No deliberation on sexual violence in parliament due to obstruction: Minister Regmi

KATHMANDU: MARCH. 24 – Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizen, Uma Regmi, has said lawmakers could not discuss thoroughly on issues relating to sexual violence in parliament due to continued obstruction of parliament business.

Minister Regmi said it during a programme organized by Forum for Women, Law and Development in the federal capital today. She also complained that the budget was meagre in her ministry which covers 75 percent of the total population. The Minister however said her ministry was able to elevate the budget by Rs one billion in the current fiscal year.

For the increase in budget, the ministry had to run from pillar to posts for lobbying, she reminded. She also said that the cancellation of the women’s development section in the district in the wake of the federal system had created problems on working in the sector of women’s rights.

The district sections would be revived as contact offices with few employees by incorporating a budget for the coming fiscal year, she vowed. The contact office, as she said, would hear the problems facing women, children, senior citizens and the disabled ones.

The Minister also reminded that the Women Ministry and the National Women’s Commission were set up during the Nepali Congress government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Minister Regmi further rued that she was denied meeting with the President when she was to meet the President to invite her as the chief guest at the Women’s Day programme. Minister Regmi viewed none should be biased while holding the position.

She requested the participants to send via email the issues of sexual violence to be incorporated in the government policy and programmes.

On the occasion, Chairperson of National Women’s Commission, Kamala Kumari Parajuli, pointed out the need for making a clear law on live-in together. She also demanded stringent laws and policies to address rape within families.

Similarly, Director at FWLD, Sabin Shrestha, said non-implementation of legal provision and Supreme Courts verdicts had watered down women’s rights.