President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that spreading education and awareness, and making women economic self-reliant and independent are essential to put an end to all forms of violence against women.
In a message of best wishes on the occasion of the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women here Sunday, she has said that the Nepali women continue to face violence, discrimination and degradation due to harmful practices and superstition including witchcraft, chhaupadi and dowry. She has also wished that this International Day against VAW motivates all at the society, state and international level to work to prohibit and discourage VAW.
The day is being observed in Nepal under the theme 'We don't accept gender-based violence and abuse' and by organizing various programs. November 25 has been designated as the International Day for Elimination of VAW by the UN.
Meanwhile, in a similar message, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said Nepal has taken huge strides in the protection of women's rights while the government adopts a policy of zero tolerance against all forms of VAW.
"The government is determined to take action as per the law against anyone involved in the crime of VAW," he has said in the message while expressing the confidence that effective enforcement of the civil and criminal codes would help end all kinds of violence against women.
