Equality needed better addressed
Born in Puranobasti under Sarpang district, Jasodha Budathoki, wife of late R. K. Budathoki (founder president of Bhutan Peoples’ Party), is currently working as President of Women Organization of Bhutan (WOB) founded in August 21, 1990 in Garganda, India. Budathoki is also Central Committee Member of both Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee (BMSC) and National Front for Democracy (NFD). T. P. Mishra of Bhutan News Service (BNS) talked to her on various contemporary issues. Excerpts:
BNS: How are you leading WOB?
Budathoki: I have been especially focusing on international campaign rather than lingering in camp based activities. Similarly, WOB is actively moving ahead making camp women united. We are conscious of leading the organization independently.
BNS: What is the situation of women in camps?
Budathoki: Comparatively, the condition of women in camps is more vulnerable. They are backward in most of the subjects. Actually, Bhutanese women are not in a position to tell their hidden sorrows and pains in an open forum. The fact that they lack better opportunities cannot be denied.
BNS: What is the crux of their problems and solution?
Budathoki: Women in camps are strictly barred from coming outside to work independently. The best solution would be – women be treated equally as men. Refugee aid agencies can also play vital roles. They can be provided with better opportunities. Women also do have qualities like men, thus, a sense of suppressing women should get abolished.
BNS: What is the role of women for Bhutan democracy?
Budathoki: I think it may not get differed to exactly that of male. Bhutanese women can show their moral, logistic and physical support in every movement meant for inclusive democracy. Let me add that the WOB is always joining hands with those organizations working for establishing democracy in Bhutan. WOB has a clear stand of supporting only the option of dignified repatriation to original homeland, Bhutan.
BNS: But Bhutanese movement is getting shadowed?
Budathoki: The delay in repatriation process cannot be ignored. But, I think one day we will definitely return to our original homeland if we are committed to work with common consensus and in a unified way. It is necessary to admit the fact that our movement will never stop unless Bhutan is forced to take back its genuine citizens, currently languishing in Nepal and different states of India.
BNS: It is believed that Bhutanese movement is backpedaled in absence of Lt. R.K.Budathoki. What leadership qualities was he having?
Budathoki: I do strongly support this view. I just want to say that our movement has really missed one of the courageous, dedicated and most influential leaders for Bhutan democracy. But there is no instrument that can enlist the qualities that he had. It would be better to let the people realized his qualities than me telling.
BNS: How are the lives in exiled going?
Budathoki: With the long term stay inside unimproved camps, there is rise in frustration and mental depression among youngsters and older people. The wave of third country resettlement has succeeded in grasping attraction of some of the youths, which is normal. However, majority of people are still wishing to return home rather than opting relocation. In reality, some of the so-called opportunists are trying to bring confusions within innocent exiled Bhutanese.
BNS: State latest WOB programs?
Budathoki: We are eagerly waiting for the result of re-registration process jointly carried by the UNHCR and Nepalese government. WOB will then stress for its campaign towards repatriation at international arena.