Nepal: Role of media in conflict and peace process

Nepali women played a remarkable role for the success of the 2006 peoples' movement. This has provided fundamental basis for ending armed conflict and restoring sustainable peace. As the task of writing the new constitution is in process, Nepali people have witnessed some important steps of peace process during this period. The 12-point understanding between the then Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Agreement of Management of Arms and Armies, the promulgation of the Interim Constitution, formation of the Interim Legislative Parliament and the Interim Government, completion of the verification process of ‘people’s liberation army’ (PLA), successful completion of highly awaited election of Constituent Assembly are the major stepladders of Nepali peace process. Furthermore, Constitution Assembly election in April 2008 resulted in Maoist victory and the beginning of a process to write a new, people centered constitution. These historic steps of peace process have left smile in the faces of every Nepali citizen. And women are among them who have overwhelmingly participated and experienced these developments very closely.

Women comprise half of the total population of Nepal. Unfortunately, these are the key clusters who have suffered of armed conflict and human rights violation such as, killings, rape, sexual and mental abuses, disappearance, torture, threats of attack, arrest more than any other. More than 13,347 people had been killed by the end of 2006, approximately 8 percent of them were women and more than 3 percent were children. Political activists, agricultural workers, teacher and police personnel also became major victim groups, amounting to some 72 percent of the total killings. In addition, 50,356 people were displaced by the end of 2004. Even after the signing of the CPA in November 2006, another 551 people were killed in 2007 and 541 in 2008. (Source: Human Development Report 2009)

The 12-point understanding between the then Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on 22 November 2005 has actually laid the foundation of peace process. Afterwards, when real peace process began following the popular April movement, women came forward ­with an outstanding vigor with the vision of inclusion, firstly with their active and meaningful participation in the overall process. And, media helped to raise this issue in political front. Despite the ceaseless effort to ensure women’s participation, they were not included in other several agreements between government and Maoist. Immediately after April movement, on April 26, the then King Gyanendra reinstated the 1999 Parliament. The then Nepal communist Party (Maoist) declared a unilateral ceasefire on April 26, and the new government led by Girija Prasad Koirala announced its own unilateral ceasefire and plans for peace talks with the Maoist insurgents on May 3, 2006. Unfortunately, not a single woman was assigned or trusted to be the negotiator and facilitator. Before 2006, the then government held two peace talks with Maoist in 2001 and 2003. But no woman was represented either from government side or Maoist as a negotiator or facilitator in 2001 talks. In 2003, only one woman was appointed as a negotiator from government side but her role was also limited and later when the government changed, two new ‘men’ negotiators were appointed.

Afterwards, in 2006, the then Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) signed a number of agreements, including, a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which was a milestone to end the decade-long insurgency. The CPA visualizes an inclusive, democratic and progressive state restructuring by eliminating the centralized and unitary form of the state in order to address the concerns of women, dalits, indigenous nationalities, Madhesi, the oppressed, the neglected and minorities and backward regions by ending discrimination based on class, caste, languages, gender, culture, religion and region. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement paved way to ensure meaningful participation of women in the process. Stepping on the foundation of CPA, on January 15, 2007 a 328-member Interim Parliament including 83 Maoist representatives was constituted. The representation of women in the then interim legislative parliament was laudable. The first sitting of the reinstated Interim Parliament unanimously endorsed an interim constitution which replaced the constitution of 1990 in January 15, 2007.

Nepali press and media had seriously suffered, attacked and harassed during 10 –year-long armed conflict and direct rule of King Gyenendra. Many media personnel have lost their life, a lot of journalists were arrested and abducted, and several media houses has got threat, attacked and closed down. Numerous local journalists have compelled to leave their employment. These are the only few cases. Altogether 26 journalists were killed during armed conflict while two others went missing. Women journalists also became victim of various attacks. They were especially psychologically traumatized and compelled to leave their employment.

Violation of media right continues even after the restoration of democracy in 2006. President of Sancharika Samuha – Forum of women journalist and communicators, Babita Basnet says, nature of attack have changed but journalists are still facing threats, attack and abduction form various armed group especially from Terai. Nepali press have not directly controlled and assaulted by the government after the restoration of democracy in April 2006. However, present situation for the press is getting better but risks and challenges are increasing. Birendra Shah, Bara district, reporter of Avenews Television was abducted and later killed by the Maoist activist and his body was found one on 8 November 2007. Prakash Singh Thakuri, Kanchanpur based journalist was also kidnapped by the Maoist. Shanker Panthi, reporter, Nayan Satta Daily, has found death. Some women journalists have also become the target of various armed group. For the first time in media history, Uma Singh, a women journalist from Janakpur was assassinated on 11 January, 2009. Recently, Tika Bista, Rukum based journalist was brutally beaten up and severely injured (December 08, 2009). She was attacked while she was on her way to the District Hospital, receiving a call from an unidentified male. The unconscious body of Bista was found near her house by her friends.

Looking back to the history of media, the evolution of mass media in Nepal began with the introduction of the hand press in 1851 A.D. Printing of Sudha Sagar, the first monthly magazine signifies the beginning of Nepali journalism. The state owned Gorkhapatra came into being in 1901 and the first English daily ‘The Rising Nepal’ was published in 1965.

In the year 1952, after the publication of monthly magazine MAHILA, Sadhana Pradhan and Kamakshya Devi were observed in Nepali media as editors. Since then some women were seen as editors for weekly and monthly magazines. After the establishment of Nepal Television in 1985, the participation of women in Nepali media was noticed. The restoration of democracy in 1990 paved the way for the development of media in Nepal. Due to establishment of numerous private newspapers, FM stations and private television channels, women's participation in media industry is on rise. But still, meaningful and active participation of women in the decision-making level of media organization is very low. Very few women are holding decision making level in private media organization. Only an estimated 14 percent of women are working in the media sector.

In the present context, out of 13 members, there is only one woman in Press Council as a board member. No board members in Nepal Television, Gorkhapatra, Radio Nepal and Rashtriya Samachar Samiti (RSS - State owned media). The mushrooming of FM Radio stations has provided job opportunities to women journalists and it has increased their participation in media programs. Representation of women and men is fairly equal in the voiceovers that we hear and news anchors we see on the screen. However, when it comes to reporting, the men represent almost 99 percent. Though women do the reporting on women’s issues, they are assigned for ‘soft issues’ such as culture, art and lifestyle but not ‘hard issues’ like politics, conflict, security, economy etc. However, those who are reporting in ‘hard issues’ are doing well.

Presentation of women in the audio and audio-visual programme is about 80 percent. Women are presented in a stereotyped way or as ‘show pieces’. On top of this, the practice of visualizing songs has tremendously increased, almost always featuring women, whether there is any need to feature a woman or not. Women participation is roughly 70 percent in entertainment programs but in the case of behind the scene acts; call it direction, script writing and other technical jobs, men command nearly 99 percent of their say. An advertiser is found to be making the most of women and children to sell a product. Women’s portrayal is high in the advertisement of soap, shampoo, snacks, toothpaste and other things. It is strange to see that portrayal of women is made in the advertisement of products that are not of use for women like a razor blade, shaving cream or men’s undergarments.

Despite these bitter facts, women journalists who work in various media are still in miserable situations in Nepal as they are much less in number than men and almost all the media are owned by men. They face various kind of discrimination within their media house due to lack of gender friendly working environment. On the other hand, women’s issue have not come out as mainstream news since women representation in decision making level is low or limited and there are very few women in media who do highlight the pressing issues the women face. There are still no women spokespersons in government level, within political parties, Nepal Army, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) etc, who are the important actors of peace process. And people have stereotypical mindset that prevents women to come forward. These are the causes that have suppressed women to come out in forefront.

Posted on : 2010-01-16 15:43:42

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