| Username |
Post |
| paramendra |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 02:23 PM
South Asia today in terms of gender relations can be compared to South Africa during the apartheid regime for race relations. Do you agree? Why? Why not?
http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/nepal.html
Wage political and legal struggles for women's rights. Abolish the following blatantly sexist laws and put in place those that are not:
Immediately after descending from the womb, a son shares equal rights with the father to the property owned by the family. To be able to do the same the daughter has to meditate upto the age of 35, unmarried! Even after that, should she decide to get married, her property thus acquired automatically goes to her brothers. If the brothers choose to partition the family property before their sister reaches that dangerous age of 35, she gets no share.
A married woman cannot claim for partition until she is 35 and has been part of the marriage for a minimum of 15 years. But first prove you are not being provided with food and lodging!
Even if you somehow manage to acquire property after the hurdles race fundamentally hostile to you, you have no right to manage it. A male head of the family may, at any time he wishes to and without consulting the wife, unwed daughter above the dangerous age of 35 if there is, or daughter-in-law, dispose the entire movable and upto half of the immovable property. A woman or unmarried daughter, on the other hand, needs the permission - the holy permission - of her son or father, before she may dispose more than half of her immovable property acquired through partition.
When the male head of the family dies, the grandson is favored over the daughter for the inheritance of family property.
Let your dear father alone, you may not inherit your dear mother's earnings either, if she happens to have any, that is. The father or your brothers are most probably still alive!
The daughter or daughter-in-law may not inherit the tenancy rights of her father's or father-in-law's land. What happens when there is no male in the family to inherit the tenancy rights? The legal system of this country has no answer.
Men may adopt children on whim. Women also may adopt children, but not if the husband is alive or there or there is a son from a co-wife.
The woman is covered from head to foot under the law on adultery. If it is proven the woman had slept with another man or if she even confesses to that effect in court, as many women are forced to do, the marriage legally terminates. Men? They are made up of some very different protein. Under certain conditions - if the first wife is barren, has an incurable communicable disease, or otherwise has physical "defects" - he can even have a second wife : permanent adultery under the same roof! If the first husband is sterile, impotent, disabled or suffering from an incurable disease, the woman cannot get a second husband for herself. If she is foolish enough to dare to do that, she gets imprisoned. The husband can choose to prosecute both the wife and the lover. Both can be punished. If the husband dies before or after conviction, the charges are dropped off the lover. He is released. He is a man. The wife does not get this favor done to her. She happens to be a woman.
Should a male Nepalese get himself a wife from another country, she is readily awarded with Nepal's citizenship. If a female Nepalese marries a male foreigner, he dare not ask for a citizenship card.
A married woman may not go for foreign travel without the written consent of her guardian. A married man, on the other hand, does not need such permission from his "guardian" or wife.
A Nepalese man's child is a citizen of Nepal, but a Nepalese woman's child fathered by a male from another country, has to live in Nepal for 15 years before he or she can claim to be a citizen of Nepal.
Premier Bhattarai's Outdated Views on Women's Rights in Nepal
by Paramendra Bhagat
November 28, 1999.
http://www.geocities.com/bhagat266/a/bhattarai112899.html
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| anepalikt |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 03:01 PM
Hmmmmm, where shall we begin?!
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| paramendra |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 03:15 PM
anepalikt: "....Hmmmmm, where shall we begin?!
Everywhere!
(1) I doubt you agree with any of the laws listed, so tell me how strongly you disagree with them? What kind of time frame do you think of? How long before these laws are repealed? How?
(2) What have been your personal experiences in sexism in Nepal, and among the Nepali men in the US?
(3) What changes do you think necessary/possible?
(4) Do you see any women political leaders in Nepal who might make some headway with these gender issues?
(5) How would you compare sexism in the West with the one in South Asia/Nepal?
(6) Talk of internalized sexism.
And much more.
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 03:35 PM
Paramendra: I wish more people reflected on these issues. I agree with you on most things, except for number 5 and I quote:
5. "how would you compare sexism in the West with the one in S.Asia/Nepal".
There is no grounds for comparisions here: CULTURAL RELATIVISM does not apply here!
One culture can only be compared with another culture within a larger context.
To cite an example:
"Are US homeless poorer or the poor of Nepal/Asia?"
First define "poverty"
Second, how can you compare urban poverty with rural poverty? There is no cultural relativism here!
Thanks for the thread.......;
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| shagadelic |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 03:42 PM
Hey paramendra, some nicely put points. I wasn't even aware of all these sexist laws that Nepal had. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
A few days back I read the success stories of Ms Anuradha koirala, of Maiti Nepal. I strongly feel these laws can be revised if people like AK step ahead and fight for the equal laws for male and female in nepal. We've had enough of these sexist laws and it's time for them to get sacked up. AK, we're with you !
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| Junkie |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 04:09 PM
Paramendra dai ..... that is some biting reality indeed. I proudly preached that Nepal had changed its laws to enforce equality. I thot there was 50-50 ownership. I couldn't have been more wrong.
I believe adultery in all shapes and forms are bad. I do agree with some aspects of curbing adultery as enforced in women. I do not agree with the freedom granted to men. The only change that seems to be made is the "liassez faire" that men enjoy.
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| junu |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 04:53 PM
Paramendra Ji
Thanks for bringing serious issues which are very important to be discussed especially racial discrimination . It is so disappointing only some people are interested in these issues. Where are sajha’s top ten ladies and gentleman? Paramendra , You should be president of Nepal to improve the situation of minorities . Keep up your good job.
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| Junkie |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 05:31 PM
pressy might take some more time ...... prime minister bhaye hunchha for the time being .....
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| paramendra |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 09:56 PM
SITARA:
"....There is no grounds for comparisions here: CULTURAL RELATIVISM does not apply here! ...."
An intelligent observation. But can you at least try? As in, what have been your personal experiences in sexism in the US, in Nepal? What words/attitudes have you encountered?
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| paramendra |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 10:00 PM
shagadelic:
I am assuming you are male.
Your thoughts are an example that the fight against sexism need not be, should not be a fight between the two genders. It is more the fight between right and wrong, between progress and injustice, and there are men like you who will have the guts to stand on the side of justice.
Kudos. We need to support those who are in the trenches.
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| paramendra |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 10:02 PM
Junkie:
"...I thot there was 50-50 ownership. I couldn't have been more wrong...."
At least you are not among those who defend the status quo. That is what is the good news.
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| Junkie |
Posted
on 18-Aug-02 10:43 PM
so Paramendra dai, you telling me that there's some goodness in me afterall ...... tell that to my dad ;)
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| pooja |
Posted
on 19-Aug-02 12:01 AM
thanks for spitting out some knowledge..women generally all over the world are historically oppressed..there are very few communities in this world that treat women and men almost equally..and i say "almost" but comparitivly its a lot better for women out here that most places in this world.i have lived here for about 6 years and i enjoy some freedom that i wouldnt even think of back home..but at the same time i also get underpaid than my male counterpart...society is sexist pretty much everywhere...thanks for starting this discussion though....seems like you've done your homework and you're definatly making people think!!!!!!!!
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| Diva_Starz |
Posted
on 19-Aug-02 04:26 AM
Paramendra:
I agree with you regarding the evidence of discrimination and disparities you put forward. Though the constitution of Nepal admits equal rights to all citizens, discriminatory laws against women prevail.
What I feel as a fundamental cause of oppression of woman both by laws and deeds in Nepal is economic. Only few families in rural areas believe that their girls/ woman can be spared from the chores of carrying wood and water, or tending animals. The harsh realities of scarce food and water can’t be ignored. Methods of coping with these realities have been institutionalized in religious practices, marriage customs into the very fabric of opportunity, which decidedly favored male children.
The majorities of Nepalese women are illiterate, have poor health, dominated by conservative social value system, which makes them dependent on their fathers and husbands, and so are easy victims of domestic and social violence. I wonder, why aren’t there laws to enforce parents to send all their children to school?:) Why is a four year old bound to look after her three-year-old brother while her other brothers are in school or idling around.
I find it crucial to enact new legislation guaranteeing equal inheritance for woman first to address the problem of discriminatory social and cultural practices, as economic rights are one of the inevitable measures for self-development. Likewise, the involvement of woman in the policy formulating bodies might help to address the gender inequity in broad prospects.
Gender inequality is ubiquitous. Regarding its presence here, like Pooja mentioned, it’s often visible in the work place. Women form the majority of unpaid, a typical or discouraged workers. In terms of employment as well as promotion in work and occupation, woman often face greater handicap then man. Here men apparently earn almost $17,000 more then women do for the same job. Sure, women have more opportunities to get educated and enter jobs with higher salaries compared to the pay offered by historical employment options for females. However, the opportunities to move beyond this entry benchmark still are contrived, controlled and limited by men despite women's impressive academic credentials, accomplished skills, and proven job performances.
Any way, an impressive thread…thanks!
Peace
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| koko |
Posted
on 19-Aug-02 09:07 AM
Mr Paramendra,
Its easy for you to post some self inflated facts but its a whole new world to change an entire culture that have existed for hundreds of years. Its one story to come here and bark lilke a dog ripping your own culture into shreds, but it is another story to try and change the old farts that actually run the country.
Half of the crap that you have written here are just laws people cannot take it serious like the ones about travel. I have known several Nepali Businesswomen that travel at whim whenever and where ever they want to go. Also know of lotta Nepali women that married that did not have any problem trying to get their citizenship for their husbands. And Kids as well.. there are a lotta kids out there that have dual citizenship. So this whole aticle does not hold water... in other words..its full of gas.
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| paramendra |
Posted
on 19-Aug-02 11:51 AM
Junu ji:
"....You should be president of Nepal..."
You must be a republican!
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| paramendra |
Posted
on 19-Aug-02 11:53 AM
Junkie:
I just clicked on your username. You have participated on 50 threads at the site. That is commendable.
Feel free to e-mail me for the assistance you request!
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| paramendra |
Posted
on 19-Aug-02 11:54 AM
Pooja:
"..i have lived here for about 6 years and i enjoy some freedom that i wouldnt even think of back home..but at the same time i also get underpaid than my male counterpart...."
This is the kind of feedback I was looking for. I wish you elaborated. Gave a lot more specific examples.
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| paramendra |
Posted
on 19-Aug-02 11:58 AM
Diva_Starz:
"..What I feel as a fundamental cause of oppression of woman both by laws and deeds in Nepal is economic. ..."
I disagree. Women do all the work at home, and 60% of the work on farms. They should be the richest citizens, but they are not. The issue is political. It is about women attaining political power.
On the other hand, you make many other valid points.
And you touch upon the issue of the glass walls and celings at the workplace for women out here in the US. Just like Pooja does. I hope we can elaborate on that.
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| Bitchpatroll |
Posted
on 19-Aug-02 01:47 PM
Whut up Dharmendra,
Only people with egos the size of the donkey's ass would post their pics next to their article..
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| paramendra |
Posted
on 19-Aug-02 06:01 PM
Bitchpatroll:
Your username suggests you are not entirely happy with the thrust of this thread. Offended?
As for my picture, I am only aiding the idea behind this online community. Would it offend it when you meet me that you are actually looking at my person?
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| Bitchpatroll |
Posted
on 20-Aug-02 10:07 AM
Dharminder,
Man ye must have peanuts fo brains..
Yeah just makin' sure than asswipes like y'all who want to be recognized do not shamelessly self promote themselves... that whole MAPAIII character.
Ye konw whut ye have..ye have that-Yeah, I know shit.. and I have written papers..an I have written articles .. Mentality. Its ok to write articles no prob. But yo ass wants to be recognized at Nepali function thats is the reason you put your stupid ass picture there.
By the way Bitchpatroll is not for any sexes in particular..its for people like you who bitch and moan about anything and everything.
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| bideshi |
Posted
on 20-Aug-02 11:24 AM
paramendra,
U know in this world,just like racism,the difference in sexism exists too.But it matters and varies among individuals and in the thinkings too.Well let me give u few examples.
In one family,Both the husband and wife is educated,but since they have a kid,wife is staying at home for few years to look after the baby.So,here the husband is entirely breadwinner.and the wife is a home maker.Home maker,(to make a good family) is a great job.So,if they have understanding,if the husband thinks his wife is doing a great job by looking after the baby and if he respects her for her job,then there is happiness and satisfaction and once the right time comes the wife will go to work too and things will turn out to be ok.If there is respects for the women then there i s relief.But naturally,since woman has to nurse the baby she has to stay at home unless she chose to bottle feed the baby and there is someone to look after the baby.so,naturally there is diiference .But respect from the husband and from the society matters too.Here in US,the home maker is also respected and staying at home mom feels proud that she is taking care of the family and this is also called a job.But I think back in Nepal,staying at home is considered idling around and not respected.
If women choose to work in US(if have qualifications),then usualy she is paid equally,not less than men.But back in Nepal I don't think so although there r exceptions always here and there.
But sexual harresment exists every where ,all over the world,but there is diference ,here in US,it is considered seriously,the harressed person is not humiliated but her emotions r respected
and culprits r usually punished and she can afterwards lead a normal life but back in Nepal and in other countries,harressed woman is not respected but she is more humiliated and so,many hide even if they r harressed badly in fear of being more humiliated.
SO,what I feel is this difference in sexism always exists as long as there is male and female around.BUt the difference in thinkings and respects of the women matters.
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| paramendra |
Posted
on 20-Aug-02 12:21 PM
Bideshi:
I appreciate your contribution to the discussion. You have touched upon a major topic in gender relations: that of the so-called stay-at-home mom. There are several ways to look at it. You touch upon quite a few of them. And I feel you have drawn some distinctions between sexism in the US and in Nepal. Thanks.
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| paramendra |
Posted
on 20-Aug-02 12:23 PM
Bitchpatroll:
I read your comments about me. Do you have anything to say about the topic at hand though? Just wondering.
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