In the current context of uneven human development, unequal access to positions of power, and severe deprivation among various sections of the population, it is natural that calls for more equal access to resources, affirmative action, education in local languages, support for cultural development, true decentralization of decision-making powers to local level units of governance, and changes in the state’s ideology and structure are being raised all over. Some of them have highlighted the question of self-determination rights. Women have spoken out in favor of equality.
Nepal confronts a monumental burden in solidifying Nepalese national identity while also addressing legitimate issues of women, numerous ethnic and caste groups, and geographically disadvantaged places. To resolve such issues, the dominant Indo-Aryan group must demonstrate exceptional tolerance and expertise. The most difficult problem today is convincing the dominant culture that it must allow the nation’s dissident voices. On the other hand, diverse ethnic groups must recognize that we are all in this together; there is no way to change history without killing, which is bad for the people in general. Civil society, especially non-governmental organizations (NGOs), may and must play a positive role in bringing about the required changes in the mindsets of dominant and non-dominant groups for the country’s harmonious growth toward a more equal social, economic, and political framework.
The major political parties in Nepal have shown to be ineffective and incapable of dealing with the country’s pressing concerns. They have a history of exploiting ethnic tensions for political gain. In the previous 10 years, their primary focus has been on gaining power. Unfortunately, no civil society institutions, private sector media, trade unions, professional groups, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been able to extricate themselves from this persistent power-seeking tendency.
Pattern of NGO Interventions and Issues: So far, most non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Nepal have focused on development work, partly because financing is readily accessible and people are drawn to it. They function through multi-dimensional initiatives, rather than focusing on one or two sectors at the village level. This is due in part to their integrated approach philosophy and/or financial opportunities, since several INGOs and funders aid the majority of them. NGOs have developed an integrated strategy to raising awareness and providing services. They generally work in groups. NGOs’ activities have centered on raising awareness, acting as a catalyst for accessing existing services, developing human resources, and, in certain situations, delivering services. More particular activities under these broad categories include community development, income production, health, agriculture, informal education, drinking water, population, and the environment. To encourage participation, most NGOs have introduced income generation/saving credit components to their programs. However, the program’s focus varies from NGO to NGO based on funding availability and donor priorities. Some NGOs, such as NIRDHAN, are structured primarily as banking for the poor under the Bangladesh Grameen Bank Model.
A few non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are dedicated to advocating for human rights, women’s rights, and children’s rights. The recent NGO aid to Kamaiyas for their collective action against bonded labor circumstances in the Far-West, their eventual emancipation, and the NGO advocacy for low caste rights to work choice in another eastern area are of special importance.
In recent years, several women’s NGOs have worked on rights advocacy concerns. They have been highly effective in advocacy capacities, bringing women’s issues to the forefront of public debate, despite frequent criticism of their developmental functions. Their main focus has been on equal inheritence rights for daughters in the paternal household, as well as against public and domestic abuse against women. One apparent result of this activism is a measure proposed in parliament to modify sections on property rights and violence. Although not ideal, the Bill will strengthen a wife’s rights to her husband’s property and make rape penalties more harsh. Women have also gained some protection under the Constitution and Local Government Acts.
INGOs (International Non-Governmental Organizations): A great number of INGOs operate in Nepal, some of which have been doing so for more than four decades, such as UMN and Helvetas. A significant quantity of resources pass via them. INGOs, for example, spent $17.4 million in Nepal in 1998. In 1998, the major INGOs contributors were Foster Parents (32%), UMN (16%), International Nepal Fellowship, Action Aid, and Lutheran World Federation.
Different INGOs function in different ways; some run their own programs, while others finance both government and non-governmental organizations. Since the previous fiscal year, INGOs have been obliged by the Social Welfare Council-SWC to have their programs and those of their partnering NGOs authorized.
Local involvement techniques of INGOs are similar to those of NGOs outlined above. However, INGOs also serve as funders to non-governmental organizations. Almost all programs include group formation for generating awareness and credit. The priority of financing and input components is determined by the aims and leadership vision of each INGOs. Nonetheless, their operations have been focused on area development and health. Many INGOs have focused their emphasis in recent years, notably after 1995, on the most disadvantaged areas and people, including women (see Bhattchan, 2000).
Conclusion:
To recap, while many NGOs and INGOs are doing important development work, their aims, openness, accountability, dedication, and capacity to operate independently have all been called into doubt at various levels. Intention, ownership, openness, and responsibility are all major issues.
The most significant issue with INGO activities in Nepal, as with NGOs in general, is accountability. Donors frequently establish their own organizations to carry out non-governmental development efforts in Nepal. Furthermore, rather than considering the efficacy of their programs, funders have opted to finance NGOs founded by close relatives of political and bureaucratic elites for political goals. INGOs have enormous bureaucracies and frequently recruit expats on expensive wages. In the pretext of assisting the Nepalese people, such activities and policies undermine institutional and professional growth in Nepal. Their funding channels and financing procedures are opaque. Some of them have returned resources to their native nations, even as head office overheads. Some of them even refuse to disclose their annual costs. There was no centralized organization in the nation that maintained track of INGOs and their operations until recently. The SWC has lately taken on this responsibility, but it has to develop its infrastructure in order to carry it out properly. It must also keep politics out of the process of sponsoring non-governmental organizations.