Forty-eight percent of Nepalese women between 15 and 49 believe that wife beating by husband is justified in at least one of the circumstances like she goes out without telling him, neglects the children, argues with him, refuses sex with him and burns the food.

Similarly, 62 percent of Nepalese women thought verbal abuse and threat to the daughter-in-law was okay in the circumstances like she goes out without telling her, neglects the children, argues with or disobeys her, does not bring dowry and does not finish work in time.

This is what Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (NMICS, 2010) Preliminary Report has showed. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is an international household survey program developed by UNICEF. It provides up-to-date information on the situation of children and women, and measures key indicators that allow countries to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other internationally agreed-upon commitments.

Presenting the preliminary report, Nabin Lal Shrestha, director of Central Bureau of Statistics, said that the NMICS has generated information on children and women at sub-regional levels that have been carried out in Nepal.

“The NMICS 2011 covers topics related to nutrition, child health, environment, reproductive health, education, child protection, and HIV/ AIDS.

Women’s Participation In Peace, Security Stressed

Nepalese women from different walks of life met with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defense and the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Nepal. The meeting was held under the banner of “Global Open Day for Women, Peace and Security: Gender Responsive Security Sector” at the Centre for Constitutional Dialogue. 

The program took place to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which is related to ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict.

In his remark, the UN Resident Coordinator Robert Piper remarked “Experiences show that women’s participation in peace-building processes, especially at decision making levels is key to create a gender just society. It is up to us to seize this opportunity and build on the existing capacity and experience. Together we can engage women more in peace-building in Nepal.”

Partnership Focuses Maize Sector Improvement

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Department of Agriculture, USAID, and a US-based company, Monsanto, have partnered to promote the use of hybrid maize seeds and provide training to farmers in Nepal.

Among other efforts, USAID/NEAT and Monsanto, in coordination the Government of Nepal, will implement a pilot maize production project to promote the use of hybrid seeds in the key maize producing districts of Chitwan, Nawal Parasi, and Kavre. This pilot project will target 20,000 farmers and include training on hybrid maize production practices and facilitate linkages between producers and end-users.  

Speaking at the workshop’s opening, the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Also speaking at the workshop’s opening, USAID Mission Director David C. Atteberry remarked.

India Funds Morang School Buildings

Ambassador Jayant Prasad visited Morang on 14 September 2011 to lay the foundation of a school building for Shree Adarsha Higher Secondary School, Biratnagar, and inaugurate the school building for Shree Saraswati Higher Secondary School, Itahara, built with India’s assistance under Nepal - India Economic Cooperation Programme.

The Indian Ambassador first laid the foundation stone for the construction of a school building for Shree Adarsha Higher Secondary School at Biratnagar. One of the oldest schools in Nepal, this was established by Krishna Prasad Koirala in 1929. 

British Council Organised A Workshop

British Council Global School Partnership (GSP) Program organized a “Student Workshop” on the Global Themes of Sustainable Development and Peace & Conflict Resolution on September 19.  Fifty five students from 18 schools participated in the program. The students included 12 from Kathmandu, 4 from Pokhara, one each from Butwal and Biratnagar.

Along with presentations on the Global Themes, the workshop included a demonstration on briquette making from recycled waste by Sanu Kaji Shrestha, Chairman of Foundation of Sustainable Technologies (FoST) and British Council International Climate Champion Kritii Shrestha and a forum theatre on conflict resolution by Climate Champion Babu Ram Regmi.

Vaishali Pradhan, County Manager, GSP said, “In order to bring a global dimension into our teaching and learning, it is important to make students understand subjects through practical means.  This workshop was an invaluable opportunity for students aged 13-15 years to understand the concepts of Sustainable Development and Conflict Resolution through practical demonstrations and forum theatre. “