Kathmandu, January 21

Inspector General of Police Upendra Kant Aryal today said that Nepal Police was committed to tackling all forms of violence against women and trafficking in persons.

“The law enforcement agency is serious about controlling crimes against women and children.

The issues also need to be addressed through improved public awareness. Violence against women is also linked to human culture.

Therefore, police alone cannot put an end to gender violence.

People should rise above their prejudices and petty cultural values to end violence against women,” he said at a programme organised in Nepal Police Headquarters, Naxal.

He also informed that the law enforcement agency was working towards creating women and children-friendly environment and expanding women and children service centres across the country to address their problems at the community level.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs Yadav Koirala stressed on making timely changes to existing laws to control violence against women and children. “Males should stop tormenting females.

Existing laws and policies must be enforced to end violence against women and children,” he added.

Dilli Ram Giri, chairperson at the Central Child Welfare Board, said, “Equitable development is not possible unless the rights of differently-abled persons, orphans, children, senior citizens and women are not respected. Nepal Police should protect them from violence.”

Ramesh Dhakal, joint secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, said that it was necessary to further strengthen the state mechanisms to address incidents of violence against women and children.