In Nepal, agriculture being a source of income and livelihood for more than 20 million Nepalese is surely reaching its height to development with new developed techniques and education but somehow today also Nepalese women are pretty dominated by men in their day-to-day agriculture works.
Remarking their condition
In Nepal, agriculture contributes to one third of GDP; being such a responsible sector providing much aid to the national economy is unable to conceal the existing patricentric situation of the present agriculture system which is run by both men and women but their work is recognized differently. According to World Bank collection indicators, 2016, 81 percent of Nepalese are rural based out of which 43 percent are female laborers highly committed to their work, Nepal ranks first position in women participation in agriculture yet it is least recognized despite their endless contributions. Women taking their every possible duty (reproductive, commutative and productive) work endlessly back on fields with the same efforts and courage as men but their work and efforts are undervalued since ages. Although there is huge transformation in women from the past 20 years, where women who were fixed to their homes are now flying their wings high, perceiving their abilities to run the world there are still some women whose works are disregarded intentionally or unintentionally. The female participation in agriculture has increased from 36% (1981) to now up to 50% (2016), according to USAID in 2011, an estimated 10% Nepali men were employed abroad, leaving women in charge of both household and farm works; this brings more challenges as well opportunities to them which help to develop and know their own skills but however their unpaid labor and work remain overlooked. In developing countries only 10-20% of landholders are women. research says, in terms of getting wages, women are getting paid 25% lower than men despite legal provisions. Governmental laws and regulations are restricted to books and constitution only, direct implementation are limited to advanced areas.
Rural women are ignored and degraded for a very long time, not only in terms of money but also in getting ownership, utilizing the sources, inputs and every farm decision, men have more power and influence over there. Core reason behind this is the huge gap between men and women that the men themselves had started considering them a little higher than women. In addition to these the society itself wants that every decision taken should be officially agreed by men. This narrow-minded society of our country has led to the regressive condition of women in agriculture today, where their every decisions are questioned, based on the rational judgments of society that women cannot take correct decisions on farm as they lack skills and techniques and also leading qualities today also women are asked to limit their decisions and advices. Although women are involved in highly advanced works, their work is limited to wedding, harvesting, while men are subjected to marketing, seed selection, implementing tractors, and threshers. Women are just as good at farming as men, says the United Nations of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) because they have less access to resources, they get much lower crop yields. However, working for both home and field is extremely tough for women, a study shows that Nepalese women in hilly districts had worked for 16 hours per day compared to only 9-10 hours for men yet their work has been neglected or we can say no matter how hard is for them to work their value is always negligible. In Nepal, the low literacy rate of women is also the chief cause that today Nepalese women can’t stand for their own rights, the land they own also needs approval of men or any high skilled people to get sold. Not only in farms but also in highly reputed sectors like extension offices due to lack of women extension officers their decisions and voice are demoralized. The study of 124 Newar households in Lubhu Village Development Committee, Kathmandu valley provides a statistical representation of women’s roles in agricultural operations and household activities by assessing the actual extent of their work. After analyzing the gender division of labor, the study concludes that women’s work in agriculture and household activities is significantly higher than men’s work.
Acknowledgement
If women are also given the same support and opportunities as men their work can also be fruitful which has been proven by Chandra Kala Thapa, one of smallholder of the women farmers from Rani churi village in Sindhuli district, she was barely able to produce enough grains to feed her family, with the support from the joint programme she converted her field from grain production to high value vegetables (Women, 2017). Also, a project called Empower Women on a Sustainable Agriculture Initiative in Nepal provides help to especially vulnerable women with home, food and a plot so that they are able to build a future for them and their children. Project operates a women’s farm cooperative in rural Nepal, located only 35 km away from the capital city. The women are given a plot of land and roof over their heads in turn they cultivate land and grow organic fruit and vegetables. This not only has developed their working abilities or skills, but also enhanced their confidence to relive their life on their own terms and conditions. Also, there are many such other NGOS and INGOS working to bring both women and men equally in power highlighting the importance and capabilities of women that they too can be bread earner rather than only being a bread maker, organization are helping many women out there, their efforts have been able to fill this huge gap between them somehow but still condition of Nepalese women is also a matter of concern today.
The way forward
Nowadays, where the word feminism is gaining attention of everyone needs implementation too, women should understand that only raising voices, creating rallies won’t help them if they really want to bring change then it must come in own first, shouting, blaming others is easier; if women want to get an identity, then first, they must pave their path on their own. And others should also understand that not only women but everyone should get every support and opportunities which they deserve. Success doesn’t rely on gender, when hard work and consistency integrates it comes along. FAO estimates that if women farmers(43 percent of the agricultural labor force in developing countries) had the same access to tools and credits as men, agricultural output in 34 developing countries would rise by an estimated average of up to 4 per cent that could reduce the number of unnourished populations in those countries. By 2050, the global population is expected to grow 2.3 billion people; food demand could rise 60%. Closing the gender gap in farming not only eliminates hunger but also provides possible secondary effects, says Anna Falth of UN women. If women want, then they can surely do both the work of house and farm. There’s no doubt, development is everywhere but we want real development in people’s thoughts. It’s high time that we both men and women be equally responsible for producing quality agriculture by giving more emphasis to sustainable agriculture farming producing good human empowerment by implementing an equitable approach in agri farming then only the word agriculture will truly define its meaning.
