Nepal: UN helps fight against gender violence, discrimination

The United Nations is stepping up its efforts to help protect the rights of Nepalese women, who are increasingly victims of rape, witch-hunt, dowry, and other forms of gender-based violence as well as deeply entrenched domestic abuse and discrimination.

The UN human rights office in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) and National Women's Commission (NWC) has just completed a joint Strategy Development Workshop to address key concerns and identify specific activities for future cooperation.

“The NWC has a vital role to play in the empowerment of women in Nepal and in ensuring women’s access to justice in Nepal,” OHCHR-Nepal Deputy Representative Jyoti Sanghera said at the conclusion of the workshop yesterday in Kathmandu, the capital.

“OHCHR-Nepal looks forward to a fruitful collaboration with the NWC, together with the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) and civil society, in these endeavours to strengthen women’s rights.”

Ms. Sanghera handed over a variety of human rights books, audio-visual materials, and reports published by OHCHR-Nepal to NWC Chairperson Nainakala Thapa, enabling the Commission to establish a human rights resource centre at its headquarters for use by its staff members and civil society partners.

The initiative is part of a series of ongoing collaborative efforts to promote gender justice. In June, OHCHR-Nepal conducted a two-day human rights training with NWC, focusing on human rights indicators.