Rally organised to mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Kathmandu, November 25

Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Welfare and National Women Commission Nepal today jointly organised a rally to mark the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign.

Addressing the rally, Minister for Youth and Sports Daljit BK Sripali said, "Every member of society must work together to rid the country discriminatory practices and stop any form of violence inflicted on women." He added that equal participation of men and women in all spheres was mandatory to achieve the country’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The rally reportedly started off from Bhrikutimandap and then passed through Bhadrakali, followed by New Road before finally converging at Basantapur Durbar Square.

According to a report 'Anveshi 2016' published today, violence against women is more prevalent in Tarai than in other regions. Around 52 per cent of women living in Tarai are victims of some form of violence, a number that stands at 29 per cent and 19 per cent in hills and the mountain regions respectively.

Acting Chairperson of the National Women Commission Nepal Bhagwati Ghimire said  the campaign could not succeed until all women were aware of their rights. "Women participation in political, social, economic, and other sectors must increase in order to get this problem uprooted from our society," she said.