Grade:10 ( Social Studies) Unit: 4 Social Problems and Solutions

Unit: 4 Social Problems and Solutions

4.1 Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking: An Introduction
Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act:, 2064 has clearly defined following illegal and punishable acts  under Human Trafficking:
-         To sell or purchase a person for any purpose.
-         To use someone into prostitution with or without any benefits.
-         To extract human organs except otherwise determined by law.
-         To go for in prostitution.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)-1948 and Palermo Protocol of United Nations-2000, Istanbul Declaration-2008 are effective as instrumental laws against human trafficking in the world.

Reasons or causes of Human Trafficking:

i) Illiteracy and ignorance
ii) Poverty
iii)Unemployment
iv) Political instability and lawlessness
v) Economic Temptation
 
Some more prevalent forms of human trafficking in Nepal are discussed below:
Types of Human Trafficking

A. Children Trafficking:
Child trafficking is a trading of children aiming to exploit them as domestic slaves, illegal labour, and drug traffickers, exploit sexually, or work in circus. The trafficked children are misused in 3D jobs (Dirty, Difficult, Dangerous) like begging, sexual pleasure for adults and for domestic slavery.
Ways to stop Child Trafficking:
-         High security
-         Provide education
-         Awareness programmes.
-         Frequent monitoring in hotels and industries by the government.
-         Active participation of Non-government agencies.

B. Girl Trafficking
Buying and selling of girls and women for the sake of prostitution, bonded labour or for the illegal purposes is called girl trafficking. More often, poor and ignorant girls are lured in the name of good job and good life in the cities and foreign countries. According to UNICEF, about 7000 Nepali girls and women are sold to India every year where as more than 13000 women and children are being trafficked to other countries including India every year.
Reasons of Girl trafficking in Nepal:
-         False temptation
-          Illiteracy
-         Unemployment
-         Poverty
-         Betrayal
-         Open border
The organizations like Maiti Nepal and AATWIN are working to control girl trafficking in Nepal.

Long term solutions to girl trafficking are:
-         Awareness programmes.
-         Provide education.
-         Media publication.
-         Employment opportunities.
-         Strict law.
-          Harsh punishment to brokers.

C. Human Organ Trafficking

Very important inner organs of human beings such as kidney, liver, cornea, lung etc illegally obtained and traded for the purpose of transplantation is known as organ trafficking. Among the total transplantation in the world, about 42% is estimated to be done through organ trade.
The Istanbul Declaration held in 2008 AD on ‘Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism’ tried to restrict international trade of organs and ‘transplant tourism.
 
 
 
 
 
 

4.2 Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence: An Introduction

According to Domestic Violence (Crime and Punishment) Act-2066, domestic violence is any form of physical, mental sexual and economic harm committed by a person to a person with whom  s/he has a family relationship and his word includes any acts of severe or emotional harm.
It can take a number of forms including physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious and sexual abuse.

Effects of Domestic Violence:
-         Physical injuries such as cuts, fractures, scrap etc.
-         Psychological problems to the victim.
-         Negative impacts on family members, particularly on children and senior citizens.
-         Downfall of family status/ prestige.
-         No harmony and peace in the family.
-         Chance of breakup in relationship.
-         Chance of involve in drug abuse and commit suicide and so on.

 Prime Ways to Control Domestic Violence:
-         Understanding the feelings of others.
-         Maintain unity in the family.
-         Avoid greediness for properties.
-         Take the decision with the consent of the family.
-         Empowerment to the women.
-         Mass awareness.
-         In case of violence, inform the concerned authority.

 
Untouchability
Untouchability is a caste-based practice in which a social hierarchy is maintained and people divided into different castes as higher castes and lower castes on the basis of their work. Although revised Mulki Ain of 2020 BS, stated it as a state crime and declared it an illegal, other constitution also declared it as punishable, it still exists in Nepali societies.

Effects of Untouchability and Discrimination:
-          It raises feelings of inferiority and superiority among people.
-         Opportunity that so-called high caste and low caste get are unequal.
-         There is lack of coordination, cooperation and fraternity in society.
-         Society gets divided due to these problems.
-         There is distrust, conflict and disunity in society, too.

Measures on solving Untouchability:
-         Provide education to illiterate people.
-         Mass awareness is needed so that untouchability can be eradicated.
-         Enforce the laws strictly and provide severe punishment to practitioners.
-         Special provisions like positive discrimination, social security etc. should be promoted.
-         Don’t treat Dalit’s issues as political issues.
-         Provide vocational trainings and jobs to the targeted groups.

 
 

4.3 Some Bad Customs of Nepal

1.Deuki Pratha

Deuki is an ancient custom practiced in the far western regions of Nepal where a young girl is offered to the local temple. This practice is in decline.

It is done to please god and get blessing from him.

The girl is offered and is not allowed to get married. This evil practice has violated women's rights.

Some poor families sold their daughters to wealthier couples seeking protection and good favour from the God. They are also relieved of the burden of finding husbands for their daughters.

Four problems created by Deuki System are:

i. The human rights  of Deuki has been violated.

ii. Deuki has been isolated from the society.

iii. Deuki has become  deprived of education.

iv. The family members of Deuki also gets suffered.

2. Jhuma Pratha

There is a tradition of offering the second daughter to the monastery in the Himalayan region of Nepal.

Such girls have to spend whole life in cleaning and taking care of her Gumba. like Deuki Pratha, she also can not exercise any of her rights and she is not permitted to marry as well.

3.Chhaupadi Pratha

Chhaupadi Pratha is a tradition practiced by girls and women in Nepal during menstruation. According to this tradition,  women are kept in the the cow shed of a separate place for 13 days during their first period and for 5–7 days of each month during menstruation for the rest of their lives. 

People think that women on their period are impure and can’t perform daily activities. It’s believed that if the rules aren’t followed, the Hindu Gods will be angry and put curses on the family. 

When the rules are broken, a big ceremony needs to happen and the girl or woman must apologize to the Gods by saying that she won’t do this again and promising to follow the rules in the future. Oftentimes, an animal such as a chicken or goat in sacrificed to honor the Gods.

This tradition is followed strictly in the far western and mid-western districts but it is observed across the entire country. When women stay in the shed, they are only provided with a small gundri (a thin mat made of straw) or a thin-layered rug. The reason bed sheets and blankets aren’t given is that the family wouldn’t be able to use them again. 

4. Ghumto Pratha

Ghumto Pratha is the system covering head by married woman is called gumto system. The literal meaning of Gumto is veil which is used to cover the face by married women in order not to show their faces to other males expert their husbands. It is unnecessary burden to the women which is against human right.

This custom prevails in eastern and middle Terai region of Nepal.

5. Dowry (Daijo Pratha)

Dowry system is a practice of giving money or property or some kinds of special gifts at the marriage of a daughter by the father to bridegroom or bridegroom's family. 

In Nepal as in many parts of Southeast Asia, the tradition of requiring a bride's family to provide a dowry is illegal but its practice is common.  

 
Causes of Dowry System
·         It is a tradition.
·         Greedy Groom families demand it. 
·         Bride family want to give it.
·         To build a reputation in society. 
·         Illiteracy. 
·         Ignorance of anti-dowry laws. 
·         Domestic violence against women.
·         Financial burden.
 
Dowry system a social problem:
Dowry system is a social dilemma in the sense it is mostly prevalent in Nepalese community especially in the Terai region ceremonies where the bridegroom commands money or assets from the parents of the bride. 

Due to this practice, the bride has to bear the enormous expense to persuade the unreasonable desires of the family of the boy.
In 2009, Nepal enacted the Evil Social Customs and Practices Abolition Act outlawing dowry.
The dowry system refers to the durable goods, cash, and real or movable property that the bride's family gives to the groom, his parents and his relatives as a condition of the marriage. It  is referred to as Dahez in Arabic.

 

4.4 Role of International Organizations

Red Cross Society

Red Cross Society is one of the largest international voluntary social organizations established on 26^th October 1863 by a benevolent Swiss doctor and businessperson Jean Henry Dunant for which he was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 AD.

The death and injuries of around 40000 soldiers held between Austria and the alliance of France and Italy was witnessed by Dunant which alarmed his heart to do something for the sake of human beings and he consequently mobilized women, children and other people to better the condition of battlefield and got it improved within 5 weeks.

He returned to Switzerland, he wrote a book ‘A Memory of Solferino’ and published it in 1862 stating his intention to help the victims during war and natural calamities. In 1863, the delegates of 16 countries responding to Dunant’s appeal assembled in Geneva and established Red Cross Society.

Activities and Functions:
Five major functions or activities of RCS:
1. Disaster Relief and First Aid
2. Health Camps and Awareness
3. Refugees Assistance
4. Tracing Agency (Recording the number of people missing and uniting)
5. Mediation (Mediator between two rival groups) and supervision (rescue operation).
At present, around 189 countries are the members of Red Cross Society. In Nepal, Nepal Red Cross Society was established in 2020 BS at Tahachal, Kathmandu.

Functions of Nepal Red Cross Society:
-         It provides first aid training to the youths.
-         It provides blood to the poor and disabled patients free of cost and other needy people, too.
-         It collects blood by conducting blood donation programmes time and again.
-         It provides food, clothes, shelter for the victims of natural calamities like flood, landslide, earthquake etc.
-         It provides medical services to the victims of war, riot or during protest programme.
-         It conducts child welfare programmes, family planning or primary healthcare.
-         It provides ambulances to the rural area to facilitate in the treatment of common people.
-         It provides medicines to poor people of free of cost and inspires others to serve the victims.

Scout

Scout is a noble voluntary organization founded by an Englishman Robert Stephenson Smith Baden Powell (a British army officer) in 1907 AD by developing the sense of group-work, benevolence, leadership, responsibility and nationality among people.
At present, it consists of more than 65 millions active scouts from 192 countries of the world.
Activities and Functions:
-         To train and develop the leadership skills among the youths.
-         To control and manage mob.
-         To rescue people during natural calamities or war.
-         To distribute drinking water and provide first aid services during feast, fair and urgency.
-         To carry out tree plantation and environment cleanliness programmes.
-         To conduct awareness programmes on various issues.
Scout in Nepal:
In Nepal, it was established in 1952 AD (2009 BS). The meaning of its logo is duty towards God and country, others and one’s own life. Girls wear green skirt or saree and boys wear dark brown pants and light brown shirts with different scarf as per to their company. In Nepal, both boys and girls are called Scout. The government of Nepal passed the scout law in 2050BS to regulate its activities.

Scout Activities in Nepal:
-         It controls crowd and distributes drinking water during religious, social and national festivals.
-         It provides first aid services to the injured or wounded people.
-         It rescues and reliefs during natural calamities like earthquake, flood, fire, landslides etc.
-         It conducts tree plantation, cleaning street and other environment conservations programmes.
-         It conducts awareness programmes on various social issues education, health, sanitation etc.
-         It provides training to the youth to develop their leadership skill.

Save Our Soul (SOS)

SOS is a humanitarian organization for children, was established by an Austrian professor Dr. Herman Gmeiner in 1949 AD due to effect of the Second World War. It is also called Children’s Villages referring to the pleading voice of the orphans, helpless, disable and homeless children.

There are number of houses in each SOS village where five boys and five girls of different age group live in each village with their mother.

The SOS children village in Nepal was established in Sano Thimi, Bhaktapur in 2028 BS.

Functions and Activities of SOS:
-         It provides food, shelter, education, and other facilities to the homeless, helpless and needy children.
-         It provides scholarship for higher education to the selected students.
-         It looks after children having deformities and provides treatment.
-         It provides vocational training to students and makes them independent.
-         It protects the interests and rights of children.

 
 

 

 

 

4.5 Some Other International Organizations Working in Nepal

International Organizations	Key Activities
1. Plan International Nepal-	-To provide education to the children of poor and backward children. -Provide assistance in constructing the school buildings, distributing textbooks and stationery items. - To launch programmes related to child rights, educational awareness and personality development of the school children. - To work to reduce mortality rate of the mothers and new born babies.
2. Danish International Development Agency  (DANIDA)	-To provide training to the disabled (blind and deaf) for developing self-dependency. -To teach them sign language and assists to find jobs. - To develop capacity and self-reliance of disable people.
3.International Labour Organization (ILO)	-To eliminate all the forms of child labour. -To formulate labour’s law and policy.  - To launch various programmes against child labour. - To promote and protect rights of the labourers.
4.Norwagian Agency for International Development (NORAD)	- To provide free legal service to the poor Nepalese women to enable them to claim their social, political and economic rights. - To work to modernize education. - To protect women rights.
5.International Nepal Fellowship (INF)	-To work on to liberate the drug addicts and their rehabilitation. - To control leprosy, HIV/AIDS, TB etc. -To launch various awareness programmes against drug addiction.
6.International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)	- To help to conserve and promote biodiversity. - To assist economically and technically to conserve the breeding species of flora and fauna. -To work against environmental degradation.
7. Directorate General for International Service (DGIS)	- To support bonded labourers(Kamaiyas) and destitute people. -To contribute for the management of garbage in the Kathmandu valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.6 Identification of Social Problems and their Solutions

Types of Social Problems:
The social problems or evils prevailing in our country can be categorized in following types:
1. Region-based: Social problems and evils prevailing in particular geographical areas can be grouped under this. For instance, Dowry system in Terai, Jhuma  Pratha in the Himalayan region and child labour mainly in urban areas.
2. Language-based:
Those lingual groups not having command over Nepali language (lack of fluency in Nepali) are deprived of participating in different government services due to lack of it. Although the constitution treats all languages and dialects as national language.
3. Gender-based:
There is domination of male over female in our societies. Likewise, third gender people are negatively talked and insulted.
Though laws are made equal for all but are not implemented effectively.
4. Class-based:
There is shameful gap between rich and poor due to  unequal distribution of land and other resources which result various social problems like revolt, robbery, vandalism, social insecurity, murder etc.
Solutions to the Problems:
-         Launch awareness campaigns among the illiterate and ignorant people.
-         Formulate stronger laws to punish the wrong doers.
-         Reward the people who provide information about social problems and help the concerned authorities.
-         Provide employment opportunities to the unemployed youths.
-         Minimize the gap between rich and poor through the redistribution of national income.
-         Eliminate social taboos and superstitions.
-         Root out the social evils like Chhaupadi, Jhuma, Deuki, Ghumto and Dowry systems.
-         Run campaigns on the basis of equality as well as equity.
-         Inspire people to point out the social problems in different areas.
 
What can be done to mitigate (lessen the impact) corruption from the country? Give your opinion.
Corruption damages the social ad institutional composition of a country. There is no silver bullet for fighting corruption. However, the government and citizens can lookout for solutions against corruption through following ways:
-         Paying civil servants well reduces the rate of corruption. Underpaid civil servants may find themselves under pressure to supplement their income in ‘unofficial’ ways.
-         Effective laws enforcement is essential to ensure that corrupts are punished and also those who break the law should be punished.
-         Creating transparency in and openness in government’s expenses also reduces corruption. The more open and transparent the process, the less opportunity it will provide for corruption and abuse.
-         Improving financial management and strengthening the role of auditing agencies have in many countries achieved greater impact than public sector reforms on curbing (5]Sg') corruption.

Stages of Solving Social Problems:
1. Identification of Problem: Find out the root and type of problem is.
2. Developing alternatives: Brainstorm to find out the options.
3. Evaluating and selecting alternatives:  analyze the pros and cons of the options.
4.Implementing Solution:  Choose the best option for solution.
 

In progress....

                                                        (All Images Credit: Google Images)