Kathmandu, August 2:

With the objective of identifying cases of gender-based violence among women and provide them appropriate treatment, the Ministry of Health and Population, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Maternity Hospital are organising a four-day training to health service providers from tomorrow.

“There is limited accurate data available on gender-based violence levels in Nepal. Health workers play a key role in screening and treatment of victims of gender-based violence,” the United Nations Population Fund said in a statement, quoting Dr Peden Pradhan, assistant representative at the United Nations Population Fund.

The statement also quoted Arjun Bahadur Singh, director of the National Health Training Centre, “Neglecting a social issue such as gender-based violence will be reflected in slowing down of other aspects of the country’s development. Now on, we want to emphasise more on the fact that gender-based violence is a cross-cutting issue.”

“We want to make it clear to trainers that gender-based violence must be a regular component of every training they conduct on gender-related issues in the districts,” the press

release said.