Karnali Daughters Conference Concludes with 10-Point Declaration

Surkhet. The second edition of the 'Karnali Daughters Conference' has concluded with the issuance of a 10-point declaration. 

The conference, which ran for two days on Saturday and Sunday in the provincial capital Birendranagar, was organized by Jyoti Foundation in coordination with the Social Development Ministry of the Karnali government.

This time, the conference extensively discussed issues such as gender and caste discrimination, violence against women, child marriage, domestic violence, menstrual hygiene, and Chhaupadi, said Jyoti Katuwal, chairperson of the foundation.
Daughters from all 79 local levels of Karnali, as well as from endangered and marginalized communities, participated in the Daughters Conference.

This time, discussions were held among daughters from each district under the title 'Daughters' Thoughts' about the situation of daughters in the districts. During this, most daughters stated that the way society views daughters has not yet transformed.

In this, daughters from all ten districts debated with the conclusion that daughters should be given basic rights along with opportunities. The discussion highlighted the prevailing discrimination in society, the perspective towards women, and the struggles faced by women in Dolpa district in the fields of education and health.

The conference concluded that child marriage, gender discrimination, and superstitions are still hindering the bright future of daughters in Karnali. 'It is demanded that strategies and action plans be formulated and implemented with the provincial and local governments to end child marriage,' the declaration states. 

Concern was expressed at the conference that 33 percent of women in Karnali are still illiterate. Karnali Province Chief Yagyaraj Joshi said that the governments at all three levels should be made responsible for making illiterate women literate and empowered.

In the conference, discussions were held among women politicians who have reached local leadership positions, women in high administrative positions, and active women in journalism under titles such as 'Daughters in Governance', 'Mirrors of Inspiration', 'Daughters in the Light of Knowledge', and 'Voices of the Voiceless'. They shared information about their struggles, sacrifices, and the social awareness of their respective times.
Mohanmaya Dhakal, mayor of Birendranagar Municipality, stated that inclusive development is not possible without the decisive participation of women.

This is the 'Karnali Daughters Conference-083' (Second Edition) Declaration

The Karnali Daughters Conference 2083 (Second Edition) was held on Jestha 16 and 17 in Birendranagar, the capital of Karnali Province, organized by Shri Jyoti Foundation in collaboration and coordination with the Social Development Ministry of Karnali Province. Based on the suggestions of the daughters of Karnali from the two-day program, a 10-point Karnali Declaration has been made public.

1. Child marriage, gender discrimination, and superstitions are still hindering the bright future of daughters in Karnali. It is demanded that strategies and action plans be formulated and implemented with the provincial and local governments to end child marriage.

2. It is demanded from the concerned bodies to fully implement the laws of the federal, provincial, and local governments to make menstruation dignified and safe by completely eradicating discriminatory and harmful practices related to menstruation.

3. It is demanded to arrange for menstrual hygiene services and necessary materials by providing menstrual leave rooms in schools and community organizations.

4. It is demanded that the Karnali Province Government and all 79 local levels operate daughter-specific scholarship programs for the higher education of daughters and make the ongoing programs systematic and effective.

5. It is demanded from the governments at all three levels to build quality and inclusive physical infrastructure in community and institutional schools.

6. It is demanded for effective legal, educational, and structural reforms to end violence and abuse due to the misuse of technology.

7. It is demanded to promote adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health education, necessary information centers and services, and life skills and transformative education at school and community levels.

8. It is demanded to take immediate initiative for the reconstruction of schools destroyed by the earthquake centered in Ramidanda, Jajarkot on Kartik 17, 2080, and to make effective arrangements for teaching and learning.

9. It is demanded to conduct promotional activities in all local levels and community levels to create an environment for daughters to participate in sports and extracurricular activities.

10. It is reiterated to the concerned parties to implement the points of the declaration issued from the Karnali Daughters Conference (First Edition) held on Baisakh 27, 28, and 29, 2082.