NIC, UN Women, and Zonta Club Nepal take joint stand against violence against women

National Information Commission (NIC), the United Nations entity for gender equality and empowerment of women - UN Women Nepal and Zonta Club Nepal jointly organised a programme in Kathmandu to take a stand against violence against women as part of the commemoration of the 25th year of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. The meeting also included the launch of the English version of the book documenting the government’s schemes and provisions on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, and the screening of a joint UN video “Take a Stand against Gender-Based Violence.” Speaking at the programme today, Chief Information Commissioner of National Information Commission, Krishna Hari Baskota said, “Right to information is the blood circulation of democracy that contributes to reducing violence against women and girls. It is essential that women and girls get full access to relevant information to prepare, respond and recover from violence.” Secretary, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, Bishnu Prasad Lamsal said, “The right to information is a constitutional right. Article 27 of the Constitution of Nepal has established right to information as a fundamental right of all citizens.” He further added that it is the duty of the state organs, the civil society and the private sector to provide access to relevant information including info related to violence against women and girls to everyone. Sharu Shrestha, Strategic Partnership Specialist of UN Women Nepal said, “Violence against women is one of the key hurdles to attain gender equality. Worldwide, 4.5 million people are victim of sexual exploitation, and 98% of them are women while in Nepal, 12.3 % of women aged 15-49 have experiences sexual violence at least once in their lifetime.” She further highlighted that the Right to Information(RTI) is a tool to address violence against women and stressed on the need for everyone to collaborate with the government, CSOs, youth group, men and boys and more importantly the private sector to combat violence against women and girls. Shreejana Rana, President of Zonta ClubNepal said, “Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations that threatens countries, inhibits economic progress, and prevents women from contributing to their community and creating better lives for themselves and families.” She further explained that the violence against women includes physical and sexual violence, and harmful practices such as rape, female genital cutting and human trafficking. The year 2016 marks the 25th year of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, initiated in 1991. The 16 Days campaign begun on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25) and will conclude on International Human Rights Day (December 10).