GODAVARI, JULY 18

Today, according to the Nepali calendar, marked the government's announcement 23 years ago abolishing the Kamaiya (bonded labour) system, liberating countless individuals from the clutches of landlords.

The government abolished kamaiya system, a form of slavery, and freed the kamaiya with the cancellation of their debts to their 'masters' on 17 July 2000.

The announcement was itself historic in that it was an advance towards a progressive society where human rights and social justice gained prominence. But the reality is that the true empowerment of freed kamaiyas is yet to be fully realised.

The former kamaiyas complained they were significantly lagging behind in terms of economic, social and political empowerment as their education, health, employment, sustainable livelihood, social empowerment and inclusion were yet to become the priorities of the State.

The kamaiyas were living in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Bardiya, Banke and Dang and the government had at that time provided a piece of land (one to five kattha: one kattha equals to 3,645 sq ft as per the location), timber to build a shelter and some monetary assistance.

Over this course of time, the freed kamaiyas realised that these were not sufficient to resettle in society. A meaningful rehabilitation is still awaited.

'The day we were liberated had to be celebrated with much fanfare. But we are not in the position of marking the day enthusiastically as we are not liberated from the suffering and pain,' said Freed Kamaiya Women Development Forum, Kailali.

Kailali is home to 9,762 freed Kamaiya and of them 953 are yet to be properly rehabilitated.

Forum president Seema Chaudhary demanded identity cards for freed kamaiyas, implementation of the people's housing programme targeting freed kamaiays, and guarantee of free technical education to children of freed kamaiyas, kamlaris and youths, enterprise loan facility of Rs 500,000 up to five years without collateral and the participation of former kamaiyas in the each State organ.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 19, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.