POVERTY IN MYPOVERTY IN MYPOVERTY IN MY POVERTY IN MY OWN CONTEXTOWN CONTEXTOWN CONTEXTOWN CONTEXT

By Manoj BhusalDegree Programme in Social Services (DSS C23)DIACONIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDIACONIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESJärvenpää UnitJärvenpääntie 640, 04400 JÄRVENPÄÄ- FINLAND

Introduction/ Personal experiences

Sociologists distinguish between relative and absolutepoverty. Absolute poverty occurs when people fail top y p y p preceive sufficient resources to support a minimum ofphysical health and efficiency, often expressed in termscalories or nutritional levels. Relative poverty is definedb h l d d f l d ffby the general standards of living in different societiesand what is culturally defined as being poor rather thansome absolute level of deprivation.(The PenguinDictionary of Sociology)Dictionary of Sociology)

Poverty : The Greatest Enemy of Humanity

POVERTY IN NEPAL: A HARSH REALITY

Poverty has become a Nepali identity

Today, over 9 million people (35% of the total population) areestimated to be living under the poverty line, who earn lessth 1 USD/dthan 1 USD/day

Poverty is decreasing, but the pace is slow

Poverty in Nepal is mainly a rural phenomenon

Of the total poor, over 90% live in rural areas

Terai30%mountains

40%

Poverty Incidence in different ecological zones

p ,

hills30%

40%

Poverty is more intense in the mountains in comparison to hills & the Tereilow caste and Indigenous communities, ethnic minorities and women suffer moreethnic minorities and women suffer more from povertyPeople involved in agricultural activity arePeople involved in agricultural activity are more prone to be poor

Poverty: a political or an economic issue?F d li i l d di ib iFeudalistic land distribution system

- 24.4% of households do not own any land in Nepal

Traditional agricultural practicesl h lComplex Geographical Structure

High rate of population growth (2.24% per annum)

Low economic growth (average GDP growth rate 4%/yr)Low economic growth (average GDP growth rate 4%/yr)

Unemployment (4.7%) & Underemployment (47%)

Centralized structure of income distributionLack of inclusive & pro-poor policies Globalization

Poor living conditionsL d l t tLow development parametersYouth delinquencies, CrimePopulation GrowthMass MigrationCivil War Social Fragmentation g

State centered Poverty alleviation approachesA i lt l P ti Pl S t P f P t All i ti P t All i ti F d (PAF) Bi h h P t Agricultural Perspective Plan Support Programme for Poverty Alleviation, Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF), Bisheshwor Poverty Alleviation Program, Integrated Rural Development Programme, Coordination, Supporting, Monitoring etc.

NGO/INGO centered poverty alleviation approaches Skill development trainings, establishment of saving and credit groups, technical and financial support to local villages and

it d l t it b ildi t community development groups, capacity building programmes etc.

Community Centered Poverty alleviation approaches Community groups are formed, they identify their problems and seek viable solutions themselves such as micro credits etc. State and non-governmental sector also provide support to strengthen such activities.

Market Centered Poverty alleviation approachesFinancial or corporate institutions invest in several sectors and provide employment opportunities. Some are also providing easy credit facilities for farmers or small industry operators.

Poverty should be seen more as a political issue andless as a economic or growth problemless as a economic or growth problem.

Land distribution should be radically reformed andth h i f f d li h ld b di tl dthe chains of feudalism should be dismantled.

The poor should be empowered and bottom-to-updevelopment approaches should be ratified instead ofconventional development or anti-povertyapproaches.

Rural industrialization should be promoted andmodernization in agriculture should be a must.g

Policies and institutions should be inclusive andPolicies and institutions should be inclusive and pro-poor.

Rule of law should be exercised and democraticRule of law should be exercised and democratic norms and rules should be promoted.

R l t h ld b d i d dRelevant programmes should be designed and conducted for low population growth and high economic progress.

Ample employment opportunities should be created within the country and increasing brain-drain incidences should be stoppeddrain incidences should be stopped.

The End