Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 28:

A separate policy and concerted efforts of concerned authorities and organisations are required to address the problems facing women working in vulnerable sectors, participants

in a consultation programme said today. These views surfaced at the consultation on Empowerment Packages for Young Displaced girls to combat various exploitation. The programme was organised by Rahat, a non-governmental organisation. Dr Chandra Bhadra said the government should accept cabin girls and women working in other vulnerable environment as part of the labour force. Stating that trafficking in girls within the country is a big challenge to the police, senior superintendent of police, Devi Lal Tamang, urged the participants to address the problem.

Shyam Sunder Sharma, spokesperson for the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, said, “Empowerment, capacity building to upgrade the social and economic status of women, can bring improvement is this sector.” Prof Dr Madhavi Singh, president of Rahat, said the present political situation is providing employment opportunities to the youths. Rahat had conducted a survey on girls working in cabin restaurants in Kathmandu from November to April. The survey analysed the variables of internal displacement, which showed that girls aged between 13 and 30 years come to Kathmandu for better prospects and end up in degrading jobs in cabin restaurants. The survey also indicated that the trend is rising due to the ongoing insurgency and attraction to urbanisation.