Kathmandu, December 22:

Matthew Kahane, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN System in Nepal, has expressed concern on behalf of the international development partners to the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist about the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security.

In a letter sent on December 19 to Minister for Home Affairs Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Coordinator of Dialogue Committee of the Maoists, Kahane said, “We recognise the challenges inherent in the planning, designing, constructing and managing of the cantonment sites by the CPN-Maoist, with the support of the government.”

“However, as the tripartite agreement on arms control, cantonment and reintegration makes no reference to the different needs and situations of men and women, we would like to highlight the concern that the needs of female ex-combatants, supporters and dependents be taken into consideration. Any transition plan for Nepal will not be effective without women’s and young girls’ inclusion in the design, delivery and evaluation of all cantonment and reintegration related plans,” it said.

Kahane urged the government and the CPN-Maoist to implement the recommendations of the UN Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security by “ascertaining the number and percentage of women and girls, including ex-combatants, supporters and dependents, in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as soon as possible”.

He urged the authorities concerned for including information on how many of the female Maoist combatants have children to care for and asked them to ensure that the criteria to select PLA personnel for cantonments and reintegration process are sensitive to, and inclusive of, women.