Displacement Narrator insights from Nepal: January to March 2022

The quarter began with the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and the increase in the Omicron variant. This led to the shut-down of public services, schools and some vehicle operations. Children were taking online classes, but this was very difficult for those from marginalised communities. Due to the success of the vaccination programme, most schools and sectors reopened before the end of February.

The imminent local elections, announced for the month of Baisakh, meant that as the quarter progressed, local candidates were being selected and parties were actively campaigning and holding rallies. During this period, there were also protests locally and nationally against the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) plans for a Nepal Compact for investments by the United States of America. This became a controversial political topic that was eventually accepted by the majority and ratified in Parliament.

The Holi festival took place in March. With a relaxation in rules, families and communities were able to actively celebrate. The 112th International Women’s Day also took place in March, with many people from different backgrounds discussing women’s rights issues. The annual Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) report had been published in February, reporting a total of 6,285 cases of violence, with 5,215 (86 %) of these being against women and children.

Nepal’s 2078 census reported that 51.4% of the total population are women.

Environmental conditions

The roadside drainage systems were a cause for concern this quarter, with Biratnagar municipality and citizens involved in cleaning to address any issues of blocked drains and flooding. In March, road construction took place from Biratnagar, Kethaliya chowk to Bathimod chowk. This caused the community some distress, resulting in demonstrations as their routes for walking and travelling became blocked.

The weather has also been getting hotter and windier. In the spring to summer season, there are typically an increase in disasters such as hurricanes and fires. The community are particularly worried about the risks of forest fires, which can cause house fires as homes are mostly made of bamboo, hay, wood and mud. The community are involved in an awareness raising campaign about this.

COVID situation

At the start of the quarter people remained aware of the virus, with the third Omicron wave creating problems. Communities continued to follow protocols, including social distancing, sanitising and wearing masks. Occasions such as marriages and ceremonies such as Bratabanda were conducted with a minimum number of people. As well as getting the virus, people were catching common colds, and some deaths were reported. A petition was signed by Morang’s chief district office to offer warm clothes to people in need including senior citizens. The ward department offered warm clothes to 250 people selected as most in need.

By February, numbers of cases were decreasing in Biratnagar, and people were getting their second vaccination doses and boosters. The government were focused on vaccinations for young people studying at the secondary and higher secondary level. The Pfizer and Johnson vaccines were being used. In March, the Covid situation improved further, and it was becoming easier for people to make a living.

Effect on livelihoods

The open border with India means that people can benefit from cross-border work. However, due to the Covid Omicron wave, shops and businesses were closed in January, resulting in less work.

Twenty families who lost their employment because of Covid-19 were given food and basic clothing as relief with the help of the municipality.

The changing rules related to the border crossing due to Covid meant that by February things were operating more normally. However, as one narrator reports, the impact on some of the most vulnerable can be very significant:

“Biratnagar Metropolitan city is a border area of ​​India, persons with disabilities, poor and vulnerable groups of the community people have been able to make a living by bringing goods from Jogmani market and giving goods to shops and earning through the carrying charges. This is their way of making an income but due to the strict custom duties and the tightening of mobility at the Indian border, they are facing difficulties these days. Krishna Chaudhary is a blind person who is married to a woman who is also blind. Both husband and wife were earning their livelihood by carrying goods across the border but due to the increase in COVID 19 cases in India, the border rules have become stricter again”.

In February, one narrator reported that many women were raising their voices about low wages, but due to the lack of work employment opportunities, their negotiating position is not that strong. Twenty women who lost their job because of Covid-19 were given relief materials worth Rs.4000 and were also given a blanket each. Among these women, 6 of them were single women, 5 were people with disabilities, and 9 were women who lost family members during Covid-19. These relief materials were coordinated at the local ward level through the advocacy and lobbying of local community organisations.

In March, a community-level survey was conducted, which identified 250 disadvantaged people (disabled people, single women and helpless poor persons) in the ward. These people were provided with Rs. 10,000 each to support their livelihoods.

There is informal migration taking place, and the government is encouraging this to be done formally so they can track movement and ensure safety and that people are following Covid protocols including vaccination requirements.

In March, the government were encouraging people to stay locally so they do not miss their chance to vote in local elections.

Types of violence due to Covid

Due to the success of the vaccination programme and decline in Covid cases, there was not so much mental stress as in the first and second waves. There are very few cases of violence against women reporting. These are mostly referred and mediated at the local level. However, the focus on Covid-19 infections has meant that violence faced by women and girls are often ignored and go unnoticed. One narrator highlights the burden women are taking on supporting their families even whilst having Covid:

“One couple – both husband and wife were infected by Covid-19. First the husband tested positive and then the wife. At first, the wife was very scared. There was lots of stress and difficulty for both of them mentally. The wife was taking the greater role taking care of her husband even though she was also infected. They both recovered. Mostly, in the case of Covid 19, it is mainly women doing their household chores, and looking after the husband, children and family members”.

One narrator reports that 25% of women are now burdened by the double responsibility of home chores and official chores.

Gender issues and incidents of violence

The hidden nature of violence does not mean that cases are reducing or do not exist. Common violence is happening to women. They are used to it and must cope with it themselves. There is a lack of further investigation. There is also a need to dig deeper to understand the cases and realities that women face. An example from Biratnagar-19 tells of a resident aged 36 who was facing domestic violence from her husband. She filed her report at the police station and even wrote about it to the ward department. It was discussed in the ward, and there was mediation among them. The perpetrators have been warned.

One of the narrators reports as follows:

“Women working in the construction areas and in the houses are also wearing undershirts even while wearing a saree. Women are conscious that they have to cover up, as even if any violence happens against them, they think and also the community usually says it is because of the way they dress and show their skin”.

The narrators highlight that understanding and analysing the roots of the cases of violence and the major ways to prevent it are needed. This requires a holistic approach to prevention, addressing the causes and the response to the violence through referral and remedies. There needs to be good liaison between the different stakeholders to coordinate a full response. This means involving health professionals, lawyers, police, government and non-government organizations.

Support received from government and other agencies

Activities noted this quarter from government, non-government and civil society agencies include:

• Support for cleaning the environment and stopping the use of unnecessary items that cause environmental pollution
• The Ward is providing skill development training and relief materials
• Local government has made antigen checking free of cost and has launched a program especially for women. Rs 3,000 is initially given to a pregnant woman. Pregnant women are also provided with a free ambulance service
• In March, Biratnagar Metropolitan office conducted a discussion program with various stakeholders to focus on how to better manage the prison to maintain hygiene and cleanliness and to motivate prisoners to earn income while working inside the prison
• With the support of the province assembly, Biratnagar municipality office has received air fire control. This support can be helpful in the community or at an individual home
• Various training activities were conducted. For example, women from underprivileged groups were provided with different skill development training. 20 were engaged for doll making, 20 for incense sticks making, 20 for washing surf making, 20 for shoes/slippers making and 20 for mushroom making. 15 women were given Beautician Training to support their livelihoods. A further 15 from marginalized communities were given skill training in making crystal necklaces
• In Biratnagar Metropolitan City, a help desk has been set up inside the premises of the District Administration Office to report any kinds of violence against women and for referral

Other matters highlighted at the community level

In this ward, adolescent and youth suicides are on the rise. There have been cases of youth in the 16-24-year-old age range committing suicide this year. Psychological counselling support is needed. For this reason, two women from the ward have been sent for counselling support in collaboration with an organization called Koshish. They will be trained as counsellors, and later, they can support people who might need counselling services.

In February, Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation held a press meeting to announce a “cricket for equality program” to raise awareness for people coming from different economic backgrounds who have limited access to sports. The engagement of girls and women in cricket in the terai areas is negligible.