𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧

…𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒔 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚-𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

By Kezang Choden

The National Assembly of Bhutan has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to equality, education, and the protection of vulnerable groups, citing key provisions from the constitution. Article 7.15 guarantees that all persons are equal before the law, ensuring equal protection and prohibiting discrimination based on race, sex, language, religion, politics, or other status.

The constitution also recognizes education as a fundamental right. Article 9.16 mandates the state to provide free education to all children up to the tenth standard. It further directs that technical and professional education be widely available and that access to higher education be based on merit.

The Assembly also stressed Bhutan’s firm stance on protecting women and children from exploitation. Article 9.17 obliges the state to take measures to eliminate discrimination, trafficking, prostitution, abuse, violence, and workplace harassment against women. Article 9.18 reinforces similar protections for children, ensuring they are safeguarded against exploitation, mistreatment, and economic abuse.

The National Gender Equality Policy 2020 provides a guiding framework to promote equal rights, opportunities, and benefits for all genders across political, economic, and social spheres. However, the recent Labor Force Survey Report 2024 highlights a significant gap between men and women in the workforce. The report shows that the labor force participation rate stands at 73 percent for men compared to 53 percent for women. It further reveals that 60 percent of men are economically active while only 40 percent of women fall in the same category. This indicates that women continue to lag behind men in economic participation.

Yeshey Lham, Deputy Chief Counselor of the National Commission for Women and Children under the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, emphasized the importance of implementing programs at the gewog or grassroots level. She said that taking initiatives closer to the communities would create stronger support systems for women and children across the country. “If programs and plans were implemented at the gewog level, they would be more effective in reaching women and children who face the greatest challenges,” she said.

Yeshey Lham also highlighted the gap in opportunities between men and women. While men increasingly have access to alternatives and modern tools, women are often left with limited options. She pointed out the example of agriculture, where mechanization has reduced men’s reliance on oxen to plough fields. In contrast, women continue to face the same burdens, with fewer resources and limited access to modern technology. She stressed that this imbalance not only reflects unequal opportunities but also restricts women’s capacity to improve their livelihoods and actively contribute to community development. The NCWC continues to advocate for more inclusive and community-based approaches.

During a recent session, Dorji Wangmo, Member of Parliament from Kengkhar-Weringla Constituency and a member of the Women, Children and Youth Committee, emphasized the importance of existing laws to safeguard the rights of children and women in Bhutan. She explained that the Child Care and Protection Act 2011 upholds the principle of the best interest of the child, promotes child-friendly justice, and provides legal support for children in conflict with the law or in difficult circumstances. Similarly, the Child Adoption Act 2012 ensures a regulated adoption process and designates the NCWC as the authority responsible for overseeing adoptions in the country. Wangmo further highlighted that the Penal Code of Bhutan criminalizes child abuse, statutory rape, and trafficking, thereby strengthening the legal framework to protect minors from harm.

She also drew attention to challenges that continue to make women and children vulnerable to exploitation. Poverty, lack of education, and limited employment opportunities in rural areas often expose young people to traffickers. Many are lured with false promises of jobs, education, or a better life in urban areas. Upon arrival, victims frequently find themselves trapped in exploitative conditions, including forced labor, domestic servitude, or sexual exploitation.

During the session, Dorji Wangmo emphasized the importance of using the word “survivor” rather than “victim” when referring to women who have experienced violence. She stated that the term “victim” presumes knowledge of the impact of trauma and suggests that the woman was and is powerless. According to her, the word removes the possibility that a woman can resist, reject violence as normal, seek help, and survive. She explained that the term “survivor” supports the idea of life after the attack and does not define a woman by a single event. Instead, it highlights her agency to take control and make choices about her future. The MP concluded by reaffirming that Bhutan has a strong legal and policy framework to protect women and ensure their rights.

The Women and Child Helpline number 1098 continues to serve as a crucial channel for those in need of immediate assistance, support, and protection. This toll-free service is accessible 24 hours a day, offering confidential help to women and children experiencing violence, abuse, exploitation, or any form of distress. By dialing 1098, survivors of abuse or those witnessing such incidents are encouraged to take immediate action without fear, knowing that timely help and protection are available.