PART - EIGHT
Conclusion
 

The history of Nepal is focused mainly on the royal family, feudal lords and high-class aristocrats. It does not mention anything specific about the working class people who are the genuine history makers. The main reason behind this is the domination of feudalistic attitude and culture in the society. As in every society divided into the rich and poor, Nepali history has always been in the favour of the former.

The relationship between woman and man in a patriarchal society is like that of a "slave and master". Such a society considers women as the property of men. And, no matter how much the man is exploited by the feudal class, he expresses his supremacy by ruling over the woman. The same is reflected in the writing of history. The contribution of women has been overarched. Against this reality, conclusions of this research can be drawn as follows:

• Household labour has not so far been counted as an economic activity. Of whatever is counted, women labour (56 percent) constitutes higher than that of men (53 percent).

• A major portion of women labour is involved in unpaid works. That means women do not get paid despite hard and terrifying works they do both inside and outside the houses. This has created unfortunaely a social attitude that considers women as dependent on men's income.

• Women are kept behind from skill generation and qualification promotion right from their birth. It is thus essential that any practice discriminating between men and women be wiped out. In every sector, an environment for equal opportunity needs to be guaranteed.

• Gender discrimination prevails very much everywhere, even in identifying training programmes. Nothing should be labelled as 'for men' and 'women'. The traditional attitude of separating men and women by work should come to an end; the principle of "equal employment opportunity for everybody" should be introduced. It may call for special measures to initiate to increase the participation of women in areas where their involvement is minimum. Similar should be done to involve men in household works.

• Although women participation is maximum in agriculture and animal husbandry, their participation in training provided in these sectors is quite minimum. Women do the actual work but men go for training, which in turn is useless. Therefore, due attention should be given towards providing training opportunities to those who are involved in the related-work.

• The influence of patriarchy is visible in government, NGOs and other functionaries. Women participation is minimum in policy-making and planning & programming. To address this, special provisions and arrangement needs to be worked out, such as quota system or reservation mechanism in order to improve the participation of women in all sectors.

• The increase in number does not justify that gender discrimination has been wiped out. It rather calls for gender-sensitive policies, programs and leadership in every kind of socio-political functioning.

• Responsibility of motherhood is more social than individual. But it is rather taken in a reverse manner and as a factor that marks the weakness of women. This backward social attitude has a strong bearing to justify that equal opportunity is not possible as there are inherent physical deformities with women. This attitude, which prevails everywhere and at all conditions, should be challenged and changed.

• There is a marked difference in the remuneration provided to woman and man for the work similar and of equal value. The average remuneration of women is just 57 percent of that of the men. The amount differs depending on the areas of work, specifically in agriculture, cottage industry, machine operation and other areas of work that requires manual labour. This needs an immediate change.

• Women have not been able to take up leadership in any movement for their rights, even in service sector where educated women are involved. This situation calls for a massive awareness campaign, at various levels. Trade union movement should not thus be confined to informal education alone.

• Women have a notable participation in democratic movement in the country. They have always been in the forefront to fight imperialist forces as well as despotic elements. They have also been hailed for their participation in the struggle for educational, political, economic and social reforms. Unfortunately, no space has been given in the pages of history to account for the deeds of women. It is therefore necessary that Nepali history be re-written with righteous judgment.

• The working class people in Nepal began their movement from 1947. Women participation also began from the very beginning. Their roles are highlighted in various movements, in Biratnagar Jute Mills. Their movement also continued in a number of clashes with police, giving a slap to the mentality visualising women to be weaker.

• Whatever rights women have gained are because of their own organised efforts and struggles. Women should thus be organised to achieve further.

• The movement of women is diverse in terms of ideologies, practices and objectives. Reformist, feminist and revolutionary trends do exist in Nepal. All these trends need to be considered as part of women's movement.

• Women's movement and the working class struggle are complementary to each other. In a number of movements, women and the working class people have walked hand in hand, and have gained achievements. This fact should be well internalised in any movements to come.

• Labour movement is inseparable from social and political movement. Not only in their professional issues, workers have equally been active in any struggle meant for social change since 1947.

• Although women have participated in the working class struggle, their quality participation is yet unseen. It is therefore essential to carry out effective measures to enhance equal and quality participation of women at every level. Gender sensitive union leadership should be developed at all levels.

• Grassroot level unions and organisations are the base of labour movement. Unless quality participation of women is enhanced at every level of union movement, no women specific issues can be reflected in policy formulation. Local unions and national federations should pay appropriate attention towards this end. Quality involvement of women should be ensured right from the primary level of union activities.

• raining and skill development programs should be carried to address the needs of working women. Responsibility should be entrusted to them accordingly. Such congenial atmosphere should be developed in which cooperation is extended, responsibilities are shared and men and women jointly fight obstructions emanating from social norms and traditions. Workers in service sector are ahead of those working in production and agriculture sector in terms of qualifications and skills. But in terms of the participation in the movement that means in the accumulation of experiences, reverse is the case. Any genuine movement should therefore build in internalising the value of education, class-consciousness and experiences.

• Nepali labour policies, labour laws and other labour-related issues and areas are not gender-sensitive. Labour laws have raised very little issues concerning women. Furthermore, the matters relating to child-care are confined to women alone. Compassionate leaves are granted only for men. Labour laws are silent on family responsibility issues, sexual harassment and so on. Unless the leadership is sensitive towards such issues, it is useless to hope gender sensitive policies.

• The issues raised by union movement on gender equality for collective bargaining is good, but not sufficient. Fostering quality participation of women requires proper attention and action to such issues.

• It is encouraging that trade unions have initiated works towards the development of gender policies and special programs. Its implementation, monitoring and assessment tools should also be effective. Policies and programme should be time and again reviewed, modified if necessary and be effectively implemented with the participation of women.

• Co-operatives movement should progress ahead as an income generating activity for women workers.

• Studies should be undertaken about the peasant movements as well, which have long history, but not recorded well.

• Research work should further be continued even in the area this study has been made, as there may have been a number of facts left behind.