 |
Kathmandu Tuesday November 28, 2000 Mangshir 13, 2057.
|
Ensure women’s rights
Violence against women has increased by
almost cent percent in the last one year. This is no doubt a matter of grave concern but
little has been done to address this problem. The main reasons for this unfortunate state
of affairs are: firstly, the government has introduced no separate laws to contain
violence against women and secondly, NGOs have also failed to make any progress despite
their years of involvement in matters related to women’s welfare and benefits. Had
these NGOs executed their actual task devotedly, such as regular campaigns against
domestic violence, women would have suffered less. Now, the ultimate aim of reducing
physical abuse of women has been far from satisfactory, due mainly to lack of proper
policing social system.
A report from the Department of Crime
Investigation, police headquarters, states that it registered more than 677 cases of
violence against women in 1999-2000 across the country. Compared to the previous year,
violence has increased by 62.74 percent from the previous year which registered 374 cases
only. It is indeed remarkable that this month alone, there have been 27 cases of
anti-women violence. The registered cases of violence against women include all forms of
abuse - mental, physical, trafficking and caste based discrimination.
The facts on crime against women provide
enough evidence to indicate the absence or effective laws geared towards protection of
women’s rights. It is sad to say that the government has not yet realized the need
for such laws and disassociated itself from the responsibility of ensuring gender
equality. As a result, the social status of women has been low and gender discrimination
high, thus leaving a wide gap between men and women. The traditional patriarchy prevalent
in Nepalese society has also reinforced oppression and abuse against women.
The government has not only rectified the
Beijing declaration for the protection of women’s rights but has also pledged to
implement it effectively. The Beijing declaration specifically states that the signatory
state has to introduce a separate law related to women. However, this has not happened in
the country. Besides, the Constitution of 1990 also guarantees women full democratic
rights at par with men. There are over hundred NGOs engaged in protecting the rights of
women in the country. Yet, their efforts are yet to bear fruit. Women continue to suffer
gross abuse and discrimination.
The government can no longer afford to ignore
the increasing violence against women. It has to introduce new legislation, that is,
formulate new laws and strengthen the impartiality of the courts that normally tend to
show a bias towards men. Such legislation is bound to lessen the plight of Nepalese women
provided the implementation of the laws is strict.
Other Stories
|
