Kathmandu, December 25

The government's new Social Inclusion Policy aims to develop an equitable and prosperous society through social inclusion system.

For this, the government will mobilise all the local levels. According to a report recently published by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, the policy aims to ensure access of citizens to all thematic areas and structures by strengthening economically and socially backward communities and persons.

As per the MoFAGA, the policy has devised five strategies to attain its objectives. They include institutionalisation of social inclusion in all thematic areas, enhancing meaningful participation of marginalised citizens in policy-making and decision-making process, ensuring justifiable opportunity in development and benefits for backward classes, regions, gender groups and communities, strengthening capacity of target communities for utilisation of available resources and means, and enhancing the capacity of stakeholders concerned for implementation of policies and programmes related to social inclusion.

Each of these strategies has its own working policies for institutionalisation and promotion of social inclusion in the local levels. The policy says necessary laws and procedures pertaining to social inclusion will be formulated and implemented as per local needs.

Similarly, it envisions the revision of existing laws to make them time-befitting and inclusion-friendly for fulfilment of commitments made by Nepal in international forums, conventions and treaties.

The MoFAGA said the plans and programmes of the government, non-government and private organisations would be aligned with the planning process of the local levels to make social inclusion more effective. Necessary coordination and collaboration will be worked out with various organisations to avoid duplication of programmes.

The policy also has the provision for formation of beneficiaries and users committee with the participation of target groups and communities to ensure that they benefit from development projects and programmes.

The local levels will mobilise community, cooperative, non-government and private organisations for protection, rehabilitation and capacity development of vulnerable sections of society such as victims of violence, women, children, teenagers, differently-abled persons, orphans, helpless people and street-dependent citizens.

Likewise, the policy mentions that the local levels will operate target programmes to reduce gaps between various groups and regions in economic, educational and health sectors. Ending social discrimination and harmful social practices such as child marriage, gender-based violence, untouchability, dowry system, haliya system, chhaupadi system, child labour and human trafficking also fall under the priority areas of the policy.

There will be representation of persons from backward groups and communities in the formation of Tole Development Committee in each ward while public audit and public hearing will be made more effective.

Real-time online information system will be designed and developed for collection, analysis, documentation, reporting, and dissemination of disaggregated data of backward groups and communities in a bid to expand access to government services and facilities, according to the MoFA- GA.

A version of this article appears in the print on December 26, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.