Equity in education and health services in Nepal

Nepal recently emerged from a traumatic 10-year armed conflict that killed 13,000 persons, displaced more than 50,000 internally, and significantly reduced economic growth. A high poverty rate and increasing inequality, unequal access to basic services and economic opportunity, and centuries-old discriminatory laws and social practices (i.e., the caste system) are generally believed to have significantly contributed to the conflict (Central Bureau of Statistics [CBS] 2005). In recent years, this has led to a greater emphasis on the inclusive development of the country as reflected in the periodic development plans, such as the Three Year Interim Plan 2007-10 and Three Year Plan for 2010-13, which were formulated after the cessation of armed hostilities in April 2006.