Kathmandu, March 8

Various programmes were held across the country to mark the 106th International Women's Day today.

The slogan for this year’s International Women’s Day was ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for gender equality’.

Speaking at a function organised by the Ministry of Women Children and Social Welfare, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said prosperity was possible only in a just and equitable society.

Stressing on the need to invest in women and girls education, he said the government would give priority to women’s capacity building and development.

“Our country has got the first woman president, which is an achievement,” he said.

Similarly, in another programme organised jointly by USAID and UNICEF in coordination with the Ministry of Education to discuss ‘Girls Education in Nepal: Ensuring parity and protection’, Ambassador of United States to Nepal Alaina Teplitz urged the Government of Nepal, non-government sector and other concerned to assist parents and children in enforcing ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ against all kinds of violence against children.

“Many girls are still deprived of education due to physical, social cultural barriers therefore there is a need to remove these barriers that prevent young girls from reaching to school.

Local and national government, can assist in the enforcement of zero tolerance policy and create a course of action that does not further victimise gender-based violence survivors,” she said.

She further said that ensuring a better skill could increase individual potential and drive Nepal’s economic growth. “It would reduce extreme poverty and will lead to greater inclusiveness,” she added.

She informed that there is 95 per cent enrollment in primary level in Nepal but secondary level completion is only 20 per cent while the population of girls who pass secondary level is very low.

Kiran Rupakheti, chief of Child Protection and Development Section at MoWCSW said trafficking, child marriages, corporal punishment, child labour, sexual exploitation are some of the major areas where violence against children is taking place. “We need to identity the root causes and try to deal with that to end violence against children,” he added.

Rupakheti further said that the government was preparing a national strategy on child marriage and was going to conduct girls national summit on March 23.

Likewise various rallies, award ceremonies and interaction programmes were held in different parts of the country to celebrate women’s achievements on the occasion of International Women's Day.