

Various groups from civil society have been creating peace movements, and their call certainly has had an impact on the political parties and the Maoists. The political parties' movement for 'complete democracy' (democracy in which the monarchy will be ceremonial or it will be a democratic republic) has also been backed by civil society groups. Members of civil society have warned the parliamentary democratic parties that they must not make fruitless compromises with the monarchy as they have in the past.

"A number of women's groups have joined the movement for democracy and some women's groups have also formed a network to work towards the restoration of peace and rehabilitation of the women and children directly affected or displaced by the violent conflict."
"Let the readers of World Pulse magazine know more about Nepal and its people."

"Last year, the Maoists declared a one-sided cease-fire. But, led by the king himself, the government unconstitutionally did not respond to the cease-fire. As a result, the Maoists ended the cease-fire and launched a series of violent attacks once again throughout the country. Hundreds of security personnel, Maoist rebels and civilians were killed in February. Innocent women and children died without any reason.

"Such events disturb me very much. The killing of innocent people is happening due to the stubbornness, stupidity and insensitivity of the political forces.

"The people of Nepal need moral support from the international community. Let your readers know how Nepali women and children are suffering from the ongoing violent political conflict.

"At present, except for the rightist forces, all other political forces have agreed to form a new constitution through a constituent assembly. The advocates of this assembly have claimed to give proper representation to minorities, including women.

"My hope is that Nepali women, so far excluded from government and decision-making, will have an opportunity to put forth their issues and demands in a constituent assembly. Rights secured in the constitution and in laws will open new arenas to Nepali women for their empowerment and emancipation. Ultimately, there must be enormous change in socio-economic structure for women's upliftment. I know that this will be achieved in the long run. Until then, we have to continue our activities for reforms, however small."

Links

ASMITA
The Women’s Foundation of Nepal

See also

United We Blog a Nepalese blog keeping up to date with events in Nepal