| In recent years,
migration has become increasingly predominant,
with an increasing number of Nepalis migrating
not only to the common destination of India, but
also further abroad to countries such as Israel,
Malaysia and Japan. Economic reasons are the primary
forces of migration, including lack of food, lack
of employment, and lack of land, rather than any
desire to 'see the world' or visit big cities.
Higher wage rates, employment opportunities and
labour scarcity in receiving areas also attract
people to migrate. The gender discrimination that
is prevalent in education, health services and
nutrition are also some of the reasons that women
leave their villages. A large number of people
also migrate within Nepal, to other towns or cities
where there are more extensive work opportunities
available.
Historically, it has been men who migrate while
women have been left at home with an increased
burden of work. Observing the increase in status
and the positive benefits that come with migration,
women have been motivated to increase their standard
of living and improve their lives. However, women
have also been increasingly pressed to migrate
to escape poverty, discrimination and gender-based
violence. Because female migration has always
been publicly scrutinized and disapproved of because
of traditional gender roles which prescribe women's
place as in the home, women are often forced to
take clandestine means to migrate, making women
vulnerable to trafficking.
During the past few years, Nepal has been experiencing
escalating political conflict arising from struggles
between the Maoist party and the varying levels
of government. This conflict has had a profound
effect on all communities, particularly the rural
communities where approximately 85 percent of
the population resides, creating social, political
and economic uncertainty, instability and insecurity.
Although the conflict has arisen in the political
sphere, it has had serious consequences for the
economic and social situation of communities,
and of the country as a whole. While migration
has always been intertwined with the history of
Nepal, the conflict situation has led to a drastic
increase in migration and has altered the reasons
for migration. Typically, individuals or families
have migrated in search of a better life or a
more secure means of livelihood. However, now
individuals, families and communities are being
displaced forcefully, because they fear for their
own safety, or because their communities are no
longer able to provide a sustainable means of
income generation due to the rising instability.
Migration may have a positive effect on both
sending and receiving countries, opening up new
possibilities of social, cultural and economic
benefits. Migrants who return to their communities
often bring new skills and a new world outlook
while remittances may contribute to the development
of the country. However, migration may also have
negative outcomes, such as when migrating persons
end up being trafficked. As the trends of migration
only continue to increase with the impacts of
globalization and deeper economic interdependence,
it is vital that governments, NGOs, communities
and individuals work together to widen migration
opportunities and ensure safe migration that ensures
the human rights of all migrants. |
