By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Mar.6: Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Julie Kumari Mahato has stressed the need for stricter laws to minimise violence against women.
Speaking at a discussion programme on “Sexual Violence and Justice” organised by Forum For Women, Law and Development (FWLD) on Friday on the occasion of the 111th International Women’s Day, Minister Mahoto said that existing laws should be implemented strictly to control the violence against women.
“Repeated cases of sexual violence are taking place around the country due to ill mind-set of the people. To control such criminal activities, people from every walk of life should come together with a common commitment,” she said.
The country has enough laws to protect women and girls but due to lack of their strict implementation, more girls and women are facing violence and suffering from evil actions, Minister Mahato said.
Yam Kumari Khatiwada, secretary at the Ministry for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, said the government was in the process of implementing international commitments and conventions.
She said that more women lost jobs than men due to the COVID-19 pandemic and they were affected more than men both mentally and physically.
Nepal Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Rajesh Lal Karna said that it would be difficult to find an exact DNA report in rape cases if more than one person was involved.
Police are more concerned about the privacy of the victims as per the law, he said.
At the programme, senior advocate of FWLD Meera Dhungana said that 1221 sexual violence cases were registered in the police in the first six months since the COVID-19 lockdown started.
In 90 per cent of the sexual violence cases against children, the perpetrators are their close relatives, Dhungana said.