Kathmandu, July 30

There was a significant increase in cases of violence against women and children in the 15 districts most affected by the April 25 earthquake, according to a field survey report prepared by Inter Party Women’s Alliance.

At a press meet today, Sashi Shrestha, president, IPWA, said that cases of rape, abuses, children and women trafficking had increased in the districts worst hit by the quake.

IPWA members had monitored 15 districts worst hit by the quake between from June 27 and July 25. IPWA members prepared the report after talking to the victims, leaders of various political parties, district administration officers, government officers and local journalists.

“Incidents of VAW along with child abuse and rape cases increased in the districts after the quake,” said Shrestha, adding that in some districts, women were raped by their own relatives while they were living makeshift tents.

“A woman said she was raped by her father-in-law’s elder brother in Bhimeshwor Municipality in Dolakha while they were living in a tent,” she said.

“Nine girls were raped in Kathmandu, seven women were raped in Bhaktapur,” she said, adding, “Chitwan and Kathmandu district have become the transit for women and children trafficking.” According to her, a man was jailed in Ramechhap for raping a woman.

Shrestha informed that the IPWA members during their monitoring found that relief materials provided by government and non-government agencies were not friendly to pregnant women and new mothers.

According to the IPWA report, relief materials had not reached people in the remote villages which were not linked by roads.

Shrestha said there was no representation of women in the Disaster Management Committees in various places.

The report has recommended that the government take the responsibility of food, shelter, health, education and other basic needs of the people affected by quake.

Likewise, it has asked the government to ensure at least 33 per cent women representation in the National Reconstruction Authority.

IPWA visited Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Sindhupalchowk, Kavre, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, Tanahu, Chitwan and Makawanpur districts.