Govt will amend statute of limitations on rape case complaints: PM

By A Staff Reporter  Kathmandu, May 31: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has assured to come up with a bill to amend the statute of limitations for registering complaints against rape. 

Addressing a programme organised on the occasion of the 4th National Women Rights Day here on Monday, Prime Minister Deuba said, “We will withdraw the statute of limitation for rape cases and the process for this will be forwarded soon.”

Referring to the case of Nirmala Pant, he said, “The government is serious about the Pant’s case. DNA testing failed to gather evidence. Police have been carrying out investigation and the culprit will be identified one day.” 

Prime Minister Deuba expressed his hope that justice would be served one day. 

Similarly, the PM vowed to adopt a zero tolerance against violence against woman and implement the rights to inclusion, equality and equity granted by the Constitution.     

Stating that Nepal takes a lead in South Asia in closing gender-gaps, the Prime Minister said that policy and legal provisions were in place to increase women’s access to education, health, employment and property. 

“Nepali society is on the path of building a gender-equitable society by ensuring women’s security, dignity and employment as well as economic empowerment and ensuring equal participation of women in all levels and structures,” he added. 

 “The government is working to see the women’s meaningful participation and presence in every state mechanism,” he added. 

Speaking at the event Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Uma Regmi, remembered the contribution made by the senior women rights activists to achieve women’s rights. 

“Now the struggle should be focused on ensuring 50 per cent women participation in every state mechanism,” said Regmi. 

President of Women and Social Committee under the House of Representatives Niru Devi Pal said though the Constitution has guaranteed right to equality, Nepali women had been facing hurdles to pass on citizenship to their offspring. 

She also asked the government to remove such discriminatory provisions from the Constitution. The new law should be introduced to replace the ordinance regarding the acid attack. 

Similarly, chairperson of the National Women’s Commission Kamala Parajuli, former minister Thammaya Thapa and Kamal Panta have also opined their views to make the Day more meaningful by implementing the rights of women in practice. 

During the event, Rukmini Devkota, Laxmi Kumari Upadhyay, Laxmi Pokharel, Savita Singh Maharjan, Yashoda Gajurel, Sita Rai, Laxmidevi Bista, Nirmala Acharya, Chitrakala Budha, Bishnu Kumari Gurung, Kalpana Limbu, Sarita Devi Mandal and Deepa Gurung have been honoured with Presidential Women Entrepreneur Prosperity (Samuntati) Award.

Jesth 16 (May 30) of Nepali Calendar is celebrated as National Women Rights Day every year commemorating the day when the parliament endorsed a four-point resolution ensuring 33 per cent women participation in the state mechanism.