KATHMANDU :Nepal Police, in association with the UNICEF, on Thursday  launched a weeklong awareness-raising interaction to highlight the vulnerability of women and children to trafficking and prevent the crime in the post-earthquake emergency.

Inspector General of Police Upendra Kant Aryal inaugurated the interaction amid a function organised on the premises of Kathmandu University. “Tackling gender discrimination and crime against women and children remains a challenge across the world. Given this situation, collaboration and coordination of government and non-government agencies could act as a catalyst to curb and control such crimes,” he said.

“Various national and international studies also show that women and children are among the most vulnerable and most affected groups in disaster and post-disaster situations. They are more likely to be the target of criminal elements. Therefore, it is time for all sectors and agencies to remain alert to foil the crime bid and do justice to victims,” he added.

IGP Aryal also informed about the activities being run by Nepal Police to combat unauthorised relocation of women and children within the country or trafficking of the vulnerable groups.

According to NP, cases of trafficking in women and girls have surged after the disaster and vigilance has been sought in quake-affected areas, immigration, international borders, makeshift camps, transportation system, strategic location of national highways and boarder areas to tackle the heinous crime and bring the traffickers to book. Similarly, psycho-social counselling desks comprising women cops have been established in various transit points.

Officials said that such interactions would be organised in all 14 districts, most affected by the earthquake of April and aftershocks.

As per data provided by UNICEF, 2,277 children died in the quake in 14 most affected districts while 1,268 children were injured. The data also states that 49 children from Dhading and two from Kavre were rescued after the quake while 48 from Dhading and two from Kavre were reunited with their families.