National 2 (Spotlight Weekly)

Vulnerable Victims

Women are yet to play a major role in peace initiatives

By A CORRESSPONDENT

Sumitra Sigdel, 24, widow of a police sub-inspector, does not know how would spend the rest of her life. Sigdel, whose husband was killed a few months ago in a landmine planted by the Maoists, is just one of hundreds of women who have been facing such tragedy.

Professional women, too, have been suffering from the ongoing conflict. Many professional women who have been working in the rural areas through non-governmental organizations have abandoned their programs and projects. As the conflict zone continues to spread, the work area of professional women is shrinking.

Widow of a police officer : Caught in conflict

A group of professional women joined hands in a program to share experiences on how the conflict has been affecting their work and what role they need to play in peace initiatives and conflict mitigation and management.

Many prominent Nepalese professional women took part in a panel discussion titled "Women's Leadership for Peace", organized by CEDPA with support from the United Nations Population Fund. From politicians to social workers, professional women hold the view that their participation is essential to the success of any peace initiative.

The forum, chaired by Bill Musoke, country representative of UNFPA/Nepal, also heard the difficulties and challenges in launching programs directed towards conflict-affected regions. "We can play a very important role to bring hostile parties in the conflict to the peace process," said Sahana Pradhan, former minister and senior leader of the CPN-UML.

Inaugurated by Dr. Arju Deuba Rana, the forum also highlighted growing violence against women in conflict-prone areas. "We have to show courage to visit the conflict-prone areas and respond to the difficulties faced by rural women," said Bandana Rana, president of Sancharika Samuha.

From health to teaching and from income generation to legal advice, women have been fulfilling different roles in various parts of the country. With the upsurge of the Maoist violence, many professional women are no longer in a position to continue their work. "As a professional lawyer, I have encountered many difficulties working in conflict-prone areas. Because of violence, many women lawyers in the rural areas are lying idle," said advocate Sapana Malla Pradhan, who also heads the Women Legal Forum.

Police and health professionals have their own problems. Amid the upsurge of Maoist violence, many women health workers and police officers have had to bear additional duties. "Our women health workers are trapped in a very difficult scenario. They have to work in conflict situations protecting themselves from both parties," said Dr. Chhatra Amatya, director, management division, Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health.

Other professionals, too, want a dominant role for women in peace initiative. "As professional women, we can play very a constructive and active role in the area of conflict management and peace initiative," said Bharati Silwal, assistant resident representative, gender, United Nations Development Program.

Conflict management is a very complicated issue that covers a large area. "We have invited women from media, politics, government, civil service, health, development, arts, women's rights, law, human rights, security and youth," said Deepak Bajracharya, acting director, CEDPA/Nepal. "We will encourage women leadership in any peace effort," said Peggy Curlin, president of CEDPA.

Moderated by Patricia Mahoney, political and economic officer of the US Embassy, the panelists in the half-day program shared their experiences and difficulties in the area of conflict. Women participants also urged decision makers to include them in any future peacemaking efforts.

"The discussion and opinions of the panelists have helped to identify major obstacles, constraints and opportunities available to the women in the area of conflict management," said Musoke, delivering concluding remarks.