Working for a women’s organisation in Kathmandu has certainly accelerated my learning of inequality in this country and also the complications of the country itself. On the face of it when foreigners visit this country they will be greeted with smiley happy people, but scratch beneath the surface and you begin to reveal the many frustrations and challenges that Nepali’s face, which far outweigh my petty annoyances. I have the freedom to do what I like when I like, within reason and the biggest decision I will have to face in the next six months is where to go next. But as a Nepali freedom is massively obstructed by the strong tie to the extended family. The level of duty that people have to give their family is phenomenal. Duty to be in the house at certain times, to do puja (prayer rituals), attend family functions, get married the list is endless and even greater and less flexible for women. I am thankful that I was given the freedom and support to grow independently as a strong free thinking individual.
Attempting to leave this country is fraught with obstacles for the natives, options are limited to studying in expensive western countries at a high price, or working in middle eastern countries for exploitive wages. Even visiting another western country as a Nepali tourist is a long and arduous application process, as it is assumed that Nepali’s will outstay their tourist visa and not return. As for me I have no pressure to do anything and have more option of what to do next, this is because I am western, educated and have access to funds. It seems so unfair for the young people of this country to be growing up in a transitional country, where there are so few opportunities other than flocking abroad. There are however growing numbers of young entrepreneurs and professionals some of which have graduated and returned from overseas and some who haven’t. They are working in the development sector, tourism, small businesses, self employment and they seem to have it going on. Let’s face it if you can be successful in a post conflict country with no real Government and limited electricity and infrastructure you have got to be pretty smart and adaptable.
Times are changing in Nepal, the women’s movement grows from strength to strength slowly transforming negative social practices and a new generation of young people are growing up fast ready to take Nepal forward to a better future. I hope that in the future the global inequalities are narrowed so that everyone has a choice for their future, just like I do.
