As an illiterate widow without support of anyone in the Madhesi community, which treats women as weaker sex, Fekani had to struggle harder than single women from other communities to obtain her citizenship certificate. Fekani, who also has a daughter, had to endure a series of incidents of domestic violence since she lost her husband 13 years ago.[break]
Fekani, who was confined within the four walls of her house, did not receive support from her in-laws. Nor did any organization come up to support her in her struggle to receive citizenship certificate.
“I faced several complications. I wandered from pillar to post seeking help to obtain citizenship certificate,” says Fekani. “My in-laws never cooperated with me. They were suspicious that I might claim my share of their property after receiving citizenship certificate.”
Source: HUCODAN
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As the years passed, Fekani realized the growing necessity of citizenship certificates. Without it, she was neither able to claim her rights over property nor was she entitled to social security allowance that the government provides to single women. She had no idea how she could get citizenship certificate. However, she learnt from a neighbor that a women’s group formed by the Human Rights and Community Development Academy Nepal (HUCODAN) helped single women receive citizenship certificates. She shared her story with members of the women’s group, which helped her obtain citizenship certificate.
“Finally, I felt that I got justice. Now my daughter can receive citizenship certificate easily though my certificate,” said Fekani. “I’ve also already applied for social security allowance meant for single woman.”
Like Fekani, Pawani Devi Sardar, of Theliya-8 in Saptari District, also struggled for years to acquire citizenship certificate.
Eight years ago, Pawani Devi was abandoned by her lover, Annu Sardar. At that time, she was pregnant. Deceived by her lover, Pawani Devi had to face social stigmas and discrimination.
She gave birth to a child in her parental home but her lover did not accept the child. But she did not give up and continued to struggle for justice.
The Community Mediation Centre (CMC) and Women’s Group helped Pawani Devi reconcile with her lover when their child was already five years old. Pawani Devi says the suffering that she underwent as an unwed mother was beyond anyone’s imagination. The CMC and Women’s group were instrumental in reuniting Pawani Devi with her lover, who was then working in India. Now, both of them are happy with their life.
Gita Sah, of Kushaha-4, also shares the same tale full of pain caused by gender-based violence (GBV). After her husband went abroad looking for work, the society treated her as a soft target and even tried to tarnish her character. Gita started a small business to support her family. In absence of her husband, she had to shoulder the whole responsibility of her family.
The conservative society of the Tarai, which has traditionally confined women to household chores, looked askance at Gita.
“When my husband went abroad, villagers started questioning my character. Some of them even followed me whenever I went outside. That was the time full of psychological torture for me,” shared Gita. She says she almost left her village when the villagers’ spying on her crossed the limit.
Gita’s problem was solved after CMC and the Women’s Group brought both sides together, helping them come to terms. “Now I have good relation with those who used to abuse me in the past,” said Gita.
According to HUCODAN, of the total 9,510 cases related to women registered with it, 353 are related with GBV. The organization working as a facilitator in reconciliation has successfully handled 319 cases of GBV.
Shushma Gupta, a social activist at Kushaha-4, said most of cases regarding women’s violence don’t come to light as people view only physical torture as violence. She also informed that the social mindset of dealing with violence against women (VAW) is taking its toll on the women in the society.
According to Gupta, by raising awareness, the CMC and the Women’s Group have been receiving increased numbers of cases of GBV. She also informed that people are gradually becoming aware of GBV after CMC and other organization started facilitating reconciliation of such cases in the community itself. She informed that the organizations are successful in dealing with the cases with win-win situation for both parties involved.
Mahalana VDC Secretary Hari Narayan Chaudhari said that CMC has played an important role in the local level in the wake of increased cases of GBV, leading to increased awareness and alertness on GVB. He also floated the idea for the formulation of the Reconciliation Act -2068. He opined that social transformation would be easier if the new Act is introduced. He also informed that CMC has made it easier for political parties, the police, and women’s rights activists in dealing with the GBV.
He was of the opinion that the CMC has been effective in dealing with GBV as the concept of reconciliation is itself a good option to make both parties realize a win-win situation as well as saving money and time.
The Enabling State Program (ESP) has provided financial support for the HUCODAN to form CMCs in 90 VDCs in Saptari, Dhausha, Mahottari, Siraha, Sarlahi and Rautahat. The CMC tries to settle the cases at the local level except criminal and government cases. Only unresolved cases will be forwarded for legal reasons, said Asiya Chaudhari, a facilitator from Arneya VDC-1.
Three groups – at the VDC level, Ward level and Women’s group – with the active participation from the local people work for a CMC providing free service for the just settlement of GBV at the local level.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjay Singh Basnet said that lack of awareness, superstition, traditional mindset, illiteracy, unemployment, among other factors, are the main reasons for the incidents of GBV on the rise. He also said that it was good to mediate the cases locally as such cases are many in the society. He emphasized on the need to increase the numbers of such CMCs as it would also help in justice delivery.
“The practice of settling the cases in the community itself has helped keeping harmony in the society,” said law professional Sujit Kumar Pokhrel. He further claimed that Madhesi society, which has experiencing rampant cases of GBV, settling 90 percent of such cases locally. Pokhrel stated that either party saves at least Rs 50,000 which would have been spent in court case if the case is solved locally. Further, local mediation also completely heals the feud between the parties involved.
Bhikho Devi Chaudhari, Secretary of Women’s Group in Brahapur, however, expresses anxiety that politics has started affecting the CMC. “We wish no politics to creep in the mediation done fairly,” said Chaudhari.
HUCODAN Chairperson Surendra Prasad Yadav informed that the Tarai Madhes Community Mediation Campaign has been running in six districts under the auspices of State Strengthening Program.
“CMC has been helping to arbitrate cases at the local level and the people’s access to justice has been simplified,” Yadav added. Of 9,510 cases registered to be resolved, 7,607 were settled by the CMC.
Not a mean achievement in itself.
Sita BK is a radio journalist with Radio Jagaran based in Butw
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