KATHMANDU, AUGUST 20
Although Nepal has made good progress in terms of developing progressive policy frameworks and providing essential basic services such as education and health care, the 2021 census shows that more needs to be done especially when it comes to maternal mortality.
Maternal mortality is a global crisis. While globally, a woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy related complications, in Nepal, two women die every day due to the same reason.
The impact of maternal mortality goes beyond individual lives. It is fraught with significant economic and social consequences, affecting the health and well-being of entire societies.
When mothers die, families lose caregivers, breadwinners and role models, leading to poverty, malnutrition and poor health outcomes for their children.
Harmful practices and violence against women and girls is also a pervasive issue calling for urgent intervention.
The consequences of this violence can be devastating, with serious physical, emotional, and psychological impacts on women, their families, communities and societies.
For example, Nepal has one of the highest rates of child marriage in Asia, despite its illegal status. Preliminary analysis from the census shows that one in five women (22 per cent) marry as children with 3 per cent married before turning 15.
Professor Yogendra B Gurung, Central Department of Population Studies, TU, said the definition of child marriage contradicts with the legal provisions in Nepal.
"A 16-year old is eligible to obtain citizenship and exercise various fundamental and constitutional rights enshrined in the constitution. However, other laws stipulate something else in criminal procedure acts. Hence, the definition of legal age should be clarified," Dr Gurung told THT.
Similarly, cultural and religious beliefs are pivotal reasons for exponential child marriage rates in Nepal.
Professor Gurung said, "Nepal is Hindu dominated state. Early marriage is a traditional practice. This has made the problem more difficult. However, proper education and employment opportunities can go a long way in eliminating this social evil."
At the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, countries including Nepal, made several commitments related to human rights, population development, sexual and reproductive health and gender equality.
It was a remarkable global consensus that placed individual dignity and human rights at the heart of development.
"Much has been achieved over the past 30 years, but we are now at a critical inflection point," said UNFPA representative to Nepal, Won Young Hong.
"There are many other multifaceted crises that threaten to erode the hardwon gains, and therefore action must be taken now."
Vice Chair at UN CEDAW Committee, Bandana Rana said that 2024 marks a crucial year as it is the 30th anniversary of the ICPD, which is a reminder of the importance of its agenda, which champions people-centred development, rights and choices for all, and the pursuit of peace and prosperity.
She said, "Our collective future depends on how we think about, and respond to the ties between population and development. The choices we make will either pave the way for a brighter, more resilient world or lead us towards unprecedented costs and irreversible consequences at the individual and collective levels."
"We need urgent action to fulfil the vision set out by the ICPD 30 years ago, to stop the needless violence and harm and even death and to ensure a brighter, more resilient future for all," added Rana. She further reiterated that we must build on the vision set by the Programme of Action and make the right choices for a better tomorrow. "Urgent action must be taken to make the vision for humanity expressed by the ICPD a reality," she said.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 21, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
