Women constitute more than half of the total population in Nepal. They are active players in national economy. However, women’s contribution has not been well accounted in the national economy. The national data shows that more men than women are economically active (68% of men: 49% of women) (Population Census 2001). More men than women are involved in salary/ wage or own economic enterprise (44%:17%). Fewer men than women are involved in agricultural work (47%:58%). Fewer men than women are involved in others including household works (10%:26%). These facts reveal that sharp difference between men and women lies in salary/ wage or own economic enterprises.
Women are more incident to poverty due primarily to gender based discrimination and violence. However, the facts about women leadership and poverty at the household level in Nepal are dubious. The Nepal Living Standard Survey (NLLS) 1996 revealed that the women headed households had higher incidence of poverty. Unlike, NLLS (2004) revealed that women headed households had lower incidence of poverty. It could be due to migration of men and high income level from remittance (www.undp.org.np/publication/html/mdg2005/04_MDG_NPL_Goal1.pdf).
Thus, the national policies and programmes need to focus on empowering women, from all castes and class; enhancing economic opportunities and reducing gender based discrimination and violence.
