Such an incident of beating a girl on the charge of ‘pracitising witchcraft’ is a blot on our society

When the country was observing International Women’s Day on Thursday, a 20-year-old girl in Deukali of Ghodaghodi Municipality-5, Kailali was being beaten black and blue on the charge of “practising witchcraft”, in an incident that should make us hang our heads in shame. The incident first surfaced on social media in which Ram Bahadur Chaudhary, a so-called shaman, and his accomplice, Kishmati Chaudhary, were thrashing the girl in front of a large group of villagers who watched the crime being perpetrated on the 11th grader. The victim was badly injured with cuts and bruises on her abdomen, chest, legs, neck, nose and ears among other body parts. According to reports, the beating continued until the perpetrators got tired. According to the victim, she was cleaning the cowshed at around 7 am when Kishmati dragged her out. At least seven persons were involved in the beating, said the girl.

What followed the incident is even more disturbing. While the group of villagers watched the beating “as if a fair was underway”, Ram Bahadur, the perpetrator, who was arrested, was freed within 24 hours by police in the presence of Ghodaghodi Municipality Mayor Mamata Prasad Chaudhary and Ward Chair Prem Rokaya.

According to reports, the victim’s father was also “called in to settle the case”. Such an incident of beating a girl on the charge of “practising witchcraft” is a blot on our society. The way the police administration dealt with the incident is unacceptable. Ram Bahadur was re-arrested only after the media highlighted the issue. By Sunday, his accomplice, Kishmati, was also arrested. District Police Office, Kailali, said on Saturday that it had started investigation into the incident.

This is a shame that innocent girls and women still continue to suffer such medieval types of violence even in the 21st century. It is not that the country does not have law against such crimes, but lack of effective implementation continues to let the perpetrators walk free. The law stipulates stringent action against those involved in inhuman treatment of women accused of “practising witchcraft”. Perpetrators of such an act can be fined up to Rs 100,000, along with a jail sentence of up to 10 years. But despite this, women and girls are still subjected to such worst form of violence.

How can we claim to be living in a progressive society when police administration swiftly releases the perpetrator(s) in the name of settling the case, elected representatives feign ignorance and local people nod and cheer when an innocent girl is thrashed? Prime Minister KP Oli said on Sunday in a tweet that instructions had already been given to initiate action against those involved in beating up the girl. He said nobody involved in such a heinous crime would escape justice. Like the prime minister said, all those involved in the incident should be brought to book without delay.

There is a need of raising a strong voice against such crimes against humanity. Such a beating of any innocent girl or woman in the name of “punishing for practising witchcraft” should have no place in modern society. What happened in Kaialli is height of impunity. This state of impunity must end.

Drugs for newborns

Paediatricians have urged the government to make available drugs needed for newborns at an affordable price across the country. As per Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for newborns and under-five, Nepal should have reduced the mortality rate from 23 and 38 per thousand live births in 2015 to 10 and 22 respectively by 2030. But the government has failed to meet its target set for 2015. If the government does not take proactive measures it will not be able to meet the target set for 2030.

In order to meet the SDGs target, the government, especially the local level units, must encourage pregnant women to visit health centres to give birth. The health centres should also be equipped with neonatal intensive care units and facilities for treatment of newborns. Those issues were raised at a conference of Perinatal Society of Nepal held in the Capital. The conference has demanded the expansion of neonatal health care facilities across the country. Quality health services undoubtedly helps save children’s life. Under-five mortality rate in Nepal was 34.5 as of 2016. It was 323.10 per thousand live births in 1960. More needs to be done to reduce the child mortality rate.