The role of Non-governmental Organizations (NGO) in Achieving Social Inclusion Introduction/Background Social exclusion and poverty has been long related as cause and effect of each other.i The need of eliminating social exclusion by programs and projects to empower deprived communities was essentially realized in Nepal after Nine Five Year periodic plan (1997- 2002) and establishment of the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) 2063 (2005). The identification of deprived and marginalized communities was another important milestone to mainstream social inclusion in development programs of the state.ii The need of inclusive states has been reportedly emphasized as an important means of achieving millennium development goals (MDGs). The roles of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help state achieve inclusion are well recognized.iii After the historic people’s movement and election of Constituent Assembly (CA), the nationwide activities to strengthen social inclusion have got momentum. The NGOs throughout the nation have been largely responsible to perform various activities such as gender empowerment, promotion of indigenous cultures, empowering of marginal communities, etc. to enhance social inclusion in the country. The present assessment of NGOs working in to enhance social inclusion in terms of their capacity, outreach and activities is essential in order to strategize the future interventions for inclusive state. Objectives/Scope The broad objectives of studying the role of NGOs in achieving social inclusion are to: • Assess the present context of social inclusion and its implication on socioeconomic development of the country. • Assess the major areas of social inclusion on which various NGOs have concentrated their works on. • Contribute policy formulations related with strengthening social inclusion process The specific objectives of the study are to: • Review various roles NGOs can play achieving inclusive society. • Assess the characteristics of existing social exclusion in hills and Tarai of Nepal • Assess various aspects of social inclusion such as social equity, social capital, social safety nets and so on. • Prepare profiles of selected NGOs working in the social inclusion sector. • Identify gaps that exist as hurdle in achieving inclusive society • Provide pragmatic recommendations for effective policy making to minimize and eradicate social exclusion Methodology The study is largely depended on the reviewing of available relevant secondary literatures on social inclusion and NGOs working in Nepal. At the same time the researcher was also careful for selecting some women NGOs working in Kathmandu Valley from where empirical data were collected .Key informant interviews with the government agencies and NGOs working for social inclusion were performed. The selection of NGO’s with their profile is made on the basis of their scope of the work and their overarching access with target groups. 2 The research has reviewed the cases of three large women NGOs working in Nepal for understanding the mechanisms of social inclusion: Dalit, Adibasi/Janajati, and Madhesi ). The review has helped to draw a general overview of key areas NGOs have undertaken to help excluded groups to mainstream in socio-political processes. Findings and Analysis The section below describes selected women NGOs and their activities in Nepal Dalit Women’s NGOs There are three major Dalit women’s organizations active in Kathmandu, the Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO 1994), the Nepal Deprived Women Upliftment Center (Established 2001) and the National Feminist Dalit Organization of Nepal. There are others working at the district level. Of the three FEDO established in 1994 is the oldest and most active. It has its chapters in 45 districts (Interview). It has been implementing educational, health economic empowerment and advocacy programs for Dalit women. It is the most visible institution in the Dalit women’s movement, as it is focused on advocacy. Nepal Deprived Women Upliftment Centre is known more as a service provider and has established a children’s centre. Another Dalit women’s organization, in the Dalit Federation list active in Kathmandu is the Dalit Feminine Organization, Nepal (DFON). Its goal, as per their brief write up, is to build a society free from caste discrimination, through capacity building and empowerment of Dalit. Its activities, so far, however, have focused primarily on skill training to Dalit women. FINDINGS: Significant differences were found in education and economic status within the Dalit caste groups . Discrimination within the Dalits: Concept and practice of higher Dalit caste and lower Dalit caste. Women among Dalits under severe exclusion. Presently Women movements and right-based activities are making inclusion of Dalit Women and trying to uplift their social status. Adibasi/Janjati Women’s NGOs There are several Aadibasi/ Janjati women’s organizations established during the last decade. Most of them have the objectives of advancing interest of their own group. The National Federation of Aadibasi /Janjati Women (NIWF)) is a network of 29 Janjatispecific organizations. This organization was established in 2001(B.S. 2057). Its objectives include advocacy for recognition of the separate identity of Aadibasi/Janjati women, rights to resources, and education in the mother tongue, gender and caste/ethnic equality, raising awareness of Aadibasi/Janjati women on their rights and strengthening their organizations, and promotion and protection of cultural practices, languages, costumes etc. On the occasion of the 2007 International Day of Indigenous Nationalities, the NIWF came out with its own declaration advocating Aadibasi/Janjati rights and agenda. This declaration advocated their rights from both gender and Aadibasi/Janjati perspectives. There are a few other Aadibasi/Janjati Women’s organizations outside this network (e.g. Aadibasi Himali Mahila Sanjal, National Aadibasi/Janjati Women’s Forum). But they have been working in collaboration and cooperation. FINDINGS Lower Educational Status among Adibasi/Janajati women restricting them from high-paid jobs. 3 Language (particularly Nepali and English) seen as the main barrier of entering into the higher education program. Women are mainly discriminated under the Property Rights, Opportunities in Public Spheres and Education. Madhesi Women NGOs Like Dalit and Adibasi/Janaajti a number of Madhesi women’s organizations have also emerged during the decade, some of them are active only in Madhesh (Typically Eastern and Middle Terai), while a few are active in Kathmadu as well. Videh Foundation (VF) has been established as an independent research and training organization in May 7, 2007 for protecting rights of marginalized communities, promoting good governance and strengthening ethics regime in Nepal. The Foundation has focused its activities in eastern and mid-Madhesh districts and it has trained groups of women, particularly from the Madhesi community, who conducts research and training Programmes in Kathmandu and the districts. Videh Foundation with UNIFEM assistance conducted a series of interactions (total of 13) with Madheshi rural women in Saptari and Siraha and with a mixed group of Madhesi women leaders and district representatives, in Kathmandu. As an outcome of these interactions, it has produced a 43 point charter of demands. These demands as in the case of Adibasi /Janajati and Dalit women can be divided in two parts, those related to women in general and those related to specific Madhesi issues. FINDINGS: Education not easily accessible for Madhesi Women due to patriarchal model. Socio-Culture circle inhibits Madhesi women in every step of life. Dowry, Parda system and such social customs are restricting women for inclusion. No/very few representation of Madhesi women at decision-making levels in the government administration. To sum up: 1. Social exclusion remains rampant in Nepal however the situation has been improving for few years especially after consistent socio-political transitions after 1990. In a recent research based on statistical tools for assessing social exclusion in Nepal, Dalits and Muslims were found as the highest excluded groups in both hills and Tarai of Nepal. 2. The increasing number of cooperatives, user groups in recent years has been helpful in increasing social ties in many parts of the Nepal. The benefit of cross cutting ties has not been realized yet in the Nepalese society. For achieving social inclusion, interethnic ties i.e. social ties among ethnic groups, is imperative. 3. Social Welfare Council (SWC) has registered NGOs in ten thematic areas and the highest numbers of NGOs have been registered in community and rural development (16953) which is followed by the thematic areas of youth services (4022) and women services (2164). 4. Women are principally the major victim of social exclusion in Nepal. Moreover the women from marginalized communities have been highly discriminated leaving them in seriously deprived state. The programs of social inclusion should begin with prioritizing women from marginalized communities such as Dalits, Madhesi and Adibasi/Janajati groups. 5. Local NGOs can be highly effective in rendering programs for social inclusion. It is imperative to augment the strength of local NGOs by recognizing and promoting their activities by the state and donors. 4 6. NGOs working for social inclusion issues need to enhance transparency about their composition, functions, target groups and areas. 7. Social inclusion programs need high budget agenda of the state. Similarly, donor communities need to invest more on this key area of development. 8. Social exclusion should be motivated through strict laws and regulation with their faithful implementation. The Constituent Assembly should enumerate issues of social inclusion in the new Constitution of Nepal to be well addressed. 9. Nepal Government must have supportive legal, fiscal, and regulatory frameworks for the capacity building of NGOs working on issues of social inclusion. Policy Recommendations Cross cutting social ties: Social inclusion will never be possible unless inter-ethnic ties i.e. social ties among ethnic /caste groups become possible. This possibility is plausible though intensive engagement of various stakeholders will be required. Many communityled programs in Nepal such as community forestry, community electricity user groups, and financial groups, have been successful to unite diverse ethnic groups by meeting their interests. Social ties may increase by allocating ownerships to users belonging to various ethnic/caste groups. NGOs can act as a platform to help augment cross cutting ties and play key role in advocating the equal distribution of ownership among ethnic groups. Prioritizing Social Inclusion independently: Social exclusion has long been related as effect or result of many issues notably poverty. This has to be changed. Even if social exclusion has cross cutting relation with many social phenomena, it has to be prioritized independently. For instance, many policies and plans in developing countries read like reducing poverty will lower social exclusion. There are cases when this human cognition has been successful in enhancing the process of social exclusion simply because it is deeply rooted and the product of culture or social beliefs. Political Stability: Political instability can interrupt any developmental activity. Social inclusion has been a political agenda and it essentially will not be successful without political stability. A properly functional state is the characteristics of political stability. Political instability at the same time hinders NGOs effective functionality and renders their activities to a great deal. NGOs on the other hand should act as a coalition force to pressurize political parties for political stability. Prioritizing Women: Women are the major victims of social exclusion in Nepal. Moreover the women from marginalized communities have been highly discriminated leaving them in seriously deprived state. The programs of social inclusion should begin with prioritizing women from marginalized communities. NGOs Involvement Expanded at Local Levels: Experience has shown that more inclusive policymaking produces effective laws and regulations with greater public support. Nevertheless, NGOs in Nepal are taking part in the preparation of key policies, legislation, and corresponding regulations. But it is largely limited and centralized. NGOs involvement in deliberations on national policies and laws, particularly on issues of social inclusion should be expanded at local level. NGOs should be included even in policy reform deliberations between Nepal Government and international financial institutions/donors on issues of social inclusion. NGOs should be sufficiently informed about the aims of specific policy reforms and the likely impact on stakeholder groups. Need to Enhance Transparency in NGOs: NGOs working for social inclusion issues need to enhance transparency about their composition, functions, target groups and 5 areas so that sufficient information and understanding might be available to the stakeholders. NGOs information activities include its web site, publications, press releases, a network of depository libraries, videos and other awareness raising methods. Transparency in NGOs helps Nepal Government/ Donors to identify the most appropriate potential partner NGOs working in the field of social inclusion. Need to Strengthen Capacities of NGOs: Many local NGOs have already shown their capacities in addressing key issues of the local people, including social inclusion. These NGOs focus specific issues on the local population and are also more accepted by the local population. It then becomes much easier for local NGOs compared to national or regional NGOs for being able to achieve their goals. It therefore is imperative to augment the strength of local NGOs by recognizing and promoting their activities by the state and donors. Local NGOs can be highly effective in rendering social exclusion. Nepal Government has devoted insufficient attention and resources to collaborating with NGOs as full development partners. Most NGOs lack adequate human and financial resources to actively work for social inclusion issues. NGOs, and particularly local NGOs, have inadequate financial resources for staffing, development and implementation of projects and programs and networking. The lack of trust between government and NGOs, and insufficient effort to communicate, often leads to confrontation rather than cooperation, and limits an effective NGO contribution to national development efforts. Therefore, Nepal Government must have supportive legal, fiscal, and regulatory frameworks for the capacity building of NGOs working on issues of social inclusion. Budget allocation: The priority of the policy and plans of state is evidently known from the allocated budget for achieving them. Social inclusion has not yet been high budget agenda of the state. The state should realize that social inclusion is a great harbinger of well-being in society. It therefore should be able to allocate comprehensive budget to promote and establish social inclusion. This at the same time will also entice donor communities to invest more on this key area of development. Law and order: Social exclusion could be reduced through strict laws and regulation. NGOs can play a great role in making people aware of these law and regulation. This could be a good example of coordination among government and NGOs to ensure eradication of social exclusion from the society.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 10:44:00 +0000
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