Cyber-security policy being worked out: Minister Sharma

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 11: Minister of Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma has said that the ministry has promptly forwarded the work of formulating a cyber-security policy.  

Addressing a programme organised on the occasion of the 113th International Women Worker’s Day by Women Security Pressure Group Nepal here on Friday, she said, “If the policy on cyber security is passed by the cabinet, this will open the way to create a cyber-security law.”

“Nepal has been using technology developed around the world. But the country lacks the policies and laws related to its use. So, the ministry has prioritised the formulation of new laws to regulate it.”

“Policy on cyber security was prepared in 2016 and tabled in the Parliament in 2017. However, after the election, all old bills turned inactive,” she added. 

The government has recently formed a high-level panel to prepare a report to draft a cyber-security policy. The panel has been asked to include suggestions related to policy, legal structure and process of the cyber security sector. 

“The increasing incidents of violence in digital platform are due to the lack of awareness about its safe use,” said Minister Sharma, highlighting the need for increasing use of technology to convey the provisions mentioned in the constitution and laws to the people.

Despite the growing use of information technology, its misuse is also increasing for lack of necessary knowledge, skill and awareness.

Talking about increasing women’s participation in technology development, Minister Sharma said, “The law now has many arrangements including equal rights in the ancestral property. However, in practice, cases where the daughters get a share are rarely seen.”

“There is a need to change the living standard of women by increasing their access to technology,” she added. 

Minister Sharma also underscored the need for carrying out study to find out the status of men and women’s access to the information technology. 

“Use of technology is important to bring women at the lower level to the top position and to make the women at the top position capable enough to compete with their male counterparts,” she said. 

Stating that the government is incorporating the issues to increase women’s participation and access to information technology in the upcoming policy and programme, Minister Sharma asked women experts to give their suggestions. 

In a bid to increase people’s involvement in technology development, she highlighted the need to make the study of information technology compulsory up to higher education.

 “The current education system has failed to link subjects like Math and Science with life experiences. This is the reason why many children develop no interests in such subjects,” said Minister Sharma. 

She stressed the need for changing the education system so that children could develop interest in such subjects.