United Nations In UN News Insight

MAY-JUN 2017 | Vol. 64 UN.INFO.NP | kathmandu.unic.org | UN.ORG.NP

President of Nepal addresses ILO’s International Labour Conference’s World of Work Summit

Speech by Her Excellency Ms Bidya Devi Bhandari, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. 106th Session of the International Labour Conference. Geneva, 15 June 2017.

Photo :copyright: Crozet / Pouteau

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United Nations In Nepal UN News Insight

MAY-JUN 2017 | Vol. 63 UN.INFO.NP | kathmandu.unic.org | UN.ORG.NP

President of Nepal addresses ILO’s From RC’s Desk International Labour Conference’s World of Work Summit

The interconnectedness of environmental conservation, resilience and development

One of the things that struck me when I moved to Nepal was its incredible and tremendous geographic and bio- diversity; yet, Nepal’s territory represents only 0.1% of land area on a global scale. In this tiny country, the climate ranges from a tropical forest to the forbidding cold in the Himalayan Mountain Range, and all the other eco systems in between. This unique ILC 2017 Official visits of the Presidents of Malta, Nepal and Mauritius. 106th Session geographic position and variations in of the International Labour Conference, Geneva, 15 June 2017. (From left) Her altitude and climate have made Nepal Excellency Ms Bidya Devi Bhandari President of Nepal. Her Excellency Ms Ameenah one of the storehouses of biological Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius. Her Excellency Ms Marie-Louise diversity in the world. This rare mixture Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic of Malta. of ecological systems is as diverse as the Photo © Crozet / Pouteau people of Nepal. Nepal’s economic development and GENEVA, 15 JUNE 2017 — population well-being are closely bound to natural resources (agriculture land, he Right Honourable President, time that a Head of State of Nepal was wetlands, forests and protected areas). Ms Bidya Devi Bhandari invited to address the Summit. Around 70 per cent of Nepal’s accepted the invitation of the Addressing the World of Work Summit, population depends upon agriculture ILO Director General (DG) Mr the Rt. Hon’ble President said that and therefore, even the slightest TGuy Ryder and addressed the World of societies cannot prosper under changes in environmental conditions can Work Summit: A better future for women conditions of gender discrimination and have a devastating impact on their lives at work, which is an integral part of the inequality. She further elucidated, “It’s a and livelihoods of the people. This ILO’s 106th Session of the International fact that without political, economic, underscores the need for special efforts Labour Conference (ILC) on 15 June 2017 social and cultural empowerment of to promote environment-friendly, risk- in Geneva, Switzerland. This is the first women, we cannot imagine the sensitive and disaster-resilient

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establishment of an equal, just and peaceful brings together governments', workers' and development. society.” employer's delegates of the ILO member States. As part of the ILO’s Governing body, Conservation work and efforts in Nepal During the Summit, the Rt. Hon’ble Nepal will be a member of the executive are commendable. The country has President discussed the situation of women body that takes decisions on ILO policy, the committed to several acts and in the labour market. The Rt. Hon’ble agenda of the ILC, adopts the draft regulations related to its forests, President was joined by the Presidents of Programme and Budget of the Organization protected areas, watersheds, the Malta and Mauritius. The three women for submission to the Conference, and environment, wildlife and live-stock, and Presidents, rejoined the arguments of the elects the Director-General. these efforts have yielded promising head of the ILO and called on the global rewards. Nepal is now one of the top 20 community to take urgent action on gender This year’s ILC discussed themes including countries in the world for the equality. labour migration, fundamental principles percentage of its surface area that is and rights at work, and application of The World of Work Summit discussed a protected. The forest cover has been conventions and recommendations. In an better future for women at work. With increasing at an annual rate of 0.27 per interview with the Rising Nepal, the gender gaps remaining one of the most cent over the past 20-years, after being Director for ILO Nepal, Richard Howard, pressing challenges facing labour markets, severely impacted by deforestation and shared, “The conference was very relevant the Summit was dedicated to discussing soil erosion. This has had a ripple effect to Nepal, especially to understand how how to shape a better future for women at on wild life such as leopards and deer, global warming is affecting livelihoods and work. The ILO includes Women at Work as who are returning to their natural the environmental impact on issues like one of its centenary initiatives, providing an habitat. There has also been a decrease migration, trafficking and child labour. important opportunity to examine and in Nepal’s emission of greenhouse gases Environmental changes force people into reflect upon the obstacles to decent work and carbon dioxide. In addition, the dangerous situations. In terms of for women, and what is needed to community-based approach to environmental production/ green overcome such obstacles. This reflection is management of forests and agro- production too, here are more essential to achieve the United Nations biological resources have positively opportunities that can be tapped into.” The Agenda for Sustainable Development, with contributed to poverty alleviation. overarching theme of this year’s conference decent work and gender equality at its core. was the environment. The annual The recognition that sound A recently released report entitled World Conference looked into how every aspect of environmental management goes hand- Employment and Social Outlook: Trends for development, whether it be economic or in-hand with sustainable economic Women 2017, finds that reducing gender growth is reflected in the Sustainable social, impacted the environment. gaps would significantly benefit women, Development Goals, which notes that society and the economy. Furthermore, The issue of labour migration was also a building the resilience of communities closing the gender gaps by 25 per cent by recurrent theme, with fair recruitment as a and nations is fundamental to achieving 2025 could add US$ 5.8 trillion to the global core focus. The ILO has been continuing its the goals and succeeding in attaining economy and boost tax revenue. efforts to ensure that migration is free, fair development that will not harm the and safe. An additional need that was The Summit was part of the ILO’s Women at living condition of generations to come. discussed was the effective implementation Work Initiative, one of the Organization’s of labour standards. Whilst we celebrate these achievements, seven centenary initiatives, intended to we cannot forget that climate change is shape a future that works for all. Both The Conference started from 5 to 16 June happening and Nepal continues to face decent work and gender equality are at the 2017, in Geneva, Switzerland and closed challenges with degradation, alteration heart of the 2030 Sustainable Development following two weeks of deliberations by of natural habitats, threat to wildlife, Agenda and are closely linked. Decent work government, employer and worker dramatic air pollution, amongst other for women brings decent work for all. delegates from the ILO’s 187 member states issues. We therefore must remain on key world of work issues, including the This year, ILO members elected Nepal as a vigilant in our efforts to protect this promotion of peace and stability in Deputy member of its Governing Body beautiful landscape that is home to the countries emerging from conflict, government group for the period 2017- highest mountain in the world. This strengthening labour migration governance 2020. In a 50-year development partnership year’s World Environment Day theme and greening the economy. between Nepal and the ILO, this is the first reminds us that it is important for time that the government has been elected A record 6,000 accredited delegates from people to connect with nature, to in the Governing Body. 187 ILO member States attended the appreciate its beauty and its importance. Conference. We all call this planet our home; and as The Governing Body is the Executive Body we only have one home, we need to do of the ILO. The elections took place during ***** everything we can to protect it. the annual International Labour Conference (ILC), on 12 June 2017, in Switzerland and 3 | UN IN NEPAL | MAY-JUN 2016 | UN.INFO.NP

Nepal: Standing With Refugees By Kevin J. Allen, Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Nepal

y the time you finish reading this General Assembly on 19 September 2016. Zealand, Denmark, sentence, someone on the During the Summit, 193 States, including Norway, the United planet will be forced to flee his Nepal, adopted the historic New York Kingdom and the or her home due to persecution, Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, Netherlands. Bhuman rights violations or war. In 2016, an which re-affirmed the commitment of The large-scale resettlement programme average of 20 persons were forcibly States to international protection principles, was designed to share international displaced every minute. And as I write this and their solidarity with those who are responsibilities with Nepal and facilitate editorial, over 65.6 million people are forced to flee. better lives for those refugees who were forcibly displaced globally — the highest Notably, the 2016 New York Declaration relocated. But it was also intended to open figure since World War II, and roughly emphasised that developing countries like the doors to alternative solutions. equivalent to the population of the United Nepal cannot be expected to independently Kingdom or Thailand. address refugee situations, as 84% of the The figures are shocking, but often morph world’s refugees are located in developing We are at a crossroads in into abstraction as we go about our busy countries. It is imperative that more days. When we stop and reflect — aided developed countries share the collective Nepal, with the chance to perhaps by television images of conflict and responsibilities of States under the finally achieve durable brutality — we remember that these international refugee protection regime numbers represent human suffering, that emerged after World War II. solutions for every refugee. unthinkable loss and tears. The numbers In Nepal, long before the New York also represent the courage and resilience of Declaration was adopted, UNHCR, the Unlike much of the world, we can take tens of millions of refugees who have international community and the solace in knowing that the refugee overcome adversity and now contribute to Government of Nepal have adhered to this population in Nepal has dramatically the countries and societies which gave ethos of shared responsibility and decreased in recent years, not increased. By them asylum. international solidarity — first in the way of example, the Bhutanese refugee It is in this spirit that we celebrate World context of Tibetan refugees who arrived in population in Nepal, which once peaked at Refugee Day every year on June 20th, the late 1950s, then in the context of 120,000 persons, is now fewer than 10,000 paying homage to the courage and Bhutanese refugees who sought asylum in persons. resilience of millions of people — people Nepal in the early 1990s, and more recently As wars rage on across the globe and record just like us — who were forced to flee for with small numbers of newly arrived numbers of people are displaced, we must their lives. We also re-affirm our refugees from diverse countries who reside work to achieve peace — the only real commitment to stand with refugees, and to in Kathmandu. durable solution for refugees, and the address the challenges that threaten Nepal has a proud tradition of providing raison d'être of the United Nations and its refugee protection. asylum to refugees, rooted in its diverse 1945 Charter. The world has observed 3 straight years of cultures and peoples who, collectively, have Fortunately, there is no indication that record displacement, fueled by demonstrated remarkable hospitality and ongoing conflicts will produce large humanitarian crises in places like Syria, Iraq, goodwill. Nepal should be roundly numbers of new refugees in Nepal. And Yemen and South Sudan. The UN Refugee applauded for the asylum it has provided thus, with the conclusion of the large-scale Agency (UNHCR) and international and continues to provide to refugees, resettlement programme in Nepal in 2016, community face unprecedented challenges notwithstanding its own challenges over the a small refugee population remains which as humanitarian budgets are stretched, and years. presents a unique opportunity. Indeed, we countries of first asylum are overwhelmed. At the same time, the support of the are at a crossroads in Nepal, with the At the same time, UNHCR is working closely international community in Nepal has been chance to finally achieve durable solutions with States to help address their legitimate exceptional, as demonstrated by decades of for every refugee, cementing Nepal’s legacy national security concerns, while ensuring refugee funding and one of the world’s as a champion of refugee protection and, in that refugees have access to asylum. most successful third-country resettlement the spirit of the New York Declaration, Facing these challenges, the first-ever UN programmes. Since 2007, almost 110,000 serving as an example to the world of Summit on Addressing Large Movements of refugees in Nepal have been resettled to international solidarity fully realised. Refugees and Migrants was held at the UN the United States, Canada, Australia, New

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Day 1 of the Focus Group Discussion with Consultative Workshop on Retail the officials of Commercial Banks of Nepal and Digital Payments Photo Courtesy: UNCDF-MM4P

30 May- 1 June, Kathmandu — payments but Nepal as a whole to serve the main purpose of digital finance which is “financial • Reduce barriers for retail payment A three day workshop was conducted under inclusion for all”. service and other retail financial aegis of Nepal Rastra Bank, that saw services The second day of the workshop hosted the participation from mainstream financial non-bank Payment Service Providers. The institutions, non-bank payment service • Levelled playing field and flexibility in main theme of discussion for Day 2 was the providers, infrastructure actors and the market to promote innovation need of more lenient and liberal policies government ministries and regulators. The • Effective, yet proportionate approach and regulations from the central bank to workshop was undertaken to discuss and to consumer protection providers of Nepal. One of the participants share on the status of retail payments expressed his thought on the current adoption in particular with respect to digital • Sustained rapid growth and large scale scenario by saying, “Fast pace regulations payments and the gap that persists in the volumes . around DFS in Nepal, would help companies market across various dimensions like Day 1 of the Focus Group Discussion with like us to forge and foray into the digital customer, provider, infrastructure, and on the officials of Commercial Banks of Nepal revolution that the financial sector of Nepal policy front. Photo Courtesy: UNCDF-MM4P is susceptible to.” This workshop lead by Nepal Rastra Bank The first day of the consultative workshop Day 3 of the workshop, saw regulators and and facilitated by UNCDF-MM4P, was had participants from Commercial Banks of government ministries that included the anchored to support a larger objective of Nepal and other Banking Institutions such Nepal Rastra Bank, Nepal Telecom NRB around Payments Systems. With the as development banks who spoke about Authority, and Ministry of Finance among setting-up of payments system department their support and inclination towards digital other. The main theme of the final session at NRB, the central bank is spearheading financial services. From the first round of was to address the queries raised by the process of development of National discussions, it was clear that despite having commercial banks and providers regarding Retail Payment Strategy (NRPS) to guide its a positive view on digital financial services the policies and regulations that at times internal policy making objective and as a and activating mobile banking platforms, a inhibit the scalability and scope of DFS. The communication tool for the external certain segment of customers (mainly officials addressed the matter by saying that audience to provide a glimpse of the policy customers who belonged to rural region the respective organizations are focused on priorities of NRB. The strategy would set out and who are above the age of 45) are still aligning their internal strategies to enhance with a vision statement that the NRB as the reluctant to use these services majorly due the out-reach of DFS in Nepal through custodian of payments systems in Nepal to unwillingness to change from cash to introduction of refined policies that would could aim to achieve over next few years. digital. There was a strong consensus from pave way for banking and other agencies to This strategy aims NRB to address the bankers to work cohesively into addressing deliver digital financial services at a simpler following outcomes over time: these challenges and working towards but a much larger scale. • Should promote the development of building a digital system which is not only secure, healthy, and efficient system of for the young, well-educated urban Nepal 5 | UN IN NEPAL | MAY-JUN 2016 | UN.INFO.NP

In mist, rose a paper mill Lokta paper in a factory. Photo: UNDP

oorna Bahadur Gurung found his Kathmandu with a friend who produced centimeters from the ground. calling in crafting the coveted paper from the lokta plant, called “daphne” Lokta bushes grow in coniferous forests on lokta paper in a factory he in English. “I used to run a restaurant in mountain slopes, at an altitude between established in scenic Ghandruk, Kathmandu in the mid-90s, when a friend 1,600 and 4,000 meters. The harvesting Pand credits support from the Alternative took me to his showroom in Thamel,” he season begins in mid-February. Early in the Energy Promotion Centre as having been recalls. He found out that the area under morning, half a dozen of Gurung’s vital in upgrading production and raising the Annapurna Conservation Area Project employees, migrant workers from efficiency (ACAP) was rich in daphne, a high-elevation Sindhupalchok district, walk up to 2,000 evergreen shrub, and decided to try his The jingle of bells worn by mules carrying meters up hill, where the bushes are in hand at making paper from the plant loads of consumer goods for hamlets high abundance. Gurung pays the workers five himself. up echoes through the mist-covered trail, rupees for each kilogram of the raw the chautaro (resting platform) beckons you In 2002, he set up a factory in the family material and the ACAP charges another five. for a hard-earned rest after the hike uphill, field called Bikase Danda, which was lying The workers cut the stem at the ground and there are framed sheets of lokta fallow. He invested roughly Rs.400,000 in level without destroying the roots, a paperdrying in the sun, giving the place an the construction, making walls and paving practice that’s key for the survival of the idyllic air. the trails with stones. species. The raw material, the fibrous bark, Welcome to Annapurna Lokta and But it didn’t come without challenges. He is stored in a shed. Some of it is dried in the Handicraft Factory, nestled among the had to assure conservationists that his sun. mountains overlooking the Modi River in factory would not harm the flora and fauna After the bark is cleaned with a knife, it is Ghandruk village in Kaski in western Nepal. of the area. Since the forest with lokta soaked in water for about five hours. Then, bushes fell under the ACAP, the protected The postcard-perfect landscape could it is cooked in a solution of hot water and area officials ordered Gurung to carry out inspire anyone to be a poet. If you were soda for three hours. A beater machine an independent research on the product. one, Poorna Bahadur Gurung, the turns the fiber into pulp slurry, which is He commissioned a report, which took gregarious owner of the factory, could very then poured into wooden frames. After a three months to complete. It was titled well offer you a few sheets of lokta paper to few minutes of soaking and shaking in the Harvesting Strategies for Daphne Species in jot down your verses on. vat, the frame is placed under the sun to Ghandruk Sector of ACAP and cost Gurung dry. Gurung had been inspired to start the Rs.150,000. The ACAP finally allowed him to business following a conversation in harvest the plant, but only above 30 An hour later, the lokta paper is ready. The

6 | UN IN NEPAL | MAY-JUN 2017 | UN.INFO.NP material is sought after not only because it production and therefore the net profit,” he is enough to support her family of three, is handmade and represents the says. including her children’s education. “We preservation of a traditional craft, but also used to work the field and it was very hard In the tourist region of Ghandruk, relatively because it is durable, resistant to insects to survive with what we earned. This is far better off compared to other villages and moths, and non-perishable. It is for this better,” she says. around Nepal, it’s hard to find workers. reason that for centuries, lokta paper been Gurung relies on migrant workers from The AEPC, under the Ministry of Population used for record-keeping in government Sindhupalchowk for harvesting the raw and Environment, is supported by UNDP offices across Nepal. It’s also common for material. Additionally, a group of Dalit through the Renewable Energy for Rural Hindu astrologers to use it to create china women, most of them single mothers, has Livelihood (RERL) project--a joint or janma kundalis, astrological charts for proved a workforce that is reliable. Apart undertaking of the Government of Nepal, individuals. from five porters for collecting raw UNDP and the Global Environmental Facility Nowadays, however, the paper used for a materials, Gurung has hired five single (GEF). The programme seeks to increase variety of purposes, including prayer flags, women and a man from the Dalit equitable access to energy services, with a restaurant menus, wallpapers, certificates community. focus on enhancing rural livelihoods. for schools and colleges, wedding cards and Among them is Sita Bishwakarma, who has for binding books, among others. For now, proven to be a reliable hand, often Annapurna Lokta only produces paper that overseeing the production in Gurung’s weighs five grams at a price of about Rs. 7 absence. Bishwakarma, who earns a per piece. “For a certificate or a wedding monthly salary of Rs. 7,000, says the money card, we need to produce a 40-80 gram paper. They must be thicker,” he says.

For years, Gurung had used firewood to boil the raw material. It was not only cumbersome, but also detrimental to the environment. “It was expensive in many ways. I had to spend Rs. 2,000 on firewood, which needed to be chopped into smaller pieces. I had to hire a man for that. And while cooking, one had to constantly blow air into the hearth,” he recalls.

But those labor-intensive jobs have now become history, thanks to support from the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC). On March 23, 2016, Gurung bought a beater machine and an electric lokta boiler, which was locally fabricated with the AEPC’s funding. He received Rs. 78,750 as subsidy from the AEPC. And, the factory was electrified by the 50-kilowatt Bhurgyu Khola Micro Hydropower, which started generating electricity three years ago.

While the installation of the electric boiler and beater machine has made the work more efficient, Gurung is exploring ways to fund a drying room, so he doesn’t have to halt production during the monsoon, from June to September, when the rains make drying lokta paper virtually impossible, and his workers have to be temporarily laid off. “If the AEPC would help me explore suitable technology for drying, I could not only retain my staff but also increase my 7 | UN IN NEPAL | MAY-JUN 2016 | UN.INFO.NP

Jit Rai, 78 years, explains about the Kirant Rai tradition. Photo: UNESCO

engagement in group work and field exercises.

Bhim Nepal observed that the level of participants' understanding was high compared to the past four workshops.

“Focusing on one particular community and having a common language helps; in future initiatives we shall focus on one community or language group rather than mixing different groups together in order to shape efforts according to their needs,” Nepal said.

"The young Kirant Rai participants' Eastern Nepal: Kirant Rai enthusiasm to make every effort of this learnings to save their living traditions Community ready to prepare their before they disappear is commendable. I believe that the Ministry of Culture will continue engaging such community youths intangible culture inventory and trained human resources in state’s obligation to prepare the national ICH We were given a fishing net and we and of the need of safeguarding their inventory and safeguarding plans, making were taught how to catch fish. This heritage. Nepal’s ICH eligible for nomination onto the is our heritage, now, we don’t Encouraging participants to actively engage UNESCO ICH List” said Nipuna Shrestha expect others to fish for us.” Salina in the workshop, Mr Bharat Mani Subedi, from UNESCO. “Rai, from the Khotang district, is one of the Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Resident of Chasmitat, Khotang, Tulsi participants from Eastern Nepal who said, "It is the responsibility of each and Khambu Tilung spent 12 years trying to seek learned how to identify and safeguard their every community to prepare cultural Kirant identity, ultimately, he found the intangible cultural heritage at community inventoryies and safeguard their own right methodology in this workshop. level. intangible heritage. UNESCO and the Similarly, Hari Kumar Nachhhiring (Raka The five-day capacity building workshop Ministry of Culture are here to facilitate this Bangel), Kaji Kumar Rai (Sungdel) and titled “Community-based Identification, important process.” Taman Rai, former Executive Director, Inventorying and Developing Safeguarding The workshop was facilitated by Mr Bhim Halesi Temple Development Committee Plans of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Nepal and Prof. Dr Prem Khatry as well as were quite optimistic. “Now we can Kirant Rai Community of Eastern Nepal” local experts – Mr Jay Kumar Rai, Dr Bhakta safeguard our fast disappearing living was successfully completed on 26 May 2017 Rai and Dr Taramani Rai. traditions such as cotton production and in Halesi, Khotang. The objective of the associated weaving traditions of Kirant Rai "Despite the uncertain power supply, a workshop was to prepare both older and and allobased fabric producing skills from small hall with insufficient natural light and new Kirat Rai generations to work together the knowledge gained here”, they the short duration of the workshop, for the preparation of a nationally required expressed. inventory of the community’s living participants actively engaged in this Immediately after the event, Som Bahadur traditions. important discussion about intangible heritage. Overall, the workshop was a great Dhimal and Duryodhan Basnet, two field The programme, jointly organized by success,” expressed Dr Bhakta Rai. facilitators trained in previous workshops UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture, identified by the Ministry of Culture and The training introduced key concepts Tourism and Civil Aviation, was attended by UNESCO, were sent to prepare ICH related to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for 31 participants from four districts- Khotang, inventory in four districts - Khotang, the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Okhaldhunga, Udayapur and Solukhumbu. Udaypur, Okhaldhunga and Solukhumbu - Heritage, and imparted knowledge and Participants represented 12 distinct along with community participants. A copy skills required for community-based language groups within the culturally rich of the inventory will be sent to UNESCO, the inventorying and safeguarding ICH through Kirant Rai Community. The majority of Ministry of Culture and the Kirant theoretical classes, participants’ interactive them were young, aware of their culture, Community. 8 | UN IN NEPAL | MAY-JUN 2017 | UN.INFO.NP

Her views were echoed by other girl players. Maya Nepali (15) says, “Just like coaches, linesmen, players, organizers and audience are required for any volleyball match, parents, leaders, government officers, teachers, youth and girls should come together to end child marriage.” She was a member of the winning team — Saptarangi Girls' Circle — from . The other three teams were from Khungrri, , and Liwang.

The first winner (Saptarangi), second (Laliguras Girls’ Circle) and third (Unnati Girls’ Circle) received medals and certificates. The fourth team (Libang Girls’ Khuma Sunar trekked three hours from her village to reach the district headquarters Circle) was provided with a consolation and play a game, previously dominated by boys. prize. At least 300 people, including top government officials, local political leaders, Photo: UNFPA young people and representatives of civil society organizations watched the Rolpa girls play volleyball against tournament live. Dr Dijan Bhattarai, Chief District Officer, was the chief guest of the event chaired by Mr. Sushil Baidhya, Local child marriage Development Officer.

LIBANG, ROLPA — Circle in her village Khumel, is slowly Girls in Rolpa face a wide range of changing traditional notions about challenges, including entrenched gender huma Sunar trekked three hours volleyball in her village. “Many people in my discrimination, high rates of adolescent from her village to reach Libang, village would think volleyball is a boys’ pregnancy and harmful practices such as the district headquarters, and sports. But such perception is changing child marriage. It is estimated that as many play a game that was previously now,” she says. as 73.8 % of girls in Rolpa get married Kdominated by boys in this part of the mid- between the ages of 10 to 19. The national western hills of Nepal. Thanks to 32 average is 41%. A violation of human rights, adolescent players like her, girls in Rolpa The District Coordination Committee (DCC) child marriage robs adolescent girls of their have set a good example to others that they in partnership with the Women and childhood. Those who are married off early can also play volleyball and raise their Children Office (WCO) and the United are too often forced to drop out of schools, voices against child marriage through Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), bear children before they are ready and sports. organized the tournament under the Global subjected to violence and abuse. Programme to End Child Marriage. “To Khuma Sunar trekked three hours from her The Global Programme on Ending Child advocate against harmful practices like child village to reach the district headquarters Marriage, funded by the European marriage, sports is an effective medium as it and play a game, previously dominated by Commission and the UK, aims at preventing brings all stakeholders into a common boys. this harmful practice and empowering girls platform for a good cause,” says Rupa in 12 countries, including Nepal, around the The 15-year-old was one out of 32 players Gharti Magar (15), who also walked for world. In Nepal, it directly supports the representing four different girls’ groups three hours to take part in the tournament. 2016 National Strategy to End Child who took part in the friendly volleyball “I don’t mind walking hours to play Marriage through UNFPA and UNICEF. tournament in Liwang on 14 June. The volleyball or other sports as I want to prove UNFPA is working closely with the DCC and tournament was organized to raise that girls can also play volleyball on an WCO in Rolpa with a special focus in areas awareness about child marriage and the equal footing to boys.” such as Khungrri, Khumel, Kotgaun, Liwang, importance of educating girls. The group Maya Nepali (15), a member of the winning Dubring, Dubindanda, Rangkot and Rangsi. she represents, known as Laliguras Girls’ team.

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UN-Habitat comes together with Dutch Kadaster in application of GLTN tools to support post-earthquake land tenure and management

Interaction with informal tenure holders at Bhimeshwor Ward No 4

Photo : UN-HABITAT

anymore and already got the first installment of housing grant for housing but not safer land to construct. Some 220 HHs of two settlements near Jilu of Bhimeshwor Ward No 5 have their houses completely destroyed. They have their land and title of haphazard shapes and sizes and although they have already received the first installment of housing grant for housing they are waiting for support in a land pooling project to develop two small integrated settlements. In Bhimeshwor Ward No 4, some 734 HHs of mostly Thami Preliminary estimate shows that some 475 promulgation of the new Constitution in and Gurung indigenous and other dalit settlements were feared vulnerable due to Nepal, with the state restructuring land communities are landless having their land slide and other hazards post 2015 administration and land management houses in the land having title in the name earthquake. While NRA is undertaking functions are proposed to be fully of their landlords. Most of them are share- scientific investigation to confirm which of restructured. As such land tenure and land croppers paying 50% of the crop to the them could be safe and which others management interventions post- landlord without a formal receipt. With the needed to be really relocated undertaking earthquake should support in a broader revised grant support guidelines of NRA, pilot projects to start with relocation of land policy interventions post-Constitution. some 3/4th of the HHs are now listed as identified settlements has become urgent. eligible grant recipients but security of land UN-Habitat Nepal team together with a While whole of the villages are completely itself for housing and a title document to team of Dutch Kadaster www.kadaster.nl destroyed in many districts, this is also an obtain building permit from the recently visited three potential pilot project opportunity to ‘Build Back Better’- building municipality will be a problem. sites relating to relocation, integrated planned integrated settlements where settlements and informal land tenure issues Participatory mapping, Social Tenure possible. The other very pertinent issue and made interactions with the locals and Domain Model (STDM) and Fit For Purpose hindering construction of housing is the also with the government and non- Land Administration are potential technical land tenure issue where the houses of poor government agencies in the district as well tools to address such situation. Global Land and vulnerable were standing in land with as in Kathmandu. The sites were in the Tool Network (GLTN) recognizes that we informal tenure either in government or country side of Bhimeshwor Municipality need to devise out-of-the box solutions in public land or with unregistered tenancy in Ward No 4 and 5 and adjoining Ward No 2 such situations which are less complex, the land registered in the name of landlord. of Suspa Chhemawati VDC in Dolakha inexpensive, and scalable and also allow for Relocation of housing from vulnerable district. The village of Boshimapa inhabited incremental improvements. UNHabitat and locations, developing integrated by Thami indigenous people in Suspa Dutch Kadaster as GLTN partners will come settlements and addressing to the security Chhemawati was confirmed vulnerable due together to implement these tools in the of informal tenures have thus been to landslide and some 85 HHs are three pilot areas and to provide example to identified as three major issues related to temporarily relocated to Pani Pokhari of the concerned stakeholders in Nepal to land tenure and land management post- same VDC. Most of them have title of the implement Fit For Purpose Land earthquake disaster in Nepal. After the land in Boshimpa where they cannot live Administration in Nepal.

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Envisioning a future that begins with food n the Mid and Far Western region the her age. Despite the difficulties, Soniya is a Soniya Shrestha in her drawing shows that Ministry of Education’s (MoE) Food for talented artist with big ambitions in her life when a child has a full stomach, they are Education Programme with the – she wants to become a doctor so that she not busy thinking about and can focus on support of United States Department can help others. bigger dreams. Iof Agriculture (USDA) and WFP, provides a “A girl is happy when she eats food so that mid-day meal to 270,000 children on a daily Photo : WFP/Santosh Shahi she can learn better. With my education I basis. want to become a doctor. A girl without improvement in intelligence and math tests Each year WFP invites school children in food cannot think as she is always hungry when compared with their peers who did countries with WFP school meals operations and can only think about what she will eat not receive school meals. to in an annual Global Children´s Design next.” Competition. This year, the theme was During the art exhibition, assistant District School kitchen gardens have been “Zero Hunger: Our Future Begins with Education Officer, Mr. Yadu Bikram Thapa, established within WFP’s pilot districts in Food”. Thirty school children across stressed the linkage between Zero Hunger Sindhupalchowk and Bardiya. They serve as Sindupalchowk were invited to participate and education. a complementary tool to learn about the in a two day workshop, organized by WFP in importance of nutrition for children, “A child can perform well when they do not collaboration with Gallery McCube, where parents and teachers, whilst increasing need to worry about what to eat. WFP’s they used their imagination to envision how student’s dietary diversity in supplementing School Meal programme aims to attain Zero a future with food would look like. school meals with fresh food produce. Hunger, enabling children to acquire good Soniya Shrestha is a fifth grader. Like most health and quality education.” Evidence demonstrate that school meals 11-year old girls she likes to play with her help boost performance and cognitive A selection of the best artwork has been friends and her little brother. However ability. One global review found that submitted to WFP’s headquarter in Rome, growing up in Sindupalchowk, she has children benefiting from school meals as the children in Nepal eagerly await for experienced more hardship and traumas programmes and adequate education the winner to be announced. Nevertheless since the earthquake than most other girls provision showed a 7-12 percentile for us, they are all champions. 11 | UN IN NEPAL | MAY-JUN 2016 | UN.INFO.NP

Yujin Kim (Center) with UN University From the eyes of Yujin, a UN Volunteers. Photo : UNIC University Volunteer in UNIC

n response to the increasing advocating United Nations, United Nations inspiring insights which would never have population using social media and Specialized Agencies work in Nepal and be been possible to get without first-hand becoming the major platform to part of the outreach events as well as experience. A Lovely home dinner with a disseminate information among the especially handle the social media contents. Nepali family, a glance of the Himalayas Iyouth worldwide, the United Nations has For this, the understanding of social media after a heavy rainfall without the notorious started to prioritize on digital media. It has channels, communication skills, and analysis dusty sky from the rooftop and magnificent also led to initiatives of every UN country knowledge for each outlet is needed to twinkle night view of Kathmandu Valley offices releasing their own activities effectively spread UN activities to with bulb lights of the houses which was reflecting their contributions to their stakeholders and the public. Those are the unseen just few months ago due to heavy respective audiences by managing social skills that I have brought from South Korea, power cuts in the valley surely motivates media channels independently in regards to a hectic digital leading country. However, me to dedicate on volunteering in UNIC local context. It is with these related on the other hands, it is impossible to Nepal to disseminate UN’s commitments of developments on media practices along manage social media channels without rebuilding Nepal better after the with my academic background on Media understanding and respecting Nepal’s local devastating earthquakes in 2015. Communications and my own interests in dynamics. Nepal inspires me and UN Volunteers international peace, advocacy, and Nepal Diverse and inspiring experiences outside inspire Nepal into action, just as its slogan. which led me becoming a United Nations the office has helped me understanding Nepal has been teaching me and motivating University Volunteer for UN Information Nepal better. Traveling in the country, me back as I am volunteering for Nepal. I Centre Nepal (UNIC) since the past four seeing things as they happen, meeting really appreciate every moment being in months and a half. people who have diverse cultural, this country and surely believe this As a UN Volunteer in Communications, my professional backgrounds and sharing experience will become a milestone of my main task in UNIC is dedicated to perspectives provides me fresh and life.

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Participating Cyclist at Patan Durbar Square. World Refugee Day celebration Photo : UNHCR

n Nepal, World Refugee Day was Khokana Village in the south of the In Damak, more than 3,000 people commemorated with a number of Kathmandu Valley. participated in a refugee fair, which took interesting activities both in the capital place at Beldangi Refugee Camp on

Kathmandu and the Bhutanese Tuesday, June 20, to celebrate solidarity Irefugee camp in eastern Nepal, with the From June 17 -20, a photo and art and shared bonds between local residents objective of increasing public understanding exhibition was held at the atrium of the and Bhutanese refugees. The fair illustrated of refugee issues and building support for Labim Mall, which had a daily foot prints of the daily contributions refugees make to refugees and work of UNHCR. over 2000 people on average. The exhibit host communities and included Nepalese featured some 30 drawings made by artist and Bhutanese food, handicrafts made by In the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, the Sujan Dangol which showed the situation of the refugees, cultural events and theatrical second annual ‘Ride for Refugees’ event refugees in Nepal. Dongol had worked on a performances. The fair was organized to was organized on Saturday, June 17, 2017. refugee project in collaboration with bring local communities and refugees More than 500 participants from various UNHCR during the recent Kathmandu together to celebrate the many bonds they walks of life, including government officials, Triennale art festival. His artworks were share, and the dreams to which they aspire. diplomats, refugees of diverse nationalities, inspired by his encounters with refugees in Refugees from Bhutan also felicitated two Miss Nepals, a large group of monks Kathmandu. Photos of UNHCR work in renowned two Nepali artists during the popularly known as ‘Kung-Fu Nuns’ and Nepal (Life of Bhutanese refugees, Tibetans, event. Representatives from government local residents of the Kathmandu Valley urban refugees, success stories of and partner agencies, refugees, local showed their solidarity with refugees during resettlement and refugees post-earthquake community leaders and journalists the 15- kilometre ride that started from the response) were also put on display. participated in the event. historic town of Patan Durbar Square to

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Women Drivers in UN Nepal

he 5th goal of the Sustainable field visits as she has to risk her life driving Development Goals - “Gender on dangerous roads. Ms. Sangeeta Ramjali Equality” strives to bring women and Ms. Maya Majhi who joined the UN into the limelight and promotes about a year ago also face the same Tadvancement of women. UN was one of the difficulties of driving on roads that have just first international agencies to hire women started to build in the most rural areas of drivers and has been encouraging them to Nepal. Driving on dangerous roads during become independent. field visits is the most dangerous obstacle that these women drivers or any other An interaction was done with five of the drivers face. Ms. Sangeeta also added that women drivers in the UN agencies in Nepal, Ms. Kamala Tamang being a woman she has faced many health- which revealed their experiences as a UN related issues but never let them come in driver. the way of her work. Other than these For a woman, starting and pursuing a career difficulties, Ms. Kamala said that the first in a patriarchal society with various two months of her work were not so “stereotypes” and “superstitions” that the pleasant because of a completely new society has been believing and following is working environment and people . not an easy task. There are various “Trust is the most important component in obstacles that women have gone through to any field”, stated Ms. Sangeeta who go against the typical stereotype of women believes that her senior's guidance and being limited to the four walls of the house. support is what helped her grow in her The women drivers who are currently field. Ms. Sharmila speaks for herself when working in the UN had started their careers Ms. Sharmila Rai she says that one should know how to grab at a time when there were only few cases of the opportunity and make the most of it women empowering themselves. Most of and encourages other women to make the them started their career to have a source most of what they get. She adds that there of income to sustain their living which was is a huge competition in every field and inspired by their interest in driving. Ms. hence, one should be able to build Babita Moktan who has been working in themselves through their own efforts. the UN for 7 years says that she was Learning is not easy and therefore, it is inspired by the women drivers who she important to give time and effort to used to see driving proudly and confidently enhance oneself, learn and move towards on the streets. Ms. Kamala Tamang has betterment. been working in the UN for 13 years and says that she started off her career as a UN's efforts to encourage women to Ms. Maya Majhi driver because she felt the need to empower themselves and build themselves empower herself and driving was the into becoming strong and independent has profession she was most interested in given opportunities to many women. It has doing. She says that to earn a living, it is created a path for them to grow and sustain important to train oneself and be capable to their life. Ms. Maya says that it is very work and so she trained herself through important to encourage women and create various mediums and in various fields to be awareness among them about able to stand proud as an empowered empowerment. She also emphasizes on woman. building quality over quantity which is more important. When asked about their experiences in the UN, all the interviewees had a very positive All the women drivers feel privileged to be response. Ms. Sharmila Rai who has been working in the UN and are satisfied and working in the UN for 15 years says that it Ms. Sangeea Ramjali happy with their work. UN in Nepal has an was difficult at first during her posting to impressive number of women workers who villages away from the capital at a new job half away from her family. She adds that have been an example of women in where she had to spend about a year and she still faces difficulties in driving during development and their advancement. 14 | UN IN NEPAL | MAY-JUN 2017 | UN.INFO.NP

UN publication review for 2017

N Digital Repository in Nepal The documents found in UNDRN gives all There are 7.22k documents about UN in (UNDRN) is an initiative for the sorts of information related to UN and Nepal. The most used thesaurus is Disaster, long-term preservation of the these works are reference materials which Prevention, Preparedness and Relief which UN in Nepal’s funds, is highly used by high school students alike. is used 1417 times. 858 publications are Uprogrammes and agencies’ Nepal-specific They can find the main subject and contents from UNDP followed by other agencies collective reports and documents into one that researchers seek through Thesaurus, contributing significant publications in UN portal and preserves it for institutional keywords and Hash tags. Digital Repository in Nepal (UNDRN). memory. UNDRN has the ability to UNDRN have preserved and given access to collaboratively collect, organize, preserve, all sorts of materials like report, documents, communicate, and share the overall UN press release, draft, etc. Accessibility, agencies’ digital content from one central — UN Agencies availability, and reuse are strong reasons to 23 portal. With its wider range of audience and use digital libraries for people who want to potential reference materials UNDRN is get information of UN in Nepal. Overall 23 UN Agencies in Nepal have working on a five-year plan. Content contributed their publications in UN Digital Development is its major activities. Repository in 2017 making large number of It provides information materials on publications in 822 publications are from peacekeeping, disarmament, human rights, 5000 — Active Users UNOCHA followed by other agencies international law; economic and social contributing significant publications in UN affairs, health, development, trade, Digital Repository in Nepal (UNDRN). With its 5k active users, UNDRN is reaching agriculture, environments, water, out especially to students, researchers, education, population, children, women academicians, government, and and other themes on the UN agenda. nongovernmental organizations of Nepal. 31540.Downloaded It procures research material — Annual There are 118 thematic groups that the Report, Press Release, Bulletin, Progress UNDRN is working in this year. Publications Report, Publication, draft, official cataloged by UN agencies, Thesaurus, Disaster Prevention, Preparedness and documents etc. It facilitates easy access and Publisher and Timeline of publications are Relief, Development, Food and Nutrition, discovery of research materials to students distinct features of full text search engine of Comprehensive Health Service, and researcher. the digital repository. Maintenance Peace and Security, Social Development are major seven social sectors It is helpful for easy access to high-quality covered till date. Till now, UNDRN has 5.11k content and provide information through users and 31.54k documents have been different publications and is also a key — Docs 7,200 downloaded so far. foundation for good learning. 15 | UN IN NEPAL | MAY-JUN 2016 | UN.INFO.NP

Kanchhi Maya Tamang summits at Mt. Everest.

Photo: Curtesy of Kanchhi Maya to the top of the world, stating 'We are People, not Property'. Every year, several thousand Nepali women and girls are trafficked and forced to work in dire circumstances. The latest national report on trafficking in persons released by national Human Rights Commission 2014-15 states that a total of 9,000 to 9,500 persons were attempted to traffic, and 8,000 to 8,500 were trafficked in each of the FYs 2013/14 and 2014/15.

"My mission has first and foremost been to stop forced migration of women and girls from my district, which is listed as the top district for trafficking of women and girls in Kanchhi Maya Tamang summits Mt. Nepal. I want to foster initiatives that create local employment opportunities and Everest for gender equality in sports and empower women, both those facing forced migration and returnees like myself. We empowerment of women migrant must empower girls—give them a rope, show them a rock, then ask them to climb and their Sherpa teammates reached the KATHMANDU, 24 MAY 2017 — it." summit. It was for the first time that anchhi Maya Tamang and her someone climbed the Everest for Gender Dr. Ganesh Gurung, member of UN Women team, led by Everest record Equality and Women's Empowerment. Nepal Civil Society Advisory Group, who holder Pemba Dorje Sherpa, supported Kanchhi Maya's mission, "For many Nepali women and girls, there is reached the 29,035-feet (8848 remarked: "Kanchhi Maya has proven to the an invisible Everest between their homes Kmetres) summit of the world's highest peak world and to Nepali society that women and the sports field. I have climbed Everest Saturday morning in her quest to seek new possess the capacity to reach any heights. to empower women who are climbing their possibilities for women's empowerment. She is a trendsetter who aspires to scale own mountains," Kanchhi said to well- new heights, to challenge discriminatory "My win is a win for all women and girls. wishers on her arrival at the Kathmandu social norms and step it up for Planet 50:50 And my mission is to contribute to a airport, reiterating her stance that there by 2030." discrimination-free Nepal where all girls and should be enough motivation from the women have freedom and an enabling family and community, and support from Kanchhi Maya Tamang summits MT Everest environment to realize their full human dads, brothers and husbands to involve for gender equality in sports and potential," Kanchhi Maya radioed from more women and girls into mountaineering empowerment of women migrant workers Mount Everest Base camp. and adventure sports. Date: 24 May 2017 Kathmandu, Nepal – Kanchhi Maya Tamang and her team, led by Shortly before she summited Everest, UN "Saturday was indeed a special day for all Everest record holder Pemba Dorje Sherpa, Women Executive Director Phumzile women as well as men, because it was the reached the 29,035-feet (8848 metres) Mlambo-Ngcuka announced in a tweet first time that someone climbed Everest for summit of the world's highest peak message," Thank you, Kanchhi Maya, for gender equality and women's Saturday morning in her quest to seek new taking UN Women on your quest to Mt. empowerment," said UN Women possibilities for women's empowerment. Everest! You're an inspiration to Nepal and Representative in Nepal, Wenny Kusuma. Photo: UN Women Nepal "My win is a win the world." "Kanchhi Maya, you have faced challenges for all women and girls. And my mission is during your climb to the top of the Everest, At 6:00 a.m. Nepal local time, after an 11- to contribute to a discrimination-free Nepal and we are with you as you try to find ways hour climb from Camp 4 on Everest's South where all girls and women have freedom to advance women's empowerment and Col route, Kanchhi Maya, 28, from and an enabling environment to realize gender equality," she added. Sindupalchowk district, together with their full human potential," Kanchhi Maya Pemba Dorje Sherpa, the fastest record Kanchhi Maya, herself a returnee migrant radioed from Mount Everest Base camp. climber to Everest from Dolakha district, worker took with her a powerful message Shortly before she summited Everest, UN 16 | UN IN NEPAL | MAY-JUN 2017 | UN.INFO.NP

Photo: UN Women Nepal "For many Nepali Video screening of Mt. Everest Summit. women and girls, there is an invisible Everest between their homes and the Photo: UNWOMEN sports field. I have climbed Everest to empower women who are climbing their persons released by national Human Rights own mountains," Kanchhi said to well- Commission 2014-15 states that a total of wishers on her arrival at the Kathmandu 9,000 to 9,500 persons were attempted to airport, reiterating her stance that there traffic, and 8,000 to 8,500 were trafficked in should be enough motivation from the each of the FYs 2013/14 and 2014/15. "My family and community, and support from mission has first and foremost been to stop Kanchhi Maya Tamang dads, brothers and husbands to involve forced migration of women and girls from Photo: UNWOMEN more women and girls into mountaineering my district, which is listed as the top district and adventure sports. "Saturday was indeed for trafficking of women and girls in Nepal. I a special day for all women as well as men, want to foster initiatives that create local Women Executive Director Phumzile because it was the first time that someone employment opportunities and empower Mlambo-Ngcuka announced in a tweet climbed Everest for gender equality and women, both those facing forced migration message," Thank you, Kanchhi Maya, for women's empowerment," said UN Women and returnees like myself. We must taking UN Women on your quest to Mt. Representative in Nepal, Wenny Kusuma. empower girls—give them a rope, show Everest! You're an inspiration to Nepal and "Kanchhi Maya, you have faced challenges them a rock, then ask them to climb it." Dr. the world." Photo: Curtesy of Kanchhi Maya during your climb to the top of the Everest, Ganesh Gurung, member of UN Women At 6:00 a.m. Nepal local time, after an 11- and we are with you as you try to find ways Nepal Civil Society Advisory Group, who hour climb from Camp 4 on Everest's South to advance women's empowerment and supported Kanchhi Maya's mission, Col route, Kanchhi Maya, 28, from gender equality," she added. Kanchhi Maya, remarked: "Kanchhi Maya has proven to the Sindupalchowk district, together with herself a returnee migrant worker took with world and to Nepali society that women Pemba Dorje Sherpa, the fastest record her a powerful message to the top of the possess the capacity to reach any heights. climber to Everest from Dolakha district, world, stating 'We are People, not She is a trendsetter who aspires to scale and their Sherpa teammates reached the Property'. Every year, several thousand new heights, to challenge discriminatory summit. It was for the first time that Nepali women and girls are trafficked and social norms and step it up for Planet 50:50 someone climbed the Everest for Gender forced to work in dire circumstances. The by 2030." Equality and Women's Empowerment. latest national report on trafficking in

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World Refugee Day celebration 2017

UNITED NATIONS https://www.facebook.com/unicktm INFORMATION CENTRE KATHMANDU UN House https://twitter.com/unickathmandu Pulchowk, Kathmandu, Nepal Phone: +977 (1) 5523200 Web: UN.INFO.NP https://www.youtube.com/unicktm E-mail: [email protected]

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