32% households headed by women in Karnali

By Lalit Basel,Surkhet, Dec. 8: The number of female-headed households in Karnali Province stands at 32 per cent. 

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, only 32 per cent of the 366,255 households in Karnali are led by women.

With 68 per cent of households headed by men, it is evident that women have not yet been adequately brought forward as heads of households.

According to the 2021 census, the population of Karnali is 1,688,412, of which 49 per cent are men and 51 per cent are women. 

Despite the higher population of women, only 32 per cent of households are female-led. To address this disparity, UN Women, the European Union, UNICEF and the International Labour Organization have initiated the ‘Prosperous Women, Prosperous Nepal’ programme in Karnali to empower women economically and socially.

The four-year programme focuses on addressing social gender discrimination, promoting the care economy, developing women’s leadership and ensuring good governance and inclusion.

Sangita Yadav, Programme Officer of the United Nations Mission in Nepal, stated that since the condition of women remains weak, the programme aims to empower them through these targeted initiatives.

The programme has been implemented in 10 municipalities of Karnali Province, including Birendranagar Municipality and Chaukune Rural Municipality in Surkhet, Narayan Municipality, Dulla Municipality, Bhairavi Rural Municipality, and Mahabu Rural Municipality in Dailekh, Khandachakra Municipality in Kalikot, Sanibheri Rural Municipality in Rukum West and Thulibheri Municipality in Dolpa.

 In Karnali, 68 per cent of women are actively participating in the labour force.

Additionally, of the 23 per cent of people from Karnali seeking foreign employment, 18 per cent are women, and 82 per cent are men. 

Furthermore, 13 per cent of the population still lacks birth certificates, according to Yadav.

Upma Malla of UNICEF noted that efforts to establish child funds at the local level in Karnali are ongoing. Currently, 38 out of 79 municipalities in the province have established funds to support children affected by violence.

Local levels have allocated budgets ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 2.2 million for these funds. 

However, challenges remain due to the lack of child rights committees and child welfare officers, which hinder the operationalisation of these funds.

UN Women's Preeti Shrestha emphasised the need for discussions on the care economy, pointing out that women bear a greater workload than men. She highlighted the importance of linking household work done by women with the economy to empower them.

Shiva Bhandari, Senior Programme Manager of the European Union, stated that the programme aims to strengthen women by addressing various aspects, including gender equality and the care economy, across the 10 municipalities of Karnali.