NEPAL: PM Nepal Issues Instructions to Forward Campaign Against Violence Against Women

Date: 
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Source: 
My Republica
Countries: 
Asia
Southern Asia
Nepal
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Reconstruction and Peacebuilding

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has issued instructions for taking forward the campaign against violence against women in a coordinated manner.

Speaking in a inter-ministry level committee national work plan meeting on gender-based violence at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday, the prime minister stressed on moving ahead in a coordinated manner as the campaign against violence against women cannot become effective in the absence of coordination among all the ministries and the bodies concerned.

He underlined the need for making the campaign that was initiated by setting up a violence against women complaints implementation cell at the Prime Minister´s Office a year back more effective.

Pointing out the need for formulating the annual work plan and implementing the same vigorously for making the campaign successful, Prime Minister Nepal issued directives for organising regional and national assemblies of the resource groups constituted in all the 75 districts as per their need.

The prime minister also issued instruction for taking immediate action against anyone responsible for committing violence against women. He said the violence against women would decrease if six or seven news of the perpetrators facing action are covered in the media.

He said he would do what he can if harsh laws are required to deal with the cases of violence against women. The prime minister also underlined the need for enhancing the capacity of women police and for creating women-friendly environment in all the bodies.

At the meeting, high ranking government officials presented progress reports on the works carried out by their respective offices regarding the campaign against violence against women.

Chief Secretary Madhav Ghimire presided over the meeting. CA members Sapana Pradhan Malla, Arzoo Rana Deuba and Ushakala Rai, Home Secretary Dr Govinda Kusum, Inspector General of Police Ramesh Chand Thakuri and other high-ranking government officials attended the meeting.