Gender equality for development

 

Gender and development is an information of interdisciplinary the field for  analysis and applied study that implements a feminist approach to understanding and addressing the disparate impact that economic development and economic process have individuals primarily based upon their location, gender, category background, and alternative socio-political identities. A strictly economic approach to development views a country's development in quantitative terms like job creation, inflation management, and high employment – all of that aim to boost the ‘economic wellbeing’ of a rustic and therefore the subsequent quality of life for its individuals. In terms of economic development, quality of life is outlined as access to necessary rights and resources together with however not restricted to quality education, medical facilities, reasonable housing, clean environments, and low rates. Gender and development considers some of those same factors; but, gender and development emphasizes hard work towards understanding however varied these troubles are within the entangled context of culture, government, and economic process. Accounting for this want, gender and development implements ethnographical analysis, an analysis that studies a particular culture or cluster of individuals by physically immersing the research worker into the setting and daily routine of these being studied, so as to comprehensively perceive however development policy and practices have an effect on the standard of living of targeted teams or areas.

Development is a process in which no one is discriminated against as rich, poor, janajati, dalit, women, and men. In fact, the main purpose of development is to increase human happiness and peace for which equality is indispensable.

Since human beings refer to both men and women, equality includes gender equality. Without gender equality, there is nothing but strife, hatred, jealousy and unrest in any household and no nation can move forward on the path of development. However, in many countries of the world today, gender equality has not been achieved in many countries as it has not been understood and put into practice.

In fact, gender equality is about recognizing the potential of both men and women to be given ample opportunity for its development, to enjoy equal rights and duties, and to be involved in the development process. According to the concept of gender equality, there should be full participation of both men and women in the development campaign because both are two wheels of the chariot of development, two sides of the same coin. If the condition of one of them falls behind, it will affect the life of the other party as well.

The fact that gender equality is essential for family well-being and prosperity has led various organizations in different nations to adopt different strategies and actions since their inception. Although women in developed countries have benefited from this, the notion of equality among women in developing and least developed countries has not clearly developed.

Although the legal system of these countries promotes gender equality, in practice, women continue to be victims of oppression. Although gender inequality has been reduced since the establishment of multi-party democracy in Nepal, only a few upper-class women have benefited. Most Nepali women still suffer from hunger, disease, grief, and exploitation. Even today, there is a lot of discrimination between Nepali women and men. Therefore, men have 89 percent access to most jobs while women have only 11 percent.

At present, about 94 percent of households are owned by men and only 6 percent by women. The participation of men in politics is 90 to 95 percent and that of women is 5 to 10 percent. Similarly, women's participation in policy-making and sensitive areas is low.

In the last few decades, various discussions have been held in Nepal in the name of development. However, no matter how much development is discussed here, the participation of women in rural development is still not taken seriously. No matter how many committees or sub-committees are formed to increase the leadership of women in rural development, they are not encouraged. Therefore, the participation of women in these committees and sub-committees is very low.

Due to superstition, it is said that women should not be involved in public development in some places, especially in rural areas. Most women believe in luck and karma. They admit that they have been deceived by fate. Most rural women are accustomed to agriculture. However, there is no equality between men and women in this field. On the one hand, most of the agricultural implements are not women-friendly and on the other hand, the value of women's labor is much less than that of men. As a result, wage-earning women are still exploited and victimized.

After the Jana Andolan of 2006-07, it was decided that 33 percent of women should participate at the center and 40 percent at the local level. But looking at the situation of all political parties, women's participation is still insufficient. Even at the local level, their participation is low.

There is also inequality between men and women who want to go for foreign employment. For example, many Nepali women who have gone to the Gulf countries as domestic workers have been stranded for several years. Based on the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Labor, women were banned from going abroad from April 2018. That is why they have not been able to go abroad and return. It is important for the current government to address such inequalities as soon as possible.

Gender equality is a complex thing. It is also difficult to measure and evaluate. In fact, boys and girls with full gender equality have the same opportunity to go to school, both use the same teaching methods and curriculum, and receive academic orientation and counseling without discrimination.

This notion of gender equality also refers to the educational outcomes of boys and girls, their time spent in school, learning achievement, academic qualifications and equal opportunities in employment, and equal pay for both men and women with equal qualifications and experience.

Indicators designed to achieve current educational outcomes and learning achievement have only partially assessed gender equality. Hence the need for qualitative indicators. Looking at the conceptual aspect of gender balance, there is a need for a clear definition of legal equality, equality of opportunity, and equality of political and economic influence. In the least developed country like Nepal, it is necessary to increase women's participation to accelerate development, for which gender equality is indispensable.

Women entrepreneurship can also play an important role in gender equality. Therefore, it has been mentioned in the budget of 075-76 that appropriate programs will be implemented to develop women's labor, skills, and leadership skills. Apart from this, in order to create employment and self-employment opportunities by developing the skills of women, the Presidential Women's Enterprise Development Program will be refined and continued.

Emphasis will be placed on backward rural women targeted entrepreneurship, capacity building for technology, management, and market expansion to promote small, home-based, small and medium enterprises and to produce goods tailored to local demand based on local resources, tools, and skills. The present government has to be determined to put these words into practice.