Government and the UN mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Conflict in Violence

Kathmandu, Nepal – Senior representatives from UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA and other different UN/development agencies in Nepal came together to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict today.

The day is marked every year to raise awareness on the need to end conflict-related sexual violence around the world. 

Speaking at the programme, UNDP Nepal Country Director Renaud Meyer on behalf of UN Women Nepal Country Representative Ziad Sheikh said, “The Government of Nepal has demonstrated leadership and commitment towards meeting its obligations within the women, peace and security agenda. The country’s National Action Plan for Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 is globally recognized as a model plan and some good progress has been made in its implementation. The Government last year convened a roundtable discussion on CRSV to generate a dialogue towards finding solutions. The UN strongly encourages the Government to take this initiative forward.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Mr Eak Nath Dhakal affirmed that as a member-state of UN Security Council, it is our duty to implement resolution 1325 and 1820, which includes addressing the needs of the victims of conflict related violence, including their access to justice and related compensations and reparations.

Minister Dhakal further said, “Now we are working on the second phase of the NAP where special focus will be given to addressing the needs of the victims of conflict-related sexual violence. These needs include: the access to justice, the end of impunity, reparations along with other support and rehabilitation services. In regards to the access to justice and providing support services, the Government has established two independent commissions which are already working as per their legal mandate.”

In Nepal, it has been 10 years since the official end of the armed conflict and still many Nepalese continue to endure the pain and trauma in silence of the human rights abuses, which occurred during the conflict.

In its report last year, the Global Study on the Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, highlighted that survivors of conflict-related violence in Nepal, including gender-based violence, continue to face obstacles in seeking justice and related compensation and reparations. Further, official and accurate data regarding conflict-affected women and survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence is often missing, despite the fact that unofficial estimates exist.

A PSA(Public Service Announcement) developed jointly by UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA and IOM and a documentary "Sexual Violence and Triumph of Justice" was screened during the event and various issues related to sexual violence in conflict were discussed among the participants of the programme.