Abuse In Workplace
WOMEN constitute half of the total population
of the country. Women’s share in national economy is equally important. However,
majority of women in Nepal are exploited and discriminated. This is against the existing
legal provisions. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal and other laws have guaranteed
equal rights to all citizens irrespective of their caste, colour and sex. Nepal has also
ratified several international instruments concerning human rights including United
Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. These
are clear commitments of the government to protect human rights of all people and
eliminate all forms of discrimination. However, some practices of discriminations still
exist in our society in different forms. Women are victims of such discriminations. Women
in Nepal, so far, are not entitled to have equal rights in the share of parental property.
This is one of the major discriminations against women and violation of human rights.
Women are exploited in different sectors. Recently a two-day workshop was organized in
Kathmandu on "Action against Sexual Harassment at the Workplace in Nepal". In
the workshop organized by International Labour Organisation, the participants raised
issues related to different forms of harassments in the workplace. Women are the ones who
are exploited and harassed more in the workplace. One of the major workplace harassments
is the sexual harassment against women. A survey report conducted on the sexual harassment
against women, which was presented in the workshop, clearly indicated that women are
exploited and sexually harassed in the workplace. If it is at all true, this is a serious
matter, which must be dealt with very seriously. Women have equally contributed to the
nation and national economy. Their rights and interest, thus, must be protected and any
form of exploitation and discrimination against women need to be eliminated. Unless women
are protected against exploitation and discrimination and brought into the mainstream of
national development, the nation cannot progress in a sustainable way. The government has
expressed its commitment to eliminate all forms of discriminations against women and
empower them. In order to ensure equal rights of women in parental property, a Bill has
already been drafted and registered in the parliament. This Bill is expected to get
parliamentary approval in the current 20th session of the parliament. Similarly, the
government has vowed to eliminate discrimination and exploitation against women including
sexual harassment at the workplace. Now things are moving towards the right direction for
women’s rights and development, which need to be further consolidated.
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