Let down

One of the surprises that the ongoing session of Parliament has thrown up is the 11th Amendment to the Civil Code Bill which has just been railroaded through Parliament. The Bill which also legalizes abortion under certain circumstances, has been a let down for daughters as it does not give them right to parental property on par with sons. Not surprisingly the CPN-UML, the main opposition party, boycotted the House during passage of the Bill. Although the Bill is an improvement on the existing law, it fails to go far enough. The law as it exists makes it mandatory for women to remain unmarried till the age of 35 before they become eligible to inherit parental property. The new Bill makes daughters eligible for that inheritance right away, just like their brothers. But when they get married, which a vast majority of them will surely do, they have to dutifully return whatever they inherited. The Bill is only a nod in the direction of daughters’ property rights.

Before this controversial piece of legislation goes all the way to the Palace and becomes a fait accompli, there are three points that should be borne in mind, points that the debate around this whole issue does not seem to have adequately addressed. The first of these is that the property issue has serious implications for socio-economic development. Accumulated wisdom in the social sciences is veering around to the view that social change will pick up only when women become full partners in the process. As long as men remain more equal than the opposite sex, society will stay lopsided as far as forward movement is concerned. The only way to ensure greater equality is to work towards greater equality in access to economic resources. Society has to find a way of doing this. The second point to be borne in mind is that no system that has been worked out so far to tackle the issue of inheritance rights is without problems. The new Bill has been brought in precisely because the existing arrangements were felt to be inadequate. But the idea of going all the way and giving daughters an equal share of parental property was also felt to be problematic. Daughters would end up inheriting property from parents as well as spouses once they get married. And the prospect of marrying into money would skewer the marriage market as well. The will system, which is widely practised in western countries and which has been advocated by some of our top leaders, is also not without problems, especially relating to documentation. These problems would be worse in a still illiterate society such as ours.

Given this difficult choice and since it is women who are the most directly affected, it is they themselves who should have the major say. And that is the third point. When deciding matters that have a direct bearing on women, the opinion of women should be the decisive factor. The pros and cons of the property rights issue will always remain. Yet when a decision has to be made it is the women folk who should be able to tilt the balance. Men need not arrogate to themselves the right to decide the issue for the so called weaker sex. It is this consideration that has not been given adequate weight in the debate that accompanied the Women’s Property Rights Bill.

What ails Nepalese economy ?

By Sushil R Mathema

The performance of Nepalese economy in recent years has been of robust nature, given the indicative figures of macroeconomic parameters. The country has certainly shown positive direction based on its achievement of growth and containment of inflation. The figures of FY 2000/01 has shown that the economy successfully maintained the growth of prices at 2.4 percent, while national GDP attained a glorious growth of 6.0 percent. It went on further narrowing down both trade deficit and current account deficit and subsequently earning a better position in the foreign exchange holdings of the banking system. That is the current scenario indicating stable position of the domestic economy. But can we guarantee the same for the future? Economists are much worried about the fiscal performance, which is plaguing for the last few years. Last year only, the economy suffered a budget deficit of Rs 14,945.3 million, which was higher by 37.0 percent compared to that of previous year. Fiscal governance accompanied by the shortage of revenue surplus has come up as a recurring problem.

A minuscule analysis also reveals that the external sector is the one which is at best acting as the strong backbone of the national economy. So far it has at least maintained affordable foreign exchange reserves needed for the country’s growth process. But this sector is also subject to the vulnerable performance owing to the limited diversification of exportable commodities. Readymade garments and woollen carpets, which secure almost 82 percent share in total exports, have shown shaky business as exports of these two commodities declined by 5.0 percent and 12.7 percent respectively in 2000/01. While the demand for woollen carpets declined due to economic recession in Europe and saturation factor, the breakdown in exports of readymade garments has been propagated by the slow down in US economy, and the absence of duty free and quota free export access to US market for Nepalese garments as provided to Caribbean and African countries.

Nevertheless, slackness in maintaining quality for our exportable products does stand as an intrinsic impediment factor in the promotion of exportable products. This problem has recently been observed in pashmina exports too. Although recorded an impressive figure of Rs 6.8 billion in 2000/01, Pashmina exports volume sharply nose-dived by almost 81 percent in the fourth quarter compared to that of the first quarter. Use of woollen yarn, instead of Pashmina yarn and silk by some non-genuine Pashmina exporters and, Indian exporters exporting the low quality Pashmina, with the level of made in Nepal, have exaggerated the quality problem.

World economists were gravely concerned about the performance of world economy as US economy was suffering from its stubborn low domestic demand. In an effort to boost the domestic demand, Federal Reserve went on cutting interest rates for consecutive periods finally to come at 2.5 percent on October 2, 2001 but, however, failed to achieve its objective to invigorate consumer spending and investment. This is the ninth cut made by Federal Reserve in 2001 to revoke the consumer’s confidence in business and household spending. At this very hour of unsettled juncture, the sudden attack by terrorists on the WTC and the Pentagon brought the prospect of US economy down to an unbelievable level, which impinged the adverse effect not only in world economy but also in Nepalese economy. Scholars fear that it may trigger world recession in near future!

US markets constitute more than 80 percent share of readymade garment exports from Nepal. The expected slackness in demand for this product will further deteriorate the already downtrodden export performance.

In an effort to enhance export and make it sustainable for long-term, Nepal has recently adopted the policy of diversifying its exports, both commodity-wise and country-wise, and focus was duly placed on expanding its exports to India. The result is encouraging as the country is able to export about ten major manufacturing commodities to India among which vegetable ghee, pashmina, toothpaste, copper-wire rod and some others played a decisive role in narrowing down the trade deficit with India. India has, however, chosen retaliation policy to the spirit of 1996 Nepal-India trade policy. I has shown concern over the export growth of some of the commodities indicating it as export surge to India and, therefore, applied non-tariff barriers to a greater extent in the past and recently gone too far to apply provisional anti-dumping duty on zinc oxide and acrylic yarn. In this difficult situation, the Nepalese economy is bound to suffer as it requires gestation period to identify new products and new export destinations for diversifying its exports to other countries.

Although Nepal has been voted as second best tourist destination, the country has been suffering from a continued slackness in tourist arrivals owing to various causes including those of political instability, Maoist insurgency and Royal carnage. On top of this, the tragic event of September 11 is a further set back to this sector as 10 percent of total tourists are Americans. The flow of which will be disturbed as an aftermath effect. The rumour that almost 50 percent of hotel reservations has already been cancelled, suffices the above statement. Another blow, that ailing Nepalese economy is facing after the tragic incident of WTC and Pentagon, is that its currency has been continuously depreciated on account of the weakening of Indian currency with the green back dollar. During the period between September 1 and 24, 2001, Nepalese currency has depreciated vis-a-vis US dollar by 1.59 percent, and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) had to sell the amount worth of 4 crore 90 lakh US dollars to intervene in the forex market to save from further weakening of Nepalese rupee against the US dollar. While the depreciation of the Nepalese rupee has an adverse impact on import prices, foreign debt payments and thereby on overall foreign exchange reserves, if such interventions are to occur frequently, the country may suffer from scarcity of foreign exchange in near future. It is, therefore, high time to think about promulgating the ideas and strategies to save the nation from depleting of foreign exchange reserves in due course of time. The level of current reserves position is quite comfortable and is sufficient to cater the merchandise imports of 8.5 months, which is quite high than ideal need.

A move towards launching some pilot projects to strengthen the external sector is the necessity of the present context. An ad hoc policy has to be introduced to bring in additional strategies for reviving the export sector of both merchandise and services including tourism sector. That is we need to examine the possibility of finding alternate markets for diverting our exports from the US to other European, Southeast Asian and Gulf countries. Moreover, focus should be placed upon to design the programmes for invigorating the trade based on SAARC countries market especially India. A shift in tourism policy is to be accorded so that tourism policy should be diverted in catering domestic tourism apart from regional tourism inclusive mainly of India and China.

And for maintaining the comfortable foreign exchange reserves, reviews could be done on the exclusion of the items enlisted under the provision of import of commodities from India under the facility of payment of convertible currency. Besides, efforts should be made to import as much raw materials from India as possible so that the current level of surmounting Indian currency reserves can be best utilized. A bird’s eye view on the position of Indian currency reserves with the Nepalese banking system shows that it has almost doubled from IC 924.64 crores as of third week of September 2000 to IC 1348.99 crores in the same period of 2001. The US dollar reserves has, however, declined by 5.0 percent to US dollar 104.25 crores during the same period. By and large, it is therefore suggested that, on the wake of possibility of world recession, Nepal’s trade policy should be directed towards regional market rather than third world countries. Moreover, Nepal will definitely benefit if it can develop some mechanism and make India to come to a understanding on trade to cater one billion population market.

(The author is director of  NRB’s Research Department)

Was it sibling rivalry ?

By Vidwata Bahety

It used to be a tough time for Mom, every Dashain when she had to take two chattering little girls shopping for new dresses. Not that the little girls were very fussy about choosing the clothes. But between the two, the younger one always wanted the same dress that the elder one would pick!

Whatever she had was always better. Whatever she did was always smarter. She was almost a model of perfection to a wide-eyed little sister.

As a kid, I was always at awe at every little thing that she did. I adored all the beautiful pictures she drew. I remember the way I used to painstakingly copy her handwriting. Well, I wanted to look the way she looked, I wanted to talk the way she talked and I just wanted to be more her than being me! Alas, we were strikingly different. She was calm and composed one, who would indulge in intellectual activities like painting and writing poems. And I was a ruffian who would go out stealing guavas in neighbours’ gardens and messing up things.

She was well organised. She used to keep everything in order. I troubled her whenever I went on hunting for every piece of the jigsaw that made my school uniform. She got an "A" in every subject. And I was the one who never did homework in time! I always felt being on top of the world whenever I defeated her while racing across the big lawn at our house. She, however, would never complain that I always cheated her!

As little girls of almost the same age, there were myriads of quarrels time and again to give Mom a terrible headache. Being the younger one, I was Mom’s pet and so naturally the spoilt one. I was so naughty that I would covet all her precious possessions. And Mom would indefinitely preach her (the elder one of course) to give me what I asked for -"She is your little sister, dear. You are the elder one you should be more caring". Weekends used to be festivals. Mom would take us to ice cream parlours. I was a pig of a girl who would gobble the ice cream in no time it was served, while she like an elegant lady would take her sweet time to savour the dainties. And you can imagine me eying on her remaining scoop of ice cream. Pleasantly she would always give me a big share at the end.

In spite of the unending squabbles, we made a lovely two some. I would wait eagerly for her to return from school. We actually went to different schools and no prizes for guessing that her school and teachers always impressed me. Telling each other what happened in school over the dinner always was so much fun.

With time things do change. I wonder when was it that I had stopped copying her.

Suddenly this brat also began to grow up as herself. Other than having shot up far too many inches above her shoulders, I began doing things my way. And modestly speaking I did them pretty well too. I started to become a person in my own respect. Yes, I still look up to her and all that’s different is that she is now proud of my achievements.

Whenever people see us together they can’t help envying the closeness we share. In fact she isn’t just a sister but a sister and a best friend rolled in one. Now, as Dashain approaches she’s begun teasing me if we should go shopping together with Mom!

"Sibling Rivalry, wasn’t it?" she says as she gives me a quick peck on my cheek. I hug her tight and quip: " It’s sibling love, alright!"

Of gender inequality and emancipation

By Asif Anwar Alig

The cases of gender inequality and low sex ratio always haunt the patriarchal societies. India has lower sex ratio than many African countries. Considering women as second class citizens and compelling them to survive under a form of gender apartheid are the usual phenomenon. Women are dehumanized at every step of their lives, either in their homes or outside. They lag behind in all quantifiable areas of development which cannot be measured. Further more, they suffer discrimination and violence. Studies reveal that one woman is molested every 26 minutes and raped every 34 minutes in India. Every day, almost 288 Indian women die of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Some 37 to 38 million women, who might otherwise be alive today, have died of negligence and maltreatment.

This anti-female bias prevailing in our society is the result of cheapest scanning techniques. Ninety percent of the female foetus are terminated annually in India. Estimates show that about five million female feticide operations are conducted in India every year. Declination in female sex ratio is alarming. This has declined from 970 per 1,000 in 1991 to 927 per 1,000 in 2001.

Sex determination tests and illegal abortions are the factors. Punjab, Harayana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Delhi have been witness to high decline in the number of females. According to recent census reports, Harayana has the lowest sex ratio, which stands at 875 females per 1,000 males. Bihar shows even graver situation.

These worrying problems prevail not only in India but also in the whole of the South Asia region, where the ratio of women to men is very low compared to the rest of the world that stands at 106 females to 100 males. This indicates that thousands of female were either never born or died of chronic malnutrition because of lack of medical attention.

Dowry system is the main culprit. A study conducted by Foundation for Research in Community Health (FRCH), Mumbai shows that most women visiting for sex determination tests had or have two or three daughters. They do not need any more girl child. But a male child comes an asset and highly profitable for the future. This tends women to undergo repeated pregnancies and sex selective abortions. The socio-religious system that offers superior status to the male child contributes to social evils. Women are given due respect only if they give birth to a boy.

On an average, the police register nearly 5,000 cases of dowry death and 3,000 cases of dowry harassment annually. The number of cases of bigamy and divorce by mutual consent are growing day by day. Over five hundred thousand cases of deserted cases are still in pending in various courts of India. Annually at least 12,000 cases of rape, 13,000 cases of kidnapping, 26,000 cases of molestation and eve teasing and 11,000 cases of sexual harassment are registered to police which represent only 10-25 percent of the crimes actually perpetrated on women in India.

Illiteracy is the greatest scourge tarnishing humanity at all levels. The guardians of our society consider educating a girl child is waste of money as she is bound to marry and leave her parental home one day or the other to live with her husband’s family.

Even though more than sixty percent children are enrolled in primary schools every year, only sixteen percent of the girls continue to attend classes after 5 years. Girls encounter resistance from within their family to pursue education. The naive assumption that educated woman might pose a threat to her husband and upset the family status quo is one of the setbacks of grassroots development. It is pathetic that even after 54 years of independence, female literacy in India is merely 35 percent, well below the 63.9 percent for men. With minimal education and lower political vision, their involvement in electoral politics differs sharply from the nationalist movement and the immediate aftermath of independence when they played active and purposeful role in bringing India’s dream come true to the present perspective. Women and children represent 67.7 percent of the country’s total population. Almost all political parties woo them for fulfilling their vested interests. But an interesting dimension is that, though women electorate consists of 50 percent or more, they do not automatically support woman candidates. The reason is that political parties hardly field women candidates who have independent work and achievement to their credit. Women candidates in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections held only 49 out of 545 parliamentary seats. In the year 1996, only one out of 25 judges in the Supreme Court was woman; and 3 percent of the total number of high court judges were women. Total number of women Chartered Accountants in the country stands at 5.8 percent only. In the year 1995, total percentage of registered women medical practitioners stood at 20.8 percent only.

Gender based quote has never brought fruitful results. Instead, it has developed a ghetto mentality in our society. In spite of the reservation policies of successive governments, for a decade, there are states like Karnataka which had only one MP in the 12th Lok Sabha. Kerala with its highest female literacy rate and unfavourable sex ratio had only one woman MP in the 12th Lok Sabha.

Empowerment of women on the basis of quote can be possible only when the democratic process is genuinely democratic. And when every individual is given access to education and an assurance of justice. In the present perspective demand of reservation for due representation of women in parliament and state legislators seem more like a hunt for the post rather than empowerment. Most women politicians in India have inherited political offices in absence of a comparable male figure. With some notable exceptions like Ms Mamta Banerjee, most of them hail from privileged background and enjoy power by virtue of birth or marriage.

In Indian societies, a man generally is not required to participate in domestic jobs. If seen sharing them, he would be ridiculed for his ‘women like behaviour’. Governments cannot be blamed for such mindsets. Thinkers, writers and voluntary organisations will have to come forward to eliminate these nonsense traditions that result in suffering of the women themselves. Even the religious organisations cannot escape their responsibilities. They too have to come across and convince people by their sermons.

Women’s empowerment can be considered ‘complete’ only when they no longer require any reservation, rather they prove mettle in all spheres of life. It is a happy sign that lots of young women have started expressing that they would prefer to come up in life on the basis of merit rather through reservations.