Women in Nepal have faced many challenges. Trafficking of women and girls from Nepal is a major problem, with thousands being trafficked each year into India, Pakistan, and other countries for forced prostitution. Historically, women had low participation in Nepal's political and economic sectors, though democratic reforms in the 1990s have allowed greater involvement. However, women still hold far less than half of political positions. Education levels and social status can vary between ethnic groups. Most rural women play traditional roles in households and agriculture but earn less than men when employed.

1. WOMEN OF NEPAL
By Shelby D.

2. Introduction to Myself
My name is Shelby.
I am a History Major.
I am 19 and next fall will be my Sophomore year at
MSUM.
I am from Stillwater, MN

3. History of Nepalese
Women
Women’s Foundation in Nepal was formed in 1988.
During the 1980s, participation of women in Nepal's
political and economic sectors was very low.

4. Major Problems
Nepal is one of the largest suppliers of women and children to be
trafficked into places such as India, Eastern Europe and Saudi Arabia.
“More than 9,000 girls are trafficked each year from Nepal and Bangladesh into bondage in India and
Pakistan.” (http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news/press/releases/22_april_1998-0.shtml, 22 April 1998)
“Every year around 10,000 Nepalese girls, most between the age of nine and 16, are sold to brothels in
India.” (Tim McGirk, "Nepal's Lost Daughters, India's soiled goods," Nepal/India:News, 27 January 1997)
“7,000 Nepalese women and girls trafficked for prostitution to the Asia Pacific area.” (Statement of the CATW -
Asia Pacific and Philippine Women's Groups, 4th International Congress on AIDS in the Asia Pacific, 29 October 1997)
“5,000 Nepalese women are trafficked into India yearly. There are now 100,000 Nepalese women in India in
prostitution.” (CATW - Asia Pacific, Trafficking in Women and Prostitution in the Asia Pacific)
“More than 200,000 Nepalese girls are involved in the Indian sex trade.” (Tim McGirk "Nepal's Lost Daughters,
'India's soiled goods," Nepal/India News, 27 January 1997)”

5. Current Political Role
After democratic reforms of the 1990’s women have
become more involved in politics, yet they are still far
from 50 percent of the vote.
In 1997 20% of local Government posts were reserved
for women
Able to be recruited into army

6. Ethnic Group Status of
Women
Tibeto-Nepalese women have a better status than
Pahari and Newari Women

7. Role of Women in Nepal
Most women play the traditional role in the household
planting and harvesting.
Their wages tend to be 25% less than men when
employed.
Education tends to be class based rather than sex
based.

8. Bibliography
29, Kamala SarupJanuary. "The Political Role of Nepalese Women - Worldpress.org." Worldpress.org - World News From World Newspapers. Web. 11
June 2010. <http://www.worldpress.org/Asia/3489.cfm#down>.
Brothercake.com, BrotherCake-. The Women's Foundation of Nepal. Web. 10 June 2010. <http://www.womenepal.org/history_animating_principles.html>.
National Democratic Institute For International Affairs. "Quarterly Report NEPAL: INCREASING WOMEN’S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION USAID
Cooperative Agreement No. 367-A-00-01-00129-00." National Democratic Institute For International Affairs (2002). Http://pdf.dec.org/pdf_docs/
Pdabw240.pdf. National Democratic Institute For International Affairs, Mar.-Apr. 2002. Web. 10 June 2010.
"Nepal - Facts on Trafficking and Prostitution." The University of Rhode Island. Web. 11 June 2010. <http://www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/nepal.htm>.
"Nepal: The Political Role of Nepalese Women | International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics)." International Knowledge
Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics) | IKNOW Politics. Web. 11 June 2010. <http://www.iknowpolitics.org/node/20246>.
"Women in Nepal." Agnosticism / Atheism - Free Inquiry, Skepticism, Atheism, Religious Philosophy. Web. 10 June 2010. <http://atheism.about.com/library/
world/KZ/bl_NepalWomen.htm>.