parking light problem?

[limax2]

Have you tried putting the ignition switch  into the park position, i.e. with the handlebars turned to the left turn the ignition key anti-clockwise to just past the lock position. The pilot light and rear light should come on and as this circuit is a bit different it may give a clue. That circuit does not go through the light switch. 

Since the back light isn't working either it gives a big clue and is looking like it's the light switch as John said.
Tell the wife to try the above test and if the lights still don't come on then the problem could be in the main (key operated) switch, a bad connection there, or a break in the blue/red wire from that switch.
As for the dish washer, what's wrong with doing the dishes manually  :\ .