Rajbiraj, December 11

As many as 77 rape incidents have been reported in Saptari in six months from January to June in 2019.

Setu Community and Human Rights Front and Campaign against Gender Violence and for Peace jointly made public the data at a programme organised at Rajbiraj in Saptari today.

Ajay Kusaha of the Campaign against Gender Violence and for Peace said 141 incidents of gender violence took place in the district in the same period. Thirty-three died and 50 were injured in the district.  Kusaha attributed patriarchal family structure, child marriage, dowry, foreign employment and lust for wealth and power for the rising incidents of gender-based violence.

At the programme, Province 2 Governor Tilak Pariyar said political parties and the government should work in tandem to end gender-based violence in the country. “Gender-based violence has escalated as importance is given to wealth over respect,” he added.