Bhutan Information Women, Children & Gender

Bhutan: Women, Children & Gender

Bhutanese women constitute 49.5 percent of the country's total population and play a major role in the development of the country. They are actively involved in all areas of economic, political and social life as farmers, entrepreneurs, decision-makers, doctors, engineers and homemakers. Bhutanese women do not face any institutionalized form of discrimination- politically, socially, economically or legally. Law treats women and men equally and many of its provisions protect the rights and interests of women and children.

The participation of women and men equally and many of it's of women in decision-making such as at community meetings at the grass roots level is high as 70 percent. Participation of women in district and block development council is also being actively promoted and is increasing. Positions in the higher levels of government and decision-making, in which women are not yet adequately represented, are open to both genders and placement of women in the higher strata of government is being encouraged.

In the field of education the enrolment of girls in the primary level at 46 percent in 2000 is one of the highest in the SAARC region as well as in the developing countries. Maternal and child health too has been accorded high priority by the government. Effective service delivery and aggressive advocacy campaign in areas of safe motherhood, concept of small family, women empowerment, adolescent reproductive health and prevention of STD/HIV diseases have also attributed to the general improvement of health of women and children.

There is no significant preference for the male child over the female among most sections of the population and sex-biased abortions are unknown among the Bhutanese. In traditional society, most of which is matriarchal, women were expected to hold the house and landed property while sons would leave home and settle in their wives' house. This custom is based on the believe that women need economic security to enable them to take care of their parents and raise children. This has led to the customary rights of importance by daughters. It is estimated that almost half of land-registered titles, which is an index of property distribution, are recorded in favor of women. According to a gender pilot study conducted in 2001, in rural areas, 60 percent of the landowners are women and in urban areas, building and business licenses was registered in favor of women.

The concept of the 'head of households' is a relative one. Household decision-making varies from one issue to another and on the capacity of the individual. There is no fixed appointment of roles to either the wife or the husband. In a case of divorce, laws provide fair share for equitable spousal and child support.

The National Women's Association of Bhutan (NWAB) was established in 1981 to enhance the role of women at all levels of the development process. The association with nationwide chapters has successfully addressed the various needs of rural women through a variety of program like education, family healthcare, skills training, employment and rural credit facilities.

Labor The Labor in Bhutan and their working conditions are guided by the national wage rate. The Government from time to time closely monitors it. The Government also reviews and recommends labor wage rates to the National Assembly. There is a provision for all people above 17 and below 65 years of age to be employed under the existing regulations. The National Assembly has also laid down terms and conditions concerning the labor recruiting agencies that must conform to the regulations ? The Chathrim for National Workforce (1994).