Left behind: How gender inequality still shapes education and the economy in Nepal
Summary
Nepal has made constitutional commitments to gender equality, yet women and girls still face significant gaps in education and workforce participation, especially in rural areas.
Key Points
- Female adult literacy in Nepal is 70.1%, significantly lower than male literacy at 85.8%.
- In rural areas, families invest less in girls' education due to patriarchal norms and economic calculations.
- Women’s labor force participation rate is 27.6%, with most women working informal, vulnerable jobs.
- Despite constitutional provisions for gender equality, cultural norms and lack of enforcement hinder progress in education and employment.
