National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

Progress Through Empowerment

Nepal Human Development Report 2004 calls for radical social and political transformation to ensure the country's prosperous future

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

As Nepal finds itself at a crucial crossroads, the people appear disillusioned and unable to choose the right course. In what can help them make the right choice, the Nepal HDR 2004 prepared by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) calls for radical social and political transformation through 'empowerment' of people to ensure the stable and prosperous future of the country.

Regional disparities, gender imbalance and lack of social inclusion are three vital barriers to sound development and poverty reduction in the country, the report signals. "The report calls for dramatic reforms at difficult times. It stresses that the people belonging to the most vulnerable sections of society must be included as partners for development for the country to succeed," said Matthew Kahane, resident coordinator of UNDP, Nepal.

The report also attempts to address the issue of conflict by calling for fair representation of all backward sections like women, indigenous people, Dalits in all sectors. And it underscores the need to adopt the right-based (instead of traditional welfare) approach in promoting social inclusion.

For the first time, the report calls for massive 'empowerment' of communities. It has also developed a separate Human Empowerment Index (HEI) to calculate the situation of Nepalese people and make the critical assessment of barriers (to development).

"Since the conventional policies have failed to reduce poverty, we have shifted our attention this time towards the need to empower so that people can themselves make individual or collective choices for their benefit," said Sirram Raj Pande, assistant resident representative of the UNDP/Nepal and lead author of the report.

A significant aspect of the report is that it was prepared as well as owned by the national team comprising of senior government officials. In fact, Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, a member of National Planning Commission (NPC), is the principal advisor of the team that prepared this report.

In its efforts to clarify the situation of empowerment in the country, the report has developed a composite HEI by bringing together the available social, economic and political indicators into a composite index of empowerment. The HEI value for Nepal is estimated at 0.463, indicating a low level of empowerment; this is fairly close to that of Human Development Index (HDI) value of 0.471.

When divided into three parameters, the overall HEI fluctuates - the economic empowerment stands at 0.337; the social empowerment stands at 0.406; and the political empowerment stands at 0.646. "The low level of economic empowerment reflects the low level of income, limited access to productive assets and lack of gainful employment opportunities.

"Strengthening multiparty democratic system, reforms and democratization of the state institutions, democratization of political institutions, devolution, and elimination of exclusionary policies and practices at all levels of governance will be critical precondition for empowering people at large," said Dr. Khatiwada.

Pande believes that the policies of the country are yet to be pro-poor and pro-disadvantaged. "The report proposes nine-point reform agenda for dynamic development," he said. The nine -points include deepening democracy; removing discriminatory laws and practices; making macro-policy reforms pro-poor; transforming agriculture; expanding equitable education and health facilities; building infrastructure; creating employment opportunities; empowering the disadvantaged and marginalized groups; and investing in the organizational capacity of the poor.

Experts agree that the current pace of reforms is not adequately fast-paced and that disparities continue to widen. For instance, the urban HDI for Nepal is 0.581 compared to rural HDI of 0.452 - HDI in mountain scores lowest at 0.386, followed by Terai at 0.478 and the hills at 0.512. Far and mid western regions have the lowest HDI. Same is true in case of HEI. Many believe that skewed development is also one of the causes that have fueled insurgency.

Fortunately, the government officials have started to realize the situation. "We are facing difficulties because our traditional hierarchical societal structure is gradually transforming into a modern egalitarian one. We cannot afford to remain in status quo. And we cannot roll back reforms. The only way forward is to accelerate reforms and build inclusive democracy," said Dr. Bimal Prasad Koirala, chief secretary.

Launching the Nepal HDR 2004 Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba "Though we should not delude ourselves in thinking that the current conflict is only between the 'haves' and 'have nots' and that it does not have any overtone of a political power grab/attempt, we must all admit the gap between the 'haves' and 'have nots' is most fertile ground for sustaining this conflict as well as for breeding other conflicts. That is why the focus on the empowerment approach is so important to a broad-based and inclusive development process."

At a time when there seems to be a gradual realization on the part of the government regarding the true nature of the country's problems, one can hope for prudent policies that will shape the development agenda in the days ahead.