Human trafficking is one of the most difficult issues to address in Nepal, affecting and exploiting thousands of women, adolescent girls, and children. Indigenous women and girls are disproportionately affected by human trafficking and represent almost 70 percent of the cases. Indigenous women and girls make up the majority of the people trafficked and exploited. Following the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, economic opportunities have been severely impacted and the numbers of missing women and girls including children have risen sharply.
In this program, producer Dev Kumar Sunuwar talks about Sunuwar language, the mother tongue of Sunuwar Indigenous Peoples of Nepal, called Koits-lo. The Sunuwar are one of 59 Indigenous Peoples legally recognized by the government of Nepal. They live in the eastern part of Nepal, alongside of the Likhu, Sunkoshi and Khimti Rivers, mainly in the Ramechhap and Okhaldhunga districts. Sunuwar people call themselves “koits” in their mother tongue. According to the 2011 Census, The Sunuwar have a population of 57 thousand, of which only 18 thousand can speak their mother tongue.
This program includes short voice clips of four different languages spoken by four different sub-clans of Rai Indigenous communities of Nepal namely: Bantawa, Chamling, Kulung and Puma. Rai is one of Nepal’s 59 Indigenous Peoples, legally recognized by the government, but debate among Rai Indigenous communities still continues about Rai not being their ethnic identity, but posts given to the topmost leaders during the ancient kingship system of Nepal.
This radio program is part of a series of programs produced by Indigenous Rights Radio, to commemorate the International Year of Indigenous Languages, 2019. In this program, we showcase the Newar Indigenous Language which is called, Nepal-Bhasa. The Newar are one of the 59 Indigenous Peoples recognized so far by the government of Nepal. They are the original habitants of Kathmandu valley, the capital city of modern Nepal. The Newar people have diversity in terms of religion, rituals and culture, but share one common language.
Indigenous women represent one of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in the world. For centuries, Indigenous Women have been subjected to relentless discrimination and different types of violence based on gender, indigeneity, and class. They are deprived from even basic human rights such as access to health services, education and employment. This Indigenous Rights Radio program depicts Indigenous Women and access to quality health services.
Producer : Dev Kumar Sunuwar and Bia'ni Madsa' Juárez López
December 10, 2018, Human Rights Day, marks the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being -- regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language or other status.
Indigenous Rights Radio Program on a case where the Newar indigenous community in Nepal obtained a victory in their legal battle against the government after about 7 years of continuous struggle.
Interviewees: Advocate Shankar Limbu
Music: Remember your children: by Solidummay.
Introductory Music: "Burn Your Village to the Ground" by A Tribe Called Red. Used with permission.
February 13th is World Radio Day. Radio has contributed to the resilience of Indigenous communities all over the world-- hear some of these stories in this program commemorating the 6th annual World Radio Day.
Music
"Remember Your Children" by Salidummay. Used with permission.
Indigenous Rights Radio English Intro track features "Burn your Village to the Ground" by @a-tribe-called-red. Used with permission.
November 25th, 2017 is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Indigenous women face disproportionate rates of violence and discrimination due to their intersecting identities (woman and Indigenous) which have both been historically marginalized in society. Nepali activists explain their work to end violence against women in their country, and lay out next steps for continuing the work of women's liberation around the world.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is commemorated annually on 9 August. Ten years after the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Nepal-based Indigenous Rights Radio Producer Dev Kumar Sunuwar reflects with prominent Nepali Indigenous leaders on the country's progress in the implementation of international standards for Indigenous Rights.
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 2017, 16th Session
Week 1
Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Kumar/Sunuwar) asks Joan Carling, longtime advocate for Indigenous rights and former expert member to the UNPFII, how she assesses the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in Asia.
MUSIC
"Remember Your Children," by Salidummay
Music from a seashell, recorded at the opening ceremony of the 16th UNPFII
Kaimana Barcarse interviews Perty Maguru from Nepal about the unique dual identity that Indigenous Peoples with disabilities occupy. She hopes to help bring a voice to this community. Recorded at the 2015 UNPFII.