Rights sought for women as workers

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 23:Women lawmakers today pledged to pressure for the enactment of additional laws and effective implementation of the existing ones to establish the rights of the female work force.

The lawmakers also demanded the March 8 be declared holiday also for women labourers working in factories and in the agriculture sector. So far, only the women employees from government offices and public enterprises are entitled to a day off on the Women’s Day.

They shared a forum at a programme organised by Nepal Trade Union Federation-GEFONT and International Labour Organisation (ILO) here today. The programme was a part of the Nepal-ILO/Japan Asian Regional Project for the expansion of employment opportunities for women.

Earlier, Ms Sadhana Adhikari, wife of late Manmohan Adhikari, launched books and cassette depicting Nepalese women’s legal and social position.

MP Bidhya Devi Bhandari said political leaders and parties had failed to create an atmosphere in which women could boost freedom and equality. She pointed out the need for all women MPs to fight for the rights of women workers from their respective places and expressed hope that all women workers would be granted leave on the March 8th.

Sabitri Bogati, MP from Nepali Congress, said that they had not been able to implement those laws formulated for the welfare of women.

GEFONT president Mukunda Neupane said that there was rampant exploitation of women and the female populace had been exposed to inequality in the feudalistic society.

Leyla Tegmo-Reddy, senior ILO advisor said that the Project aimed at socially and economically empowering women through the promotion of rural finance institutions and awareness raising training programmes.

From the chair, Bina Shrestha, GEFONT women department chief said that women MPs could play important role to ensure the rights of women workers.

Some citizens more equal than others!

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Butwal, July 23:Fundamental rights have been provisioned by the Constitution, but most people have not been able to enjoy them as most of them live in inaccessible and rural areas. Those few who have been fortunate have been vocal about rights rather than taking up the responsibilities imposed by citizenship.

Participants of a seminar were in agreement why the burden of citizenship and its benefits needed to be shared by people of all walks of life. The seminar was organised by Nepal Foundation for Advanced Studies in cooperation with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung of Germany in this mid-western Tarai town and the participants discussed enthusiastically the issue of civic education.

Babu Ram Sharma, a local campus teacher commented, "Individuals have the rights, but cannot enjoy them because of practical difficulties."

He also suggested foreign policy, patriotism and nationhood to be included in civic education as sensitivity in these subjects "appears to be eroding."

Agreed a political worker, Bhim Prasad Uprety, a municipality ward member, "Grave issues such as encroachment of the border and cases where norms are violated by a neighbour while carrying out construction works are currently due to this," he said.

Kamal Gautam, a trade unionist was of the view that our society was putting principles on one side, while practice on the other. "Only when practice follows principles can wrongs be righted." He suggested that the book also include an authentic map of Nepal so that students know the country’s borders.

The chief guest at the function, Butwal Appellate Court Justice, Kalyan Prasad Shrestha, went on to list the anomalies occurring in the country at the end of the programme, "Citizenship is there but no civic sense. Teachers are there but no education, police is there but no security, courts but no justice, politics but no leaders."

Earlier, Surya Lal Pradhan, a local elderly had concluded, "Our country is suffering from the exploitation of communists and capitalists. As long as this era of exploitation exists, no government claim to draw its legitimacy from the people. This is why none of our aspirations appear to be fulfilled."

Radheshyam Rajbhandari a social worker on children’s issues said that civic education begins at home and is something we indulge in everyday.

Rajbhandari was of the view that the aware are the ones who are Abusing Their rights. "We were kicked out of houses of aware people when we went to survey child domestic helps. It is these people that need civic education. Even teachers need this sort of education as they have been punishing children in inhuman ways for minor offences like incomplete homework."

Ganesh Man Sainju, a social worker said that low caste people are deprived from public services like water taps in villages. "This needs to end," he said.

Welcoming the participants in the beginning of the programme NEFAS Executive Director Ananda Shrestha had asked for comments from the floor to enrich the book on the subject being developed for higher secondary students. Shiva Raj Dahal, also of NEFAS, gave the vote of thanks.

The presentations were made by Prof. Gunanidhi Sharma and Prof. Ram Kumar Dahal on different aspects of civic education, before leaving the floor open for the Butwal participants to comment even while the conditions were hot and humid in the seminar room. The seminar was the last in a series held to collect feedback from differnt parts of the Kingdom to be included in the final publication.

Courtesy call

Kathmandu, July 23 (RSS):Minister of State of Health of Bangladesh Dr M. Amanullah paid a courtesy call on Health Minister Dr Ram Baran Yadav at the latter’s office today.

On the occasion, matters relating to health problems facing the two countries and Nepali students studying in Bangladesh were discussed.

Bangladeshi Ambassador Cyril Sikdar was also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, visiting Bangladeshi Minister of State for Health Dr. M. Amanullah has pointed out the need for SAARC countries to exchange training and experts in order to upgrade the health situation in the region.

Speaking at a press conference organised here today, Dr. Amanullah said countries in the SAARC region who have expertise in health services should extend such services to other countries also.

He also pointed out the need for the SAARC countries to run collective health development programmes.

Replying a query, Dr Amanullah said the abundant potentials of water resources of Nepal can be used to supply electricity to Bangladesh while gas could be imported from Bangladesh to Nepal.

On the occasion Dr. Amanullah said that the number of scholarship being provided to Nepalese students in Bangladesh would be increased.

Dr. Amanullah is currently in the capital in course of taking part in the conference of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Cardiological Society.

Bangladeshi Ambassador Cyril Sikdar pointed out the need to enhance trade and investment between the two countries.

NSP meet

Kathmandu, July 23 (RSS):A meeting of the national working committee of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party presided over by party president Gajendra Narayan Singh at the central party office here today held extensive discussions on the suggestions to be provided to the Prime Minister in the context of his forthcoming visit to India.

The meeting took decision to conduct a five-day national level training camp for the party cadres at Rajbiraj of Saptari district from September 18 to 22, 2000.