Background to the Morang Context

Information from Displacement Narrators in Biratnagar Municipality in Morang District:

In this short article the perspectives of the ‘Women, Violence and Displacement’ project narrators from the Biratnagar field site, on a range of questions related to the context have been collated, to provide background information that gives insights into the socio-economic context and current status of those who are displaced and how women are affected by violence. The activities they are aware of related to development organisations are also identified.  As far as possible the edited text that follows draws on the descriptions and language used by the narrators.

What are the social, political, economy, geographical, cultural and health problems occurring in the community?

In Biratnagar ward no 19 the people who have faced social problems in Baijanathapur village are those living in the dalit community. There are high numbers of “musahar and sardar” as well as indigenous communities like chaudhary, rajbangshi who also like to live inside their own communities. The musahar are considered to be the marginalized community due to their status of untouchability.  Children from this community do not go to school or have only studied up to primary school level.   Children are found to be getting married around the age of 14 and often give birth at the age of 17 and 18. They are living their lives on a daily basis through the wages they earn that day. Despite awareness programmes there are still many issues.

Economy problem: It is very difficult in this community as they depend on daily wages and work in others fields. They typically work for four days and stay at home for three days each week. Men typically earn 500 rupees per day (n.b about $5) but they bring home only about 200 rupees as they often drink alcohol on the way back home.

Women work as a labor and some work in other people’s homes as a maid. Men dig grounds and carry mud.

Political problems: more that 25% of people from this community are involved in different political parties. Some women are involved in politics and are doing a good job. As the public’s problems are drawn to the attention of political parties some of the problems are being solved nowadays through political solutions.

Cultural problems: in this ward mushar, batar, tharu and rajwangshi are the main groups. They enjoy their own culture and religion.  In the month of Baisaksh they worship gods and enjoy a circus where there are many visitors. They welcome their guests with meat and alcohol. If visitors are not provided with alcohol they don’t feel they have been properly welcomed. They celebrate chatt, jitiya, baisakh mela, dashain and tihar festivals.

Geographical condition: in this area Katahari village lies in the north and Gram Dhan village lies in the south. India’s border town Jogmani is 20km away from this area which has a gravel road. Most of the area is close to the Ward office and Health Post, but some parts are far away. In this area the main crops cultivated are wheat, mustard, and vegetables.

Health Condition: in this area women are found to have problems in their womb and men are found to be suffering from TB and due to the unhygienic surrounding they also suffer from diarrhoea. Children suffer from malnutrition and allergies. They don’t often visit the health post.

Explain the different types of violence which have occurred against women and children

The main types of violence occurring against women and children are physical, mental, and sexual abuse. Reasons for violence are

• if dowry is not provided they are scolded and beaten up,
• if that does not work then kerosene may be used to set fire to the body,
• if a child is given birth then the husband and his family do not take good care of the mother and child
• Rape and killing of children (for example the Nirmala Rape and Murder Case outlined later in this article)

Provide information about the programmes and plans being undertaken in the community

Work is done by the Ward, by Development Organisations, and by the Municipality. The list that follows identifies some of the programmes and activities at these levels:

• Biratnagar municipality organised a ‘rights for women programme’ through a supporting organisation, and also ran a ‘child period management programme’, and distributed sanitary pads.
• In the Municipality of Biratnagar there are development organisations in every Ward. These Ward-based development organisations work with different communities. People involved in the communities work for society through ward development activities, for example a ‘cleaning programme’, and a ‘respecting elders programme’. Ward offices also run programmes for children
• The municipality make development plans and programmes through the ward office for example: development of roads, establishment of electricity, development works and works related to rights. Taxes are paid through ward offices and paid for the safety of society.
• At the Ward level through ‘awas yojana’ there is a housing plan to construct housing for 80 families. Elderly people are provided with money and security.
• The ‘Ward child group’ delivers programmes spreading awareness of child rights, and regarding child marriage.
• MDMS, World Vision, Action Aid and Women development and local groups provided training to people for skill development, child rights, child security, related to menstruation, and against child marriage. Through this training young generations are being motivated and also cleaning programs are being held and toilets are also being made.
• Women networks arrange programmes relating to violence against women and provide support for the women who are victims by taking the cases to court and advocating for the rights victims.

After the flood what are the major problems faced by the people in this area.

The flood occurred on 2074 BS Shrawan 27th and 28th. Due to the flood people living in this area had to face huge problems for example:  sexual abuse among girls due to having to stay in inappropriate places, and three attempted rape cases were dealt with.

After the flood and even up to now the unhygienic surroundings are prevalent. In the aftermath of the flood, 87 children were provided with medicine by CWIR due to diagnosed health problems, and a 43 year old man died due to a snake bite.

Due to the cold and having to stay in inappropriate places people’s health is being affected. People are unable to get the relief provided by Nepal Government, but are happy to have some relief provided by the local government an 80 houses are being constructed this year for flood victims.

Currently the situation facing the people in the community is very bad due to the cold with many people still living in temporary shelters.

Cultural norms and religious belief have great influence in this community and manifest themselves through some problems arising due to the flood. The cases described below illustrate some of the types of problems that have arisen.

Case 1: Last year the flood took away all the houses and this flood victim’s name is Rita. She has opened a small shop near the district administration office where she sells tea and lunch. She is a mother of two daughters. Her elder daughter is married. Last year her house was taken away by the flood and this year her husband was taken away by another flood and was found dead. She says the first priorities of every human are house, dress and shelter but she is facing problems due to these three things. Last year her house was taken by the flood and after that she is staying in a small hut made with a steel roof. Due to her husband’s death, more problems have occurred in her life. Her daughters used to help her in the work and as a result of this her daughters were unable to get proper education and have only passed class 10. Her husband was Brahmin and she is Chettri and that was her second marriage, as a result of which she does not have any family support. Nowadays she is staying in the house which is near the river.

Case 2: Last year due to flooding many Municipalities and VDCs were affected. This is the story of a girl named Radha Rishi Dev, who used to live in Kathari VDC ward No.2 and how society pressurised her. Before the flood happened she used to live at her mother’s house. The flood destroyed many things. Radha was trafficked by a man and was sexually abused. She was pregnant after that incident and she didn’t know about her pregnancy. When Radhas’s menstruation cycle stopped, her uncle and aunt had doubts and took her to a doctor. The doctor told Radha that she was pregnant. After this news a community meeting was held, and after discussion her uncle’s 12 years old son was suspected. He was taken to rehab.  Radha was asked about the baby she had not known about and she couldn’t remember anything.  The flood took away her uncle’s house and Radha’s pregnancy was another tension for him. This incident was discovered by Biratnagar’s municipality and WOREC Nepal took her and kept her under examination. She told them that the father of the baby was not her Uncle’s son, but she still doesn’t know who the father is.  She was taken to Koshi Zone hospital by WOREC Nepal and gave birth to her child. Apparently, Radha is now staying with her Uncle.