Rights of Women and Indigenous Nationalities: (Civic Awareness)

 
Unit 5: Civic Awareness

Lesson 10: Rights of Women and Indigenous Nationalities: 

Introduction

All the people are equal in the democratic system which is the rule of Nature also. Every citizen has the right to participate in the governing system or they have fundamental rights to live freely. The state has to bring every community, sex, caste, religion and class into the mainstream of development without any discrimination on the basis of the principle of inclusion.

Rights of women

It is the basic principle that women are not less capable than men in any sectors. They have been playing significant roles in overall development since the very beginning of human civilization. The presence and participation of women in the development may double the pace of development. Here, the issue is the equal opportunity that is a lack in society in practical life. Gender bias has been creating many obstacles for the smooth run of society and any developmental works.

Provisions made under the constitution for women rights

·        Provision of acquiring a citizenship certificate in the name of mother,

·        End of gender discrimination,

·        Rights of the parental property, safe motherhood and reproductive health,

·        Mental, physical, sexual and psychological violence against women should be stopped,

·        Participation of women in all state structures and bodies on the basis of proportional inclusive principle etc.

Rights of indigenous nationalities

The term indigenous means the citizens who have been living in a particular territory, a country since the ancient time. Furthermore, those casts, the community has its own language, tradition, culture, customs and own genealogical history.  As per the last census done in 2011 AD, there are 125 castes in the county Nepal.

 

The Rights of Indigenous Nationalities are discussing as:

·        Right to free and compulsory basic education,

·        Right to education in a child-friendly environment in school,

·        Right to preserve and promote their language, script and civilization,

·        Rights for special facility of housing, employment and service and facilities provided by the state, and

·        Right to respectful presence in various state bodies and inclusive representation.

 

Similarly, there are several agencies and efforts made by the government for the protection and effective exercise of the rights of women and indigenous nationalities. Indigenous Nationalities Commission and Women rights commission are efficiently working for the protection of their rights.