The government of Nepal had implemented
a nationwide on March 24th to curtail the spread of Covid-19. Along
with this, there has been an alarming increase of 40% in violence against women
and girls in the country and especially in the case of domestic violence. As
staying indoors has been regarded as preventive measures to curb the virus,
vulnerable women are trapped inside their homes with the perpetrators having no
access to safety. Likewise, the increase in thenumber of mental health issues
and suicides is an area of utmost concern.
Ms.
Bandhana Rana, Vice Chair of UN CEDAW Committee and one of the speakers from
the panel commented “The Covid-19 pandemic has created havoc globally and has
brought along another form of crisis which the UN has declared it as “Shadow
Pandemic”. Shadow pandemic refers to the increase in the domestic violence amidst
the Covid-19 crisis which needs to be priotized and addressed”
Zontian Seema Golchha, the President of
Zonta Club of Kathmandu shared “Zonta Club Kathmandu aims bring attention to
women and girls who have trapped and violated physically and mentally in their
own homes by their perpetrators. With the digital panel session we hope to
bring this issue forward to all and fight against it”.
The Session was moderated by the
esteemed Ms. YashodaTimsina, DC Advisor / Editor and Former Commissioner at the
National Information Commission.
