Minefield Problems Remain

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Minefield Problems Remain

By RADHA PAUDEL
The Comprehensive Peace Accord (2006) had clearly mentioned that “the government army and the Maoist PLA shall assist each other to mark landmines and booby traps used during the time of armed conflict by providing information within 30 days and defuse and excavate the same within 60 days.”

We civilians do not know much about the nature of landmines, their impacts and what policies are there regarding them. People don't care about this unless these explosives cause immediate loss to them. But according to INSEC, 78 persons were killed and 395 others were injured by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during 2006-2011.

Both Nepal Army and Maoist PLA used the landmines as a strong defense strategy during the decade of insurgency. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were used massively everywhere, especially in places like Kalikot, Jumla, Dang, and Arghakhachi where exchange of firing occurred.

In all, Nepal Army planted 275 explosives and Maoist PLA 52, 617. As part of implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Accord, the government declared Nepal a mine free country in June 14, 2011. Phulchoki of Lalitpur was called the last site for clearance of the anti-personnel landmines. Nepal also announced that it is the second landmine free Asian country.

Unfortunately, two days after the declaration, on June 16, this writer was in Manma, Kalikot asking for help to the victims of landmines. A bomb blast occurred in Phuhemahadev village of Kalikot. A 16-year boy, named Ananda Pandey, was injured severely while he was in his maize farm. He was brought to Bir Hospital and transferred to teaching hospital in June 26. He lost one of his eyes completely, and another eye had injuries. He lost fingers, suffered broken arms and had severely damaged mouth, nose, forehead, and chest. Now, he is getting surgery and treatment in the teaching hospital where Action Works Nepal (AWON), a non-governmental organization working for Karnali, is taking care of him under Miteri Gaun (Let's Live Together) campaign.

In this scenario, the government still needs to consider landmines as a serious concern for the following reasons; i) the civilians do not have access to information about the policies and systems, ii) no access to well equipped health institutions, iii) poor mechanism to respond to the survivors of landmine accidents. Thus, the government should continue to educate the people for taking consideration of nearby cantonments, barracks and areas of cross firing. The government also should ensure the system is in place to take care of survivors fully even after the declaration announcing the country as landmine free. Otherwise the risks are there that more negative impacts occur. For example, if Ananda had got immediate treatment (such as by rescuing him via a helicopter) and treatment, he wouldn't lose his vision. In this connection, provisions of free health treatment matters little. The needful action always matters, therefore, the government should be serious to serve landmine survivors. In a landmine free country, there should not be more people suffering like Ananda. Never Again

सार्वजनिक यातायातमा महिला माथि हुने हिंसाकावारेमा नयाँ वहसको थालनी

सार्वजनिक यातायातमा महिला माथि हुने हिंसाकावारेमा नयाँ वहसको थालनी

Public Transportation and Gender Based Violence

Briefing Note: Interaction Program with Policy Makers

Public Transportation and Gender Based Violence (GBV)

June 3, 2011

Organizers: Action Works Nepal and OUTLINE Media Pvt.Ltd.

Introduction: In general, 50% passengers are women. In Public Transportation, women, men and Transgender encountered with various forms of discrimination and violence. However, women are facing and struggling more due to patriarchal, feudal structure and system with us (87% women faced violence in Delhi, 2010, UN women, JAGORI…..).

Forms of discrimination and violence experienced in Nepali context:

1.    Women with bag, kid, disability, student, short heights not able to get on and off as their choice or station

2.    No reserved seats for women, disability, short heights, if provisioned in some cases but not implemented at all

3.    No space for stand at all. No bars, ropes, stands for standing

4.    Not allow to hold two places for standing

5.    Pieces of poems, slogan, statements, stickers, posters, cartoons etc put at door, ceiling, wall etc of the vehicles

6.    Conductors hold strongly at the arms, back, hand while get on/off where there is no need to supposed

7.    The conductor, driver or men passengers make funs, jokes, chat about bed scenes, blue films which are directly focused on sex and sexuality with the reference of women's cloths, structure. Usually following points are come across;

·         Mujhi (refer to private parts)

·         Mother fucking

·         Wow! How beauty, I am dying for such girl friend

·         Sat! what a hard this break like penis during sex

·         Oh! Can I get such a lady by tonight

8. Men passengers, conductors create opportunity e.g. act as fall in sleep for sexual abuse by

·         Touching body parts mainly breast, axilla, ear, back, cheeks etc

·          Pinching/punching

·         Rubbed genital part, erect penis and show aggressiveness, shouted with vulgar words, act like drinking

·         Shouted to women if she try to defense by saying use car !marriage with rich, why did you wear such a sexy dress or looking so sexy

·         Occupy more space in seat by spreading legs

·         Create embarrassing environment by touching genitalia

9. Very limited women driver and conductor or employees

10. The rental rate also claim more, do not or denial to return or need to request to back

11. Unnecessary debate or discussion while women show her identity card for discount if she has with kids, looks simple or adult by saying

·         Do anyone go to college with 2-3 kids?

·         Is it of daughter or mother, ha ha !

·         Oh ! nowadays intellectual go to college at the age 40 years

12. Pick pocketing inside the vehicles, and during get on/off

13. Ask many cross and unnecessary questions while checking by security personnel

14. Making funs, jokes, connect with circus etc to transgender especially male to female (MTF)

Affect/Impact

Short term

·         Extreme Stress

·         Depression

·         Dropping schools/work

·         Denial to go outside home

Long term

·         Low productivity (study, work)

·         Poor quality of life

·         Cost/expenditure increase in case of health related problems

·         Burden for family, society

Current Policies and Practices related to GBV and Public Transportation

1.    Code of conduct for Public Transportation, March 8, 2011

2.    National Plan of Action 1820

3.    GBV unit operationalize through Prime minister's office

4.    + ++ women's right

Media Coverage

1.    New Spotlight (Radha Paudel, October, 2010)

2.    News coverage by ekantipur, Himalayn news while launching code of conduct

Questions for Stakeholders for TODAY?

What should be done: immediately and long run?

Do we have some obligations?

Prepared by:

Radha Paudel,

MDM, MA,MEd,BN

President, Action Works Nepal,

email: rpaudel456@gmail.com,

URL:www.actionworksnepal.org

Solidarity to Women's Campgain for Progressive and Democratic Constitution, , May 28, 2011,Nepal

Dear Collegues,

Today is the precious day in the history of Nepal as well as histroy of women's right movement. The date for drafting new constituion is extended last year where two years was the initial deadline for that. Due to unaviodable circumtances among and within political parties, the new consitutional couldn't prepared so extended last year.

Unfortunately, political parties again enagaged in their political issues, game of power but not in process of constituional drafting.

May 28, 2011, today, Constituional Assembly supposed to promulgate the new constituion. But the situation is totally reverse. Thus, the date has to extend again. But there are schools of thoughts. Specially, progressive and democratic group like to extend the date with few conditions; demonstarte the activities carried out so far, reasonable action plan for accomplishment of the remaining tasks and ensure the women's right related with dalit, karnali, Madeshi, Janjati, Third Gender, diable  and so on....

In this connection, Action Works Nepal participated actively in the campgain and express its solidarity. You can follow the pictures in facebook of AWON.

Today is the 45 th day of the campgain where morethan fifty organizations, activists, networks,alliances, organizations also express solidarity and participate in various way. Campgainers, activists represnt across the country, ethinic groups, occupation. It is really inclusive at any perspetives.This campgain will be continue either extended or not for the monitoring of government as well as constituional assembly in coming days.
You can follow the pictures at
http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.203452076363129.45135.164325856942418 where cover the since beginning. It is also widely covered by national and local print, online, radio, Television media in both English and Nepali. Dr Renu Raj Bhandari, Advisor, WOREC is leading the campgain.

Hopefully, we, all Nepali, will get our demand (extention of the date at least for six month) within next three hours. Campgain will change its scope and modality definately. However, AWON would like to thank to all supporters, leaders, campgainers, OUTLINE Media team and AWON team and all for their persistent hardwork, passion and commitment and looking forward as usual support in coming days.
Regards,
AWON Team !
May 28, 9.35 PM, Baneshor, Kathmandu, Nepal

I, Radha Paudel, President of Action Works Nepal (AWON) is going to Jumla for monitoring the ongoing activities as well as expanding networking and partnership with other organizations. Indeed, this visit is planned near a month ago. But it seems so rush decision due to unable to get flights on it. To thoes who do not aware about the geographic tragedies and the politics/internal dynamic of the flights, they though that AWON team are unprofessional. But we know the reality because we are exposed with this corrupted system since 2001. Now, it is beoming more difficult for civilians due to lack of connections and affordability. My godness, the Nepalgung to Jumla (one way flight cost is NRS 8170). Is it pro-poor startegy? It is not affordable, accessible even for AWON who are working on voluntary basis. We afraid that the corrupted system trying to discourage to us in working in such area.

BUT, we are still optimistic. Since, arrival at Nepalgung, start to advocate about the AWON. Possibly expand the working area; other districts of karnali, as vision by AWON and also exploring the partnership. The reponses are both positve and negative. Most of the people do not belief that we are working in volutarily. If not, they can come and analyze our activities so far we achieved, source of income and expenditure. Obvisouly, we are following our practices for ensuirng governance as our policy.

Anyway, one day, we will get cheaper price flights as well as will construct the motorable road sin karnali and Karnali will be reached as AWON visioned.
Good night from karnali hotel, Nepalgunj, Bake, April 26, 2011.

Dear Friends,

Nepal is in process for restructuring and drafting the constitution. Now, Nepal has very limited days 32 days left as per mandate of constitutional assembly. Unfortunately, political leaders are not position to fulfill their commitment. Thus, women leaded organizations are pressurise to them by various advocacy activities such as Dharna, strike, flyers etc. In this connection, Action Works Action (AWON) also participates in this process at national level and district level. Here, the some photos are attached, through this link http://www.onsnews.com/index.php?pagename=gallery&gid=1466

In facebook of AWON, message is displayed in following link http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Action-Works-Nepal/164325856942418

Dear Friends,

Nepal is in process for restructuring and drafting the constitution. Now, Nepal has very limited days 32 days left as per mandate of constitutional assembly. Unfortunately, political leaders are not position to fulfill their commitment. Thus, women leaded organizations are pressurise to them by various advocacy activities such as Dharna, strike, flyers etc. In this connection, Action Works Action (AWON) also participates in this process at national level and district level. Here, the some photos are attached, through this link http://www.onsnews.com/index.php?pagename=gallery&gid=1466

In facebook of AWON, message is displayed in following link http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Action-Works-Nepal/164325856942418