(This article was published in book titled “ A Journey towards Empowerment and The status of Single Women in Nepal” published by WHR and launched in International Conference 2010 A.D.)

In the context of Nepal, internal displacement is not new and has been historically recorded. The main causes of displacement are due to development reasons, including economic opportunities, and natural and human-made disasters.
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are “…persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized State border.” While there are different reasons for the displacement of people, historically development projects and natural disasters have been identified as the main contributors and a lack of physical or political security have also induced displacement.
Though historically many reasons of internally displacement were recorded, conflict induced displacement is a relatively new phenomenon that started in 1996 when the internal armed conflict began. The “people’s war” launched by the CPN Maoist Party thus accelerated the out-flux of people from their original place of habitat to the immediate urban centers such as district headquarters and other urban centers like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Nepalgunj.
Table 1: IDP figures collected from various sources and documents since 2003
IDP figure Source Date Comment/ limitation
35,000-50,000 OCHA March 2008 Estimate of agencies working with IDPs
25,000 Government of Nepal January
2008 Based only on compensation applications
50,000-70,000 OCHA July 2007 Estimate of the IDP Protection Group
38,000 Government of Nepal August 2006 Sourced to NHRC,2006
212,985-272,600 Caritas August 2006 Only covers IDPs living in district headquarters
At least 100,000 CHR January 2006 Between 100,000 and a few hundred thousands
18,666 Ministry of Home Affairs July 2005 Only includes those displaced by Maoists
17,583 SCA and CCWB July 2005 No. of children migrating to India between July-Oct. 2004
More than 60,000 NMVA August 2004 IDPs in Kathmandu displaced by Maoists
500,000 EC and RRN April 2003 Includes forced migration to India
80,000 UNDP/RUPP January 2003 Only covers 2001-2003.Extra migration to urban areas
Source: IDMC 2008

As one of the consequences of conflict, displacement has serious negative impacts on people’s lives. Many civilians caught between Maoists and the state security forces are forced to flee their homes for protection and security. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) were targets of killings, forced recruitment, abductions, extortions and other human rights violations. In particular, the killing of people was one of the terrible consequences of the conflict and in the process many adult males were killed, leaving behind their wives who thus became widows.
Maoists suddenly came to her house at midnight and killed her husband. They destroyed her house by bombing it and forced the family to leave, threatening them to kill them all. This led to the end of her married life – she was just 22. Today she is living with her family as a displaced single woman (widow) in Kathmandu after leaving her place of origin in Bardiya. Currently she is working as staff in one organization because she is literate however she finds it really tough to survive. She is worried about the nurture and education of her daughter and struggling for her survival.
IDPs are overwhelmed by economic, social and psychological problems. They are often traumatized due to the loss of their homes, property and death of or threats to family members. In addition, they are settling into new and often hostile surroundings (temporary or permanent) and typically face no immediate relief of rehabilitation and have to contend with the difficulty of adaptation. Every day is a battle for survival without food and proper accommodation. The impact of conflict on women and girls has been noticeable greater than the impact on men and boys, largely due to gender specific violence and various forms of discrimination, which is multiplied in conflict situations. While women experience marginalized status in Nepalese society, women IDPs are even more marginalized in terms of socio-economic and cultural conditions. Displaced women, and especially female heads of households such as widows, are at increased risk of abuse, exploitation, coercion and manipulation because of their gender and status. Girls and women are more vulnerable than boys and men to mistreatment and recruitment by traffickers and armed factions. These women IDPs may lack the assertiveness required to stand up for themselves and say “no” to risky situations. Due to the Nepali social structure these women tend to see older men as protectors and providers without understanding the risks involved. Women who stay in their place of origin also suffer due to the conflict. Emigration and recruitment of men into Maoist cadres or security forces as well as the killing of male family members by Maoists and security forces have increased the burden on women. Some of the tasks that are traditionally performed by men have fallen upon women, many of which have become the heads of households.
Indeed, children and women are the worst affected. As a result of the massive migration of men abroad in search of jobs or due to the death of husbands during the conflict, many female- headed households are emerging. Many of these women are turning to prostitution, being trafficked or are performing menial jobs to look after their family. In addition, they face discrimination and harassment on a daily basis due to their single (widow) status in a society that remains conservative and patriarchal.
In most communities affected by conflict, the displaced often find it difficult to go back and restart their lives as most have lost property and income. Single women (widows) and female-headed households may find returning and restarting even more difficult due to limited economic rights of women and lack of legal documentation. Displaced single women (widows) living in urban centers face significant risks to their safety and well-being. Their mobility further decreases due to discriminating social and cultural norms.
Women for Human Rights single women group (WHR) has registered more than 800 conflict affected displaced single women (widows). WHR since its establishment had well documentation of the reports and survey through various projects, workshops and research. The flyer produced by WHR documented that 67.9% of these women are displaced to a different community, thus severing ties from their cultural backgrounds. 35.7 % are between the ages of 25-30 years old. These women are often forced to share a small room with 3-4 children, living in unhygienic conditions with inadequate clean drinking water and sanitation. 82.9% of these women are living in economic crisis, having extreme difficulty feeding themselves and their children.
Findings from a study conducted by myself with 28 displaced women in Kathmandu also showed that the number of respondents in the capital were victims of human rights violations from both the Maoists and state security forces. The majority of respondents were single women (widows) whose husbands had been killed in the conflict situation. It was found that out of the total respondents 60.7% were single women (widows). Most of the respondents followed Hinduism and a minority were Christians. A minority of women did not follow any religion stating that they did not trust any religion after the incidents that had occurred and the suffering they faced. The study also revealed that after displacement, the cohesion among family members disintegrated resulting in the dispersion of the family although most remained as nuclear families.
The killing of family members was the major cause of immediate displacement while severe threats to family members belonging to the army, police and government officials also resulted in a high rate of displacement. Following these, the killing of family members, severe threats, abduction of self or family members, physical and sexual violence or confiscation of property were also listed as causes of displacement. It was found that single women (widows) in the urban center following their displacement faced numerous difficulties including their security, social status, economic opportunities, and cultural adaptation, among others. Furthermore, the compensation they receive is not uniform or equitable and indeed, it is not sufficient. The compensation differs in range and type based on whether a family belongs to the security forces, is civilian, etc.
The death of the husband rated as the highest number of incident causing displacement. Displaced single women (widows) in the urban center have the most difficulties meeting their basic needs for themselves and their families, including affording education for their children. In addition, they face societal harassment. When respondents were asked whether they would like to return to their original community or settle in a new place, half of them wanted to return to their original community. They face many hardships living in the city and since most of the respondents have property back in their place of origin they wanted to return, stating that survival is easier there. The other half of respondents who stated that they did not want to return to their villages cited reasons such as a lack of proper schooling and education provisions, the absence of adequate infrastructure, insecurity and the society within the village. Indeed, the problems women face are far more difficult in comparison to those faced by men.
Respondents listed educational support for their children and employment opportunities for themselves as the most urgent support required. Basic needs, housing and security were also a priority. Some respondents stated that they do not have awareness regarding the legal provision and thus they needed legal service without any difficulties and counseling to boost their confidence. After being displaced, the single women (widows) respondents were engaged in some sort of livelihood, however a number reported difficulties relating to their work. At the time of the interview, 18% complained that they did not receive sufficient revenue for their services, 22% had to endure physical harassment, 11% faced sexual harassment, and 18% faced other problems. The following story highlights some of the difficulties displaced single women (widows) face.
A group discussion with displaced single women (widows) from civilian families and security force families reveals the feelings and thoughts of these women on the pressing issues.
“Only sending IDPs to their origin is not the solution the concerned authority especially the government should guarantee about their livelihood and security.”
“We were taught to drive, I possess license also but almost all of us with license do not have any job of driving. Training is not the remedy we need to get job for the livelihood.”
“First economic ability to fulfill basic needs, then only we can think of cultural preservation through practicing of rituals. Mental stress and economic burden provides us no time to think about the preservation of culture.”
“The government is biased regarding the treatment and services towards family of civilians unlike the family of security forces whether Police or Army.”
“I wish the family of the displaced civilians also get the facilities like ours because the pain and agony of displacement due to various reasons is similar. I know the compensation we are getting is not enough at all but it is of great support in this hard time.”
These statements clearly indicate that the situation of former IDPs can no longer be ignored but rather should be dealt with using proper mechanisms. Government level policies and those organizations working with IDPs have varied definitions and areas of work. The government policy clearly discriminates between IDPs who have been directly affected by conflict. However, the reasons why people fled from their homes and villages are varied and not necessarily because of the killing of family members, forced abductions or compulsion to leave home. Many left home out of fear of prosecution by both sides in the conflict. A number of organizations working for IDPs also define IDPs as victims of conflict or conflict affected person. Moreover, the range and variation of what constitutes an internally displaced person (IDP) differs among various independent studies carried out by different organizations. However, the full magnitude of the problems and necessities can be known and explored only after the number of the IDPs has been established. From such data the number of women IDPs could be derived, and more specifically the marital status of these women. This is particularly important given that the statistics of WHR reveal that there are 3,907 single women registered within the single women networks who are widows as a result of the conflict and a significant number are living the life of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
According to Head of Department of Compensation and Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Peace and Reconciliation, the government has made policy on different package for displaced persons, orphans, single women who lost husband to conflict, injured persons and those with lost /damaged property. However he mentioned that this information is not in published form and is still under the process. The other fact is the support and provision was not made in consultation with related to civil society or the person concerned.

The allocation and disbursement of funds to IDPs is questionable. Both the government and organizations express the need for systematic and detailed research regarding identification and location of IDPs. It is clear that the increasing number of IDPs is not just short term on the basis of several years of displacement. The support provided should not just support for namesake rather it should be incorporated with skills and proper livelihood. Special attention should be given to female IDPs who are without education or skills and are still bearing the chief responsibility of making a livelihood in urban centers. Many single women (widows) have been unable to access education chiefly due to geographical inaccessibility but also because of societal barriers. Further, geographical inaccessibility often results in poor economic condition and increased vulnerability.
For effective responses to displacement, recognition of the reality of displaced people and the formulation of successful programs, women’s concerns need to be incorporated. Indeed, in the design of programs to rehabilitate and resettle IDPs who are also single women (widows), more consideration needs to be given to women generally and single women specifically. There is certainly a strong need for greater participation of displaced single women (widows) in public life.