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Where was the dialogue ?

Mette Hvilsby
DW in WWA, Tansen

MS-Nepal’s new policy paper is written in a complicated language that most partners do not have a chance to understand.

MS-Nepal has developed a new policy paper. The policy paper is a long and very thorough description of the future strategies, principles, goals and visions of MS Nepal. In the policy paper we are quickly taught of the four main principles of the MSiS program, of which one is development by the people, meaning that people should get actively involved in their own development. This should be done in a democratic way, ensuring that marginalized groups – especially women take part in this development process.

With these fundamental principles in mind I find it very difficult to comprehend, why MS Nepal choose to write a policy paper, which a majority of our partner representatives are not able to understand. 

I can of course only speak on behalf of the women I work with everyday, but from informal talks with other DWs and partners I have realized that the problems the women in WWA in Tansen have faced in regards to MS’ new policy paper is not out standing.

MS Nepal wants to work with the poorest of the poor. MS Nepal wants to work with the marginalized groups, the illiterate, the un-empowered. MS can not expect that partners with such a back ground can engage in a constructive dialogue based on written papers like the new policy paper.

Partner seminar with few women participants in the debate

The partner seminar itself showed very clearly, whom of the partners were able to participate in the arranged discussion about the policy paper. It was with one or two exceptions all men. I believe our 3 women partner organizations were not very visible in this debate.

In my opinion a discussion about the policy of MS Nepal with the partners is vital. However, new ideas as to how to do it have to be developed. This year’s partnership seminar definitely is not the way to engage especially the women partners in the general debate. First of all the written communication has to be revised. If MS Nepal insists on writing these highly intellectual papers for the thulo manchhe in Copenhagen, then it should be compulsory to make a more popular edition, at the same time. There is no point of making a popular edition after the discussion has been finalized – then the popular edition becomes nothing else but pure information. It is also worth considering a reconstruction of the partnership seminar itself, which allows the women to come more forward. 

I seriously hope the policy paper’s many fine words about people’s participation, gender sensitivity, democracy etc. not only are principles that our partners should follow, but also are basic principles within MS Nepal itself.

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