It is for these evils that Nepal is ranked least in HDI -- which gauges income, education and health status -- among five South Asian countries, lower than Bhutan, states Nepal Human Development Report 2009, which was made public here on Monday.
The report launched with the theme of ´State Transformation and Human Development´ highlights that country´s life expectancy (63.69 years) is still low. The adult literacy rate stands at mere 52.42 percent.
“Nepal did better on the gender-related development index, particularly as life expectancy of women (65.71 years) surpassed that of men (61.92 years). But this rate of decrease in gender inequality is dwindling,” it cautions.
The report further portrays wide disparity on the status of human development across different development regions. For instance, people in mid-western (HDI 0.452) and far-western development region (0.461) have the lowest level of human development.
Under-five mortality rate of hill dalits (95 per 1000 live births) remains much higher than Newars (68 per 1000 live births). And when it comes to income, status of hill dalits (Rs 8,830) is the least, as compared to average per capita income of Madhesi Bramhan and Chhetri (Rs 23,900).
“This unequal human development is both a cause and result of exclusion,” states the report, and calls for transformation of state into one that is responsive, ensures equitable representation of all groups in the state structure and enables citizens to participate effectively in decision concerning their development.
Given that Nepal has embarked to restructure the state and transform governance, the report notes it could be the best opportunity for Nepal to do away with problems that deprived people´s from enjoying quality life.
"The country must devise the federalism for social justice, inclusion and participation," states the report, stressing on the need to bring governance closer to people. The report cautions that only the formation of states on the basis of caste and ethnicity may not be the solution, especially as dalits and other underprivileged communities are spread across different parts of the country.
“Nepal might fail in controlling violence and enforcing laws, collecting taxes, maintaining loyalty of its citizen as well as their security and securing sovereignty -- something that could lead the state to failure if the state restructuring process is not steered with a strong sense of nation building.”
The report further stresses on the need to build a strong sense of citizenship and political community. While good governance and human development rests largely on peace, the report urges the country to get the peace process on the right track.
The report calls for representation and participation of different stakeholders, including the victims of conflict and citizens, in policies formulation and institutions development.
“Ensure participation of Maoist combatants in choosing their options in the process of integration and/or rehabilitation,” the report recommends, and urges for the formulation and implementation of reintegration and rehabilitation plan for the Maoists´ disqualified fighters and internally displaced people.
The report also stresses on the need to enhance the capacity of local peace committees to assume responsibilities for reconciliation and reintegration and effective participation of CA members, political parties and citizens in writing the new constitution.
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