Abstract
Poverty in Nepal is deep, diverse and multifaceted. This article examines the conceptual and policy links between poverty, policies and human rights. This paper aims to provide some pathways for an increased understanding of policy and politics dimensions of poverty in Nepal. This examination is further informed by a critical social work perspective, sharpened through the authors' presentation at a USM and CSU sponsored research colloquium on poverty as a human rights violation. Beginning with a description of the present level of poverty in Nepal and the values underpinning Nepalese social policy, we then analyse anti-poverty initiatives by the Nepalese successive governments and non state actors and examine the role of Nepalese nascent social work profession in the gigantic task of crafting poverty free Nepal.
Highlights
"Wherever we lift one soul from a life of poverty, we are defending human rights
Despite some progress in poverty reduction in recent years, Nepal remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with a Human Development Index of 0.463, placing it 157th out of 187 countries listed in the Human Development Report 2013 of the United Nations Development Programme
What were the reasons for this persistent poverty? Is it due to the internal conflicts and human rights violations in the past decades? If yes, what has been the link between human rights and poverty in a transition country like the Nepal? In recent years, the traditional view of poverty has changed as it has come to be recognized as a denial of human rights that undermines the dignity and worth of the individuals
Summary
"Wherever we lift one soul from a life of poverty, we are defending human rights. And whenever we fail in this mission, we are failing human rights." - Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General (2010). It means deprivation of the resources, capabilities, choices, security and power that are needed to provide a standard of living that brings with it the enjoyment of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights It violates personal freedom: its elimination should be seen as a basic entitlement and human right and not merely as a problem to be tackled by charity. In addition to economic factors, the rigidity of socially ascribed gender roles and women's limited access to power, education, training; productive resources are responsible for women’s poverty This situation suggests in a country like Nepal policies that are focused on special populations are crucial in addition to macro policies. The project aimed to increase the capability within the country to assess the impacts of globalization and liberalization policies on income distribution, expenditure pattern, living standards and other social dimensions of poverty.
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