KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 22
Speakers at an event in Kathmandu today warned that harmful traditional practices had resulted in gender inequality and discrimination and violence against women and girls.
The programme was aimed at demystifying gender biased socio-cultural norms.
Bandana Rana, UN CE- DAW Committee member, noted that inequality and bias were inherent in Nepali culture, leading to gender discrimination and violence against vulnerable groups.
"We need to critically look at our cultural practices whether they stand the test of equality. A synergy among all of us is required to do away with biased traditional rituals," she said, adding, "All our cultural festivals should be tales of equality, empowerment and joy but should not be the cause of discrimination against anyone under any pretext."
Rana also underscored the need to check whether harmful traditional practices are poisoning our nation with toxic masculinity. She was of the opinion that such practices would add to inequality and violence and hamper the advancement of women and girls.
Rajesh Ahiraj, former province chief of Madhes Province, said if men were identified with the issues of women, the problem would already be half solved. He also pointed out that despite the positive intent, our religions and rituals were not without anomalies. He further added that all had to make concerted efforts to bring real change to our society.
Badri Pun, a rights activist committed to advancing the rights of sexual and gender minority shared the saga of the struggle he had to go through as a transman for his social and citizenship rights. He said that the LGBTIQ members were among the most affected as the cultural norms were based only on gender binary system. He further added that the community he belonged to was neglected and deprived of socio-economic and education opportunities.
"Traditional practices recognise male and female but the third gender is looked down upon. As our social system is based on gender binary opposites, gender and sexual minorities are easy target of discrimination and they face high risk of violence," he said.
Bhawanta Raut, a rights activist, opined that young feminists needed to come to the front in a bid to change the patriarchal mindset and the system. She said the feminist movement could benefit from the engagement with men and boys who are positive towards equality and gender empowerment.
She also underscored the need for everyone to check if they are in the side of survivors in the true sense.
Sajani Amatya, Saathi president, informed that the event was designed as a sharing platform where distinguished personalities and young activists presented positive stories of personal transformation against harmful traditional practices.
Actress Mithila Sharma said religions and cultures in Nepal had lots of positives to take and emulate.
"Cultural reform and revision are a continual process. It takes time. We need to revise our traditional practices with the change of time, making them more relevant, contextual and humane," She said.
Saathi, an NGO working for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, organises Teej talks annually. Generally it coincides with Teej festival . However, with cases of COVID rising and the health ministry's conjecture about the new wave last month, the programme had to be put off for a later date.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 23, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
