Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) is a cornerstone of Nepal’s constitution and national policies, underscoring the country’s commitment to gender and social justice. These efforts focus on integrating marginalised groups—such as women, Dalits, indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ populations—into every aspect of development.
For Nepal’s growth to be truly sustainable, it is crucial to implement a framework that ensures equitable access, participation, and benefits for all citizens, particularly those from marginalised communities. This requires specific affirmative actions that address the unique socio-economic challenges faced by individuals, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
The root causes of marginalisation
Marginalisation in Nepal is driven by various factors, including sex, caste, religion, geography, gender identity, disability, language, digital divide, and poverty. A comprehensive analysis of these issues is essential to ensure that resources are effectively allocated and systemic barriers to inclusion are removed. Without such an analysis, inclusion efforts may inadvertently benefit more privileged groups, creating an illusion of inclusivity instead of achieving true equity.
Accurate identification of the multiple layers of marginalisation is necessary for designing effective and justifiable affirmative actions. These measures should guarantee equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and decision-making, irrespective of an individual’s gender, caste, ethnicity, disability, language, religion, or socio-economic status.
For instance, a poor, illiterate Dalit woman with a disability from a remote region faces far greater barriers than a man from the same community. Addressing these disparities requires the robust implementation of national policies, laws, and institutional structures, including gender-responsive budgeting and active participation of marginalised groups, beyond mere tokenism.
The role of data in crafting inclusive policies
The importance of disaggregated data in shaping informed policies cannot be overstated. Accurate data helps combat inequalities and ensures that policies address the needs of the most vulnerable populations. Furthermore, aligning university research, donor funding, and government policies into a unified platform is crucial for strengthening Nepal’s systems and reducing dependency on foreign aid.
Despite significant progress, misconceptions about inclusivity remain prevalent in Nepali society. Many people continue to view inclusivity solely as a women’s issue, overlooking its intersectional nature. Marginalised groups’ voices are often unheard, and token participation is frequently mistaken for genuine inclusion.
Moreover, the assumption that a one-size-fits-all approach can address diverse needs undermines true inclusivity. To make meaningful progress, adequate resource allocation and the integration of inclusion principles across all development sectors are critical. Inclusion is not just about women; it is about empowering all marginalised communities and fostering an environment where they can become self-reliant.
Gender equality in sustainable development
Achieving sustainable development requires treating all citizens fairly and equitably. Gender is a cross-cutting priority across all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on SDG 5, which aims to ensure that everyone benefits equally from development. This includes strengthening legal frameworks to combat gender-based violence, improving legal literacy, and strengthening the implementation of existing policies.
One major target is ensuring 50 per cent representation of women and marginalised groups in leadership roles, politics, workplaces, and local governance, though challenges like insufficient resources and a lack of knowledge on effective implementation persist. Economic empowerment programs are specifically targeting women and marginalised communities, with a strong focus on evidence-based policymaking.
In education, marginalised groups—especially girls, Dalits, and those with disabilities—face disproportionately high dropout rates due to socio-economic challenges, harmful cultural practices, and poor-quality education.
Globalisation has intensified unhealthy competition for opportunities, but the real challenge lies in the lack of local opportunities and the overall quality of education. Skill-based education should be prioritised to foster inclusive growth. Additionally, ensuring accountability in the delivery of public services and improving state mechanisms are essential for equitable development.
Budgeting for Inclusion
To address these systemic challenges, gender-responsive budgeting at both the national and local levels is vital. Budgets should be dedicated to inclusive gender-social-climate justice policies that consider the needs of women, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities.
Capacity building for government officials and community leaders on inclusive planning, budgeting, and monitoring is essential. Public awareness campaigns should challenge entrenched gender and social norms, contributing to SDG targets and equitable development for the nation.
Legal frameworks and protection
Nepal’s legal provisions guarantee equality and non-discrimination, particularly for marginalised groups. These provisions ensure equal rights for women in marriage, property ownership, and family matters, and prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
The Constitution mandates 33 per cent representation of women in decision-making bodies, and the 16th Periodic Plan emphasises inclusive economic growth, gender-responsive budgeting, and women’s empowerment. Similarly, the National Gender Equality Policy promotes women’s participation in decision-making and addresses gender-based violence.
Other legal frameworks, such as the Social Protection Policy and the NFDIN Act, provide benefits to marginalised groups and protect the cultural rights of indigenous peoples. The Disability Rights Act ensures equal rights for people with disabilities, while the Local Governance Act mandates inclusive strategies at the local level for development planning and service delivery.
The path towards true inclusion
True inclusion in Nepal requires data-driven policies, stronger legal frameworks, and the meaningful participation of marginalised groups in governance. Gender-responsive budgeting, inclusive policies, and capacity building at all levels of government are key to overcoming systemic inequalities and achieving sustainable development. By enhancing the participation of marginalised groups in decision-making and reinforcing inclusivity, Nepal can make significant strides toward a more equitable society.
In conclusion, Nepal must prioritise policies that ensure equal opportunities for all, focusing on education, economic empowerment, and social protection. Strengthening the implementation of national policies, promoting inclusive education, and ensuring the meaningful representation of marginalised groups in leadership roles will pave the way for a more just and inclusive nation. Through these efforts, Nepal can achieve lasting and sustainable development for all its citizens.
