Movement against violence on women gains momentum in Nepal

Kathmandu: Over hundred Nepalese women activists protested for an eighth day today outside Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai`s residence in Kathmandu, demanding stern action against those involved in violence against women.

The government has recently formed a monitoring committee to look into cases of violence against women after a slew of incidents involving rape, killing and abduction of women over the past one year were reported. More than 300 activists, including dozens of disabled persons, gathered to demand justice in cases like rape of Sita Rai (not real name), killing of Saraswoti Subedi and abduction of Chhori Maiya among others. Participation in the protests is increasing everyday and the movement is drawing widespread attention of media and the general public. The protest was triggered on December 28 last year seeking justice for a 23-year-old Sita Rai who was allegedly robbed of cash amounting to USD 24,000 and then raped by security officials at Tribhuvan International Airport upon her arrival from Saudi Arabia. She was compensated with USD 1,700 only by the government. Protesters are demanding justice for Sita Rai, Saraswati Subedi, Bindu Thakur and Shiva Hasmi, and Chhori Maiya Maharjan among others. According to Mohna Ansari, spokesperson of the National Women`s Commission, investigations into these cases are in progress, both into legal as well as the technical aspects. Ansari, who is also one of the members of the investigation committee said that Prime Minister Bhattarai has directed them to submit a report on these incidents within 15 days. "Details on the Rai case will most probably come out on Friday, and there has been significant development in it," Ansari said. "Similarly, a fresh post mortem will be done on Saraswati`s body on Friday by a team of senior doctors," she said, adding that there have been developments in Chhori Maiya`s case too, which would come out soon. PTI