Co-op News September 2021

SEPTEMBER 2021 | 23
and as a means of attaining the goal of socialist
society in the new constitution of Nepal. As a
member of the constituent I had made personal
efforts to make this happen. Secondly, with the
then chairman of NCF and constituent assembly
member Keshav Badal, I worked on the change in
parliamentary committees. So, despite some room
for further improvement, we have put our best
effort to include many good provisions for the cooperative
promotion in the New Cooperative Act
2017 and Cooperative Regulation 2019.
For example, we put 33% mandatory reservation
for female participation board representation.
However, there are other several cross cutting
laws that need to be amended to increase the
contribution of co-ops in agri enterprise and
medium and large industries.
The lesson we have learnt for fostering an
enabling environment for co-ops is to continuously
lobby and advocate with the government and other
stakeholders.
HOW HAVE NEPALESE CO-OPS BEEN SUPPORTED
DURING COVID-19?
The Nepalese co-operative movement has tried
its very best to service our members affected by
the pandemic. During lockdown, co-operatives
delivered doorstep services. Because of the closure
of small and medium enterprises, our members
could not deposit their regular savings or repay
instalments in time. This affected cash flow and
other financial indicators, so we lobbied for the
extension of payment periods, discounted interest
and penalties, and rearranged the loan structure
through several policy measures.
WHAT IS THE SITUATION OF WOMEN IN THE
NEPALESE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT?
In Nepal, women make up more than 56% of co-op
members, but hold less than 40% of the leadership
roles. Considering women’s inclusion in cooperatives,
we managed to reserve 33% of seats for
women in the different committees of co-operatives
through the Cooperative Act 2017 – but the challenge
is still there. Many co-operatives have not changed
their bylaws in line with the spirit of co-operative
act and regulation. Women co-operators should
come forward to enjoy their rights and duties. They
should be proactive. Nobody will grant them the
benefits – it should be grasped. Although the legal
environment is favourable, there is still a lack of
knowledge in a largely patriarchal society. We are
developing women empowerment programmes
to give women the tools to be independent and
empowered economically, socially and culturally.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF THE CO-OP
MOVEMENT IN NEPAL?
Very bright. The co-operative movement was
initiated by the executive government order in
1956 for the support of flood-stricken people. Later
the government enacted the co-operative act and
institutionalised co-operative development. The
government started to write co-operative plans
from its 10th five-year plan. Now we have the 15th
five-year plan, again including co-op development.
The most important thing is to have co-operatives
in the constitution as one of the pillars of economic
development. This all shows the full commitment
of the government to promote co-operatives.
But we have to show our sincerity towards
maintaining co-operative principles and values,
and show our commitment in keeping good
governance in co-operatives.
To grow the sector, we must empower cooperators
and develop a transparent and healthy
co-op movement by implementing standardised
monitoring indicators. It doesn’t matter how many
members, savings and share accounts we have
unless it positively affects the living standards
and lives of co-op members. So we have to be
serious about uplifting their living standard
through different socio-economic activities while
also developing a self-sustainable co-operative
movement.
I am trying my best to increase the number of
young members and women members because
I believe young people are good ambassadors
for the change in society – and women must be
economically self-sustained.
I appeal to all national, regional and international
organisations to make a common effort for attaining
the self-sustained and good governed co-operative
movement around the globe.