KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 10

Zonta Club Kathmandu organized an awareness program in association with the Central Investigation Bureau, Nepal Police and Ncell as part of 16 Days Activism on Gender-Based Violence program by Zonta Club Kathmandu on Sunday, at St. Mary's High School, Lalitpur.

The event with AIG Kiran Bajracharya was the chief guest, saw participation of around 800 students from Sanskrit Madhyamik Bidhyalaya, Bhanu Madhyamik Bidhyalaya, Nepal Adarsha Madhyamik Bidhyalaya, Himalaya Madhyamik Bidhyalaya, St. Mary's High School and Mary Ward School, according to the statement issued by the Zonta Club Kathmandu.

During the event a skit was showcased which raised the different issues faced by women.

Inspector Shanta Lama, CIB Nepal Police shared about law and crime while Yashmine Bhattarai, Ncell, shared information on cyber security. Reverend Sister Deepa from St. Mary's High School urged the students to think about what they learned during the program and act wisely.

'When we talk about gender-based violence we think of violence against women only but the data shows that even male are affected as victim of gender-based violence,' said AIG Kiran. 'It is a myth that men have no role in ending violence against women. The most important role is that of men. This gender-based violence will not end until men control themselves and respect women. That is why the activism will remain incomplete until there is support from men.' 82% of rape cases is done by people who are known and most of the victims are educated and studying +2. Offenders are also educated people. According to this year and the data from last year, victims are 11–16-year-olds and offenders are 12–25-year-old men. That is why we need to think differently than the myths.

'We should all come together to work for activism on Violence Against Women,' said Zonta Club of Kathmandu president Ava Shah. 'Our campaign is not just for the 16 days, 16 weeks, 16 months, it will move ahead until the violence against women and children is gone.'

As part of the 16 days activism on gender-based violence, Zonta Club of Kathmandu also showcased five different videos pertaining to child marriage, domestic violence, office harassment and sexual abuse on public transportation at the event and in 31 screens of QFX cinemas in 13 locations. The members of the youth wing of Zonta - Z and Golden Z club from Sanskriti International School, NAMI College and Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management, are sharing their voice to raise awareness about gender-based violence in the different social media platforms of Zonta Club of Kathmandu.

Zonta International, a leading global organization founded in New York in 1919 envisions a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In a world where women have access to all resources, they are represented in decision making positions on an equal basis with men and no women live in fear of violence. This is being achieved through 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 63 countries across the globe by more than 29,000 Zontians committed to the professionalism, fellowship and service of Zonta's visionary founders, the statement said. Zonta Club Kathmandu was chartered under Zonta International and established in 2012. It is a legally registered NGO in Kathmandu, represented by 64 members from diverse backgrounds, it added.