Bhutan’s work to become a smoking-free, carbon-negative nation has afforded it the title of the eighth happiest country in the world. A Buddhist kingdom with a rich and inspiring history set in the Himalayan Mountains, Bhutan is notably proactive in its approaches to many aspects of life, however, these progressive attitudes do not yet stretch to gender equality. Whilst there has been some progress in women’s rights in Bhutan, with more than 84.6% of women of reproductive age having “had their needs for family planning satisfied with modern methods,” the country still has gaps to close to achieve true gender equality.

Women in Society 

Although Bhutanese women may be perceived as enjoying relatively free lifestyles, the social status of women remains decidedly below that of men. Perceptions that women are “less confident, capable and strong and sexually more vulnerable than men” strongly dictate the roles women hold in all areas of life, including in the workplace or even in health care. Evidence of this is seen through declining political participation from 13.8% in 2008 to 8.3% in 2013, precipitating further perceptions of women as inferior to men and greatly silencing the female voice in government areas with the potential to address the issue of women’s rights in Bhutan.

Gender-Based Violence 

Despite the introduction of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA 2013), gender-based violence remains a highly prevalent issue. Even four years after the DVPA came into action, “13.9% of women faced physical violence from intimate partners in their lifetime”, equating to “more than two in every five women.” Violence against women in Bhutan exists in three main categories: sexual, emotional and physical. Shockingly, an average of “3 in 10 women aged 15-49 experience at least one of these, with 17.9% of all victims of abuse suffering all three.

Economy and Industry

Bhutanese women ‘continue to have lower labor force participation rates as compared to men,’ fuelling social stereotypes that women are ‘economic dependents.’ This is arguably a contributing factor to the disproportionate unemployment rates in Bhutan, affecting 2.9% of women yet only 2.1% of men in 2015. However, even amongst employed women, the work differs significantly between men and women, as more women work in ‘vulnerable, low paid or undervalued jobs.’ This proves how women not only have to fight harder to secure employment in Bhutan, but face challenges within industry, forced to work in underpaid and underappreciated jobs. It also highlights the need to change the attitudes of all members of society to elicit concrete social change in women’s rights in Bhutan.

Poverty Among Bhutanese Women 

 In Bhutan, poverty is a greater issue among women in comparison to men. With 1.1% of employed women living below the international poverty line, and only 0.8% of men, the standards of living in Bhutan are a clear indicator of gender inequality. This is arguably a result of lower adult literacy rates amongst women, at 62.8%, compared to 77.9% for men. A demographic’s literacy skills can directly influence living standards, determining employability and an awareness of one’s situation.

However, Bhutan is a leading nation in South Asia in promoting gender equality in education. The country has made basic education free and a constitutional right, “taking serious measures to implement the United Nations’ education for all agenda and millennium development Goals.” Genevieve Boyreau, the Resident Representative and Senior Country Economist from The World Bank, argues that “the quality of jobs for women is still an issue. Improving job quality and productivity for women would enhance gender equality and promote economic growth.”

Ongoing Efforts

Although Bhutan has yet to achieve gender equality, the last few years have seen the introduction of many strategies and legislations that aim to bring change.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is collaborating with the government and other external organizations and groups to develop and advocate for “gaps in policies and their implementation for the realization of gender equality,” as well as supporting women and youth-led organizations to promote the empowerment of women both from within the government and on a communal level.

Moreover, the world-famous philosophy of Gross Nation Happiness (GNH) is “integral to Bhutan’s growth process,” striving to “create an environment wherein every man, woman and child is included and benefits from development and growth,” showing how wider national programs can help to improve women’s rights in Bhutan. The health sector is also addressing the issue, as the Ministry of Health and Respect Educate Nurture and Empower Women has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dedicated to empowering women and girls.

Conclusion 

The social and political work in place to promote gender equality is helping to reform social perceptions of the role of women in Bhutan, providing hope for a future where men and women are equally valued in all spheres of life. 

– Chloe Thomas
Photo: Flickr