Kathmandu. Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arju Rana Deuba has said that service is not only a profession of home, community and nation but also humanitarian service.

Speaking at an event here on Thursday, she said, “The overall activities related to service from childhood to old age should not only be seen as a profession or a job, it is also a humanitarian service.” ’

Stating that the evaluation of service-related activities has been low at home, community and national levels and its contribution to the economy has not been explored, Minister Rana said that the contribution of this sector in the country is close to agriculture, mostly women are bearing its unequal burden, which has hindered women’s participation in the economy, politics and public life.

“Nepal has recognised the need for change and the 16th Plan has put service delivery at the centre of our development vision for the first time,” she said. Stating that investment in the service sector should not be seen as an expenditure but as a high-yield investment, minister Rana said studies have shown that millions of people would get employment in the country if the existing shortage in the health and education sectors could be met and at least 60 per cent of the opportunities would be in favour of women.

Stating that they have been working tirelessly to maintain safe motherhood and gender equality in the far-western and other parts of the country for decades, Minister Rana said that they were moving towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by reducing maternal and infant mortality in the country as a result.