In an insightful conversation with our Assistant Editor Vatsala Tyagi, Dr. Prakash Bhattarai, Executive Director of the Centre for Social Change (CSC), Kathmandu and a leading researcher in peace and conflict studies, shared his perspectives on sustaining peace, addressing migration, and tackling climate change in Nepal and South Asia.
Dr. Bhattarai was also a researcher at the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a disaggregated conflict analysis and crisis mapping project. He is also a 2018 Asia Global Fellow at Asia Global Institute, University of Hong Kong. Since July 2023, Bhattarai is also appointed as a Research Associate at Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Hiroshima University, Japan. Dr. Bhattarai holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Otago, New Zealand and he published his first book, Nepal’s Peace Process: Issues and Challenges (Routledge) in 2024. The book provides a holistic overview of the long peace process in Nepal following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2006.
To understand Dr. Bhattarai’s insights, it’s important to revisit Nepal’s recent political history. Nepal, a landlocked nation between India and China, moved from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1990, becoming a federal democratic republic in 2008. Ironically, this transformation was driven by the People’s War (1996–2006), a Maoist insurgency against the state.
While Nepal has made significant strides, the post-conflict period continues to face challenges around transitional justice, inclusion, and governance.
For deeper context, readers may refer to A History of Nepal by John Whelpton or BBC News reports such as Nepal votes to abolish monarchy and Nepal’s Maoists agree peace deal from the period.
Recently, Nepal has experienced growing political uncertainty and internal conflicts. A renewed call for the restoration of the monarchy has placed the current government, led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, under significant strain. In response, Prime Minister Oli has issued stern warnings against the right-wing protests, which he perceives as a threat to the constitutional framework. The rising civic engagement signifies a demand for accountability in the federal democratic setup and a deeper reckoning with the promises of Nepal’s post-conflict transition.
Establishing Peace in Nepal
Drawing on his extensive research and practical experience in Nepal, Dr. Bhattarai, delineated five pivotal elements essential for sustaining peace in post-conflict societies. First, he talked about the need to address and accommodate the core interests of rebel groups, as unresolved grievances may serve as a catalyst for the resurgence of conflict. Second, engaging rebels in democratic processes and accepting them as political actors is vital for long-term stability. Third, the establishment of effective post-conflict governance structures within the initial five-year period following a peace agreement is critical to ensuring a stable transition. Fourth, comprehensive restructuring of governance systems—through institutional reforms, constitutional amendments, or the adoption of innovative governance models—is indispensable for addressing systemic inefficiencies and promoting inclusivity. Finally, civil society engagement plays a critical role, as people’s perceptions of safety and opportunity shape the post-conflict environment.
Nepal’s success in sustaining peace for 18 years is a testament to these principles.
Dr. Bhattarai noted that while 40% of peace agreements fail within five years, Nepal’s focus on these elements has helped it avoid a relapse into conflict.
Overall, his assessment of Nepal’s experience in conflict resolution mechanism was optimistic and he highlighted the vital role of creative thinking, sustained engagement, government reforms and civic participation for a committed rebuilding of Nepali society.
Addressing Women’s Insecurities in Post-Conflict Settings
Nepal’s civil conflict (1996–2006) fractured traditional gender roles and exposed women to intense and gendered forms of violence—
including rape, forced displacement, and militarization of domestic spaces.
The loss of male relatives, who were frequently the primary breadwinners also affected the financial conditions of women. These traumatic experiences were exacerbated by pervasive social stigma, societal reticence, and a marked absence of institutional support, both throughout the conflict and in its aftermath.
Dr. Bhattarai thus stressed the importance of creation of women-friendly truth-telling and truth-seeking processes that prioritize privacy, confidentiality, and dignity, ensuring safe spaces for women to share their experiences without fear of stigma or retaliation.
Efforts such as the equal pay for equal work, sets a minimum quota for women’s representation in government and criminalizes discrimination based on gender were important first steps but have suffered from weak implementation, limited budgets, and tokenistic participation rather than sustained leadership roles for women. Post-conflict security arrangements must make women feel safe, as perpetrators often walk freely, creating a sense of threat.
Beyond physical safety, comprehensive psychosocial and livelihood support is essential to help women recover from the profound trauma of war, including the loss of loved ones and economic instability. Trust-building and reconciliation initiatives are necessary to restore societal trust, especially for displaced women. In comparison, countries like Rwanda and Liberia have demonstrated more structured inclusion of women in post-conflict governance and justice frameworks. Rwanda, for instance, mandated women’s participation in local Gacaca courts and prioritized gender parity in its post-genocide parliament. These cases show how
structured inclusion can transform post-conflict societies—a lesson Nepal has yet to fully embrace. Justice—delivered credibly and sensitively—is not only a legal right but essential to rebuilding women’s trust in the state and society.
Regional Cooperation on Migration and Climate Change
Dr. Bhattarai stressed the need for South Asian cooperation on migration and climate change, hindered by hostile relations and weak governance.
A regional framework is vital to address migration and trafficking, including updating the 1950 India-Nepal Treaty and leveraging technology against trafficking, given India’s role as a transit hub.
The 2002 SAARC Convention on trafficking and BBIN Initiative show limited progress, but a comprehensive migration policy is lacking. On climate change, Nepal faces severe impacts despite low emissions, yet climate justice discussions are scarce. Recent efforts like the 2025 IOM training in Nepal and Colombo Process dialogues address climate-induced migration, but binding regional policies are needed for effective mitigation and adaptation. A shared future policy is essential for addressing both migration and climate change in the region.
Reforms to Support Nepali Migrant Workers
Dr. Bhattarai also outlined urgent reforms needed to support Nepali migrant workers. He highlighted Nepal’s migration patterns and divided them into three sub-categories, which include internal migration, migration to India, and migration to Gulf and Southeast Asian countries. The 2024 edition of Labor Migration in Asia report (jointly published by ADBI-OECD-ILO) notes that the number of workers going abroad from Nepal increased by 102% in 2019-2023 period. Between the pre- and post-covid-19, Nepal experienced the highest percentage increase in outflow of migrant workers among the Asian countries, finds out a report published jointly by ILO, ADB Institute and OECD. Malaysia was the most popular country of destination with 219,357 Nepali migrant workers going there in 2023, whereas UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are the top three destinations among the countries under Gulf Cooperation Council.
Regionally, an estimated three to four million Nepalis work in India, with around half a million in Delhi alone, though they lack recognition as migrant workers under Nepal’s foreign employment laws. Internal migration often serves as a steppingstone to international migration, creating a continuous cycle of mobility that demands a holistic policy response. However, the risks involved are not evenly distributed. Migration often overlaps with human trafficking, especially in sectors like domestic work and adult entertainment, where lack of oversight leaves many vulnerable to exploitation. To safeguard its citizens, Nepal must strengthen its migration governance system. This includes recognizing Nepali workers in India under foreign employment legislation, enhancing diplomatic support in the Gulf, and offering robust pre-departure training in skills and language. Reintegration programs for returnees are also essential to ensure that migration remains a pathway to opportunity rather than a source of precarity.
Conclusion
In times when Nepal itself faces internal crisis and political turmoil, it would be interesting to look forward how the government responds to issues of establishing peace and fostering democracy. Dr. Prakash Bhattarai’s dialogue sheds light on the interwoven challenges of fostering peace, promoting gender equality, managing migration, and building climate resilience across Nepal and South Asia. He underscores the importance of participatory governance to ensure lasting peace, enhanced regional partnerships to confront migration and environmental pressures, and focused reforms to uplift marginalized communities, particularly women and migrant laborers. By championing holistic policies and innovative, community-driven solutions, Dr. Bhattarai charts a powerful course for achieving stability, equity, and sustainability in post-conflict regions, highlighting the critical need for unified action in an interconnected world.
