'VAW still significant challenge in feminist movement, victim blaming undesirable'

By Pabitra Guragain, Kathmandu, March 23: Academia, activists, and students gathered today to discuss "Challenges of the Feminist Movement in Nepal: Contemporary Debate and Future Trajectories."     

The participants shared their perspectives on the issue, offering insights from various angles: women's rights, a gender-based lens, and the importance of men's alliance in the movement, among others.     

During her presentation, Dr. Mira Mishra, one of the founding mothers of Gender Studies in Nepal, urged everyone "to consider, understand, and internalize feminism as a tool to treat all individuals as complete human beings, regardless of their sex, sexuality, or gender."     

Reflecting on her extensive involvement in academia, Dr. Mishra emphasized that there is no reason to fear feminism, nor should it be misunderstood as a movement aimed at taking away rights from specific classes, genders, or communities.     

"Men's engagement in feminism is crucial to achieving the goals. Excluding them will undoubtedly hinder our efforts to dismantle systemic inequalities," she added.     

Dr. Mishra also highlighted violence against women as a significant and ongoing challenge in the pursuit of a just society. She expressed deep concerns over what she described as "regressive statements" from some groups, who, despite identifying as rights activists, regarding cases of sexual violence against women and girls.     

She argued the culture of 'victim-blaming' manifested in such comments and other direct forms is a significant obstacle to the feminist movement in Nepal. "This is completely unpleasant and unwelcoming in the feminist movement," Dr. Mishra concluded.     

Professor Dr. Bindu Pokharel, a prominent figure in Gender Studies, viewed that feminism is interconnected with other social theories and doctrines.     

The discourse of feminism now needs to address the challenges faced by foreign migrant workers and their families, migrant returnees, the gendered impact of climate change, and the emerging cyber security issue as well.     

Dr. Pokharel calls for dismantling the traditional, narrow definitions of women and gender roles. She envisions a society where all individuals, regardless of gender, background, or identity, can live a meaningful life.     

She pressed the idea of designing and implementing a strategy and actions tailored to the given context to achieve the goals of feminism. "Lived experiences matter, and our efforts to create a more inclusive society should be grounded in this approach."     

The professor also expressed hope for broader support and cooperation from all sectors to strengthen the feminist movement and ensure that voices calling for equal power relations are heard and acted upon.     

Speaking as a panelist, Sanjog Thakuri, the President of an organization named "Hami DajuVai" (Nepali brothers), echoed the need to engage men in pursuit of gender equality, recognizing it as an evolving concept.     

Men’s involvement in feminist movements has occurred in bits and pieces since the beginning, he said. "It is not about men occupying women's spaces; rather, it is for making men's spaces feminist as well."     

He highlighted the importance of making one and everyone clear about the theory of feminism. "For example, an act such as promoting menstrual discrimination in the name of 'bodily autonomy' is never in line with the core principles of feminist thought."     

In his view, more discourse on this issue is warranted to learn and unlearn men's roles and accountability in the promotion of feminism.     

Rights-based organizations and educational institutions, such as the TU Central Department of Gender Studies, were urged to expand their efforts against 'measures' that undermine the core norms and values of feminism, which could push society toward regression. It was emphasized that there should be a deeper focus on the lived experiences of diverse classes and communities, with efforts to make the feminist movement more inclusive and impactful.     

Department Head Jamuna Siwakoti Upreti stated that the objective of the event organized, commemorating International Women's Day (March 8) was to identify the challenges facing the contemporary feminist movement in Nepal and explore strategies to strengthen it through academic discourse.     

The programme, organized by the TU Central Department of Gender Studies, was supported by Story Kitchen, Nepal.(RSS)