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A week ago, Lumbini Province made headlines by being the first province to introduce menstrual leave. While a large number of people, both men and women, congratulated the provincial government for being sensitive toward women’s needs, some critics were too quick to ridicule it. Those in support acknowledged the state’s empathy toward women who undergo physical and mental (still) pain when they have their cycles and that they need accommodative arrangements at the workplace. Those who did not approve the leave considered it was an added luxury for women.

A few days later, similar but stronger voices were heard in India when Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smriti Irani, spoke against the need for specific policies related to menstruation as she termed it was not a ‘handicap’. The statement resulted in a wider discussion on the topic. Critics gave examples of women in sports who do not have the liberty to take a leave on a match day; some suggested that women could avail normal sick leave instead of a new type of leave. While the supporters of the leave talked about equality in real terms as men and women have different biology and different health needs.

I am neither a human resources expert nor am I an expert on menstrual hygiene, but I am a woman who has undergone this process to give birth to two kids and am familiar with women who experience menstruation-related pain or problems. In fact, numerous studies conducted in Nepal and abroad have shown that girl students are more likely to miss school during their menstrual cycles. To address the issue of this absenteeism, schools started providing free sanitary pads and menstruation health management became a topic of health awareness.

Working women also face problems when their periods start suddenly or suffer from excessive bleeding. In general, menstruating women suffer from cramps, low back pain, fatigue, discomfort and migraine, among others. It is hard for them to give their hundred percent during these days.  Even renowned organizations in Nepal that advertise ‘women-friendly workplaces’ do not provide basic support such as a resting place or access to sanitary pads. It’s a women’s issue and does not affect men so it’s challenging to convince the higher-ups in organizations (mostly men) to make the arrangements for women.

Men do not have to worry if their clothes get stained or if they leave some chairs marked. Women have to! Women have to worry about engorged breasts too if they can’t feed their newborns on time. While the Nepal government has introduced female-friendly workplaces by providing lactation rooms and day care centers, private organizations and non-government organizations are way behind.

Women’s different needs should neither be understood as luxury nor handicapped as Irani put it. It’s just that they are differently built and undergo difficult phases in different stages of their lives. Young girls start menstruating around the age of 10-12. A woman has to deal with this cycle and the discomfort that it brings 48 days or 1.5 months a year. Then during motherhood, a woman’s womb goes through expansion and contractions. The hormonal levels mess up and many face depression. Very important to note here is not everyone is lucky to be a mother as many pregnancies end in miscarriages. Special attention should be provided to those women too. Let us also not forget the special preference for a male child that can lead to sex-selective abortion; the mental trauma associated with these are huge. Women activists and feminists have strong reasons to advocate for women’s rights over their body.

Fortunately, my periods are kinder to me and I don’t go through a lot of pain but I have friends and family members who do. The troubles don’t end even when women begin to experience menopause. Since men do not go through these phases in life, women’s needs must be accommodated in workplaces, one of which can be a paid menstrual leave. If there is a question of productivity or effective performance, there are hundreds of ways to monitor that. 

Digital banking can be defined as the availability of banking services through online platforms, encompassing both transactional and non-transactional services. This eliminates the need for customers to physically visit brick-and-mortar banks. Technological empowerment is a key driver behind the seamless delivery of these services. Customers commonly interact with banks through various digital channels, including websites, mobile apps, social media, mobile banking, email, Viber/Messenger and call centers.

Customers can avail themselves of banking services through these digital channels or by directly visiting branches or using ATMs/POS. The array of options includes online shopping, mobile banking, third-party wallets/websites, Visa cards, payment options, POS machines and ATMs. The surge in access to finance through digital channels, such as internet and mobile banking, has been accompanied by the adoption of payment methods like debit cards, mobile wallets and QR codes.

In Nepal, where over 72 percent of the population owns mobile phones, these devices have become instrumental in promoting financial inclusion. E-wallets have emerged as convenient tools for making cashless payments. The utilization of digital channels and payment methods brings numerous benefits to individuals, facilitating easier savings, money transfers and access to financial services. Businesses stand to have improved efficiency, reduced costs and a broader customer reach. The Covid-19 pandemic played a significant role in accelerating the adoption of digital banking platforms in Nepal. Many banks responded to the challenges resulting from the pandemic by launching online account opening and e-KYC filling services during the Covid-19 lockdown. Nepal’s e-payment landscape has witnessed a remarkable surge over the past four years. 

From 2020 to 2023, Nepal's e-payment landscape experienced an impressive surge in transaction volume, witnessing a remarkable growth of over 300 percent. However, the transaction amount exhibited a more nuanced pattern, initially soaring and later experiencing a slight dip in the last year. Despite this recent decline in value, the sheer volume of transactions underscores the rapid transition toward digital payments in Nepal. As of mid-October 2023, when examining the volume of e-payment transactions, the top three channels utilized are mobile banking, e-Wallets and debit cards. Collectively, these three channels account for 66 percent of the total number of transactions conducted.

Mobile banking, debit cards and e-wallets have reshaped Nepal's financial landscape. The widespread adoption of smartphones and the expansion of mobile networks have propelled the popularity of mobile banking, providing users with features such as fund transfers and bill payments. Debit cards offer a widely accepted cashless transaction method, particularly in urban areas. Simultaneously, e-wallets have gained traction due to their simplicity and versatility.

The significant surge in the frequency of digital commerce reflects the recent expansion of Nepal's digital payment system. While there is still a considerable journey ahead, the ongoing transformation of the Nepali payment system is due to the collective efforts of relevant stakeholders, including Nepal Rastra Bank and other government agencies, the private sector, and the ultimate consumer—the people.

Nepal has embraced the digital age wholeheartedly. While this digital evolution brings convenience and efficiency, it also introduces new threats, making the safeguarding of digital assets an integral aspect of national security. One common attack in the banking sector is phishing, a technique involving the deception of individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords or credit card details by posing as a trustworthy entity. Phishing attacks can target both bank customers and employees, potentially leading to unauthorized access to accounts or sensitive banking systems. Malicious software, or malware, presents another threat by infecting computer systems to gain unauthorized access, steal information, or disrupt operations. Malwares can target online banking systems, compromising customer credentials and facilitating fraudulent transactions.

Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks overwhelm a system, network, or website with traffic, causing it to slow down or become temporarily unavailable. Disruption of online banking services due to excessive traffic can result in financial losses and undermine customer confidence.

In a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack, malicious actors intercept and potentially alter communication between two parties without their knowledge. This type of attack can lead to the capture of sensitive data during online transactions, including login credentials or financial details.

Criminals may also affix devices to Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to capture card information and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) from unsuspecting users, leading to unauthorized withdrawals and compromising customer accounts.

Ransomware poses yet another threat, encrypting a victim's data and demanding a ransom for its release.

Social engineering involves manipulating individuals to disclose confidential information through psychological tactics. These attacks can trick bank employees into providing access to credentials or sensitive information.

To mitigate such risks, banks should implement a comprehensive framework that identifies, assesses, prioritizes and monitors IT risks. This framework should align with regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Regular vulnerability assessments, coupled with a layered security approach involving firewalls, intrusion detection systems, access controls, encryption and data loss prevention solutions are essential components of a robust cybersecurity strategy.

Automation tools can play a crucial role in tasks such as patching, configuration management and incident response. Additionally, leveraging data analytics enables proactive detection and response to threats.

As Nepal continues its digital journey, the imperative for robust cybersecurity has become increasingly evident due to a growing reliance on digital services and communication, exposing the nation to various cybersecurity threats, ranging from ransomware to data breaches. Building a team of skilled cybersecurity professionals, keeping employees informed about recent threats in the international market, conducting periodic third-party IT security audits and ensuring compliance with industry-specific regulations like PCI-DSS and Basel III are crucial steps to mitigate IT risks. These regulations address data privacy, security and operational resilience, providing a comprehensive framework for enhancing cybersecurity in the financial sector.

The author is a member of Information Systems Audit and Control Association , USA

“Just days ago, I was on the melting ice of Antarctica. Not long before, I was among the melting glaciers of Nepal. These two spots are far in distance, but united in crisis. Polar ice and glaciers are vanishing before our eyes, causing havoc the world over: from landslides and floods, to rising seas...” This is what United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said to the world leaders during the opening of the Global climate change conference, COP28.

His acknowledgment of Nepal’s problems resulting from climate change is noteworthy.

During his visit to Nepal, he journeyed to the Sagarmatha Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, and the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha, Lumbini. This illustrates his profound affection for Nepal and its people.

Guterres also participated in a high-level roundtable discussion titled ‘Call of mountains: Who saves us from the climate crisis’, organized by Nepal and chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. During the session, he expressed his concern, stating, “It is profoundly alarming to witness the rapid melting of Nepal’s mountains. Hearing firsthand from local communities about the devastating impact on their lives is deeply distressing.”

Furthermore, he emphasized, “Nepal, alongside other vulnerable mountainous nations, bears the brunt of a crisis not of their making. Over just 30 years, the country has lost nearly a third of its ice, a direct consequence of greenhouse gas pollution warming our planet. This loss results in swollen lakes and rivers that flood, washing away entire communities.”

Guterres’ statements signify his sensitivity to the issues facing Nepal and other mountainous countries. He urged developed nations to extend support to countries like Nepal through climate funds and the pursuit of climate justice. This recognition marks a significant milestone for Nepal on the global stage.

There has long been a debate regarding the relevance of the UN due to its perceived failure to intervene effectively. However, on Dec 8, Secretary-General Guterres invoked Article 99—a rarely utilized clause in the UN Charter—to caution the Security Council about the escalating situation between Israel and Hamas, highlighting its potential threat to international peace and security.

In a letter addressed to the 15-nation council, Guterres cited the “appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory” as grounds for invoking Article 99. This marked the first time in his nearly seven-year tenure that he utilized this crisis-oriented provision. The last explicit invocation of Article 99 was in 1971, amid the war leading to the creation of Bangladesh and its separation from Pakistan.

Guterres’ action underscores the UN’s capacity to intervene in humanitarian crises, reaffirming the significance of its existence. It showcases a leadership dedicated to upholding human rights and humanity in crisis situations.

The developed nations, being major funders of the UN, often have their specific reservations and expectations from the UN and its leadership. In numerous instances, past UN leaderships have aligned with the directives of developed nations. However, Guterres has demonstrated a commendable balance and timely intervention, navigating between various interests and perspectives.

He has managed a delicate equilibrium, considering the concerns and expectations of developed nations while making independent and appropriate interventions when necessary. Guterres’ ability to uphold the UN’s integrity while taking decisive action when called for signifies a balanced and nuanced approach to leadership within the international organization. Hence, it has helped to make the UN stay relevant even in a fast-changing world.

The author, a member of the Supreme Court Bar, has been practicing corporate law for around three decades

Greetings from the picturesque and remote landscapes of Karnali! Here, where the sun is known to rise in the east and set in the west, I found myself witnessing a rare phenomenon—the sun rising from the west, or rather, from the heart of Karnali. And what led me to this unique experience? A travel grant to the UN Climate Summit COP28 in Dubai, courtesy of UNDP. As I pen down my thoughts, let me take you on a journey through the lens of a journalist from the often-overlooked Karnali province, who found himself amidst the global discourse on climate change.

They say the first time is always special, and indeed, I stand as possibly the first journalist from Karnali to attend the COP28. It was not just an opportunity but a responsibility to bring the unheard voices of my region to the forefront, and I was ready for the challenge. My preconceived notions about climate change were shattered like glass. It was not merely about taps running dry in Surkhet or the ravaging floods and droughts. COP28 unfolded before me a complex tapestry of issues—loss and damage, climate financing, and a plethora of intricacies I had not fathomed before. My understanding of climate change took a leap from the shallow waters into the depth of its complexities.

One of the most surprising revelations was the structure of COP itself. Before attending COP, I thought COP meant a grand conference hall with high-profile individuals delivering eloquent speeches while we applauded. To my amazement, there were numerous meetings and pavilions, each dedicated to different topics and countries passionately raising their concerns. Amidst this diverse gathering, Nepal stood out, but not for the reasons I anticipated. 

Our officials seemed fixated on a singular demand—money. While other nations showcased innovative solutions and offered assistance, Nepal appeared to be on a different wavelength, asking for financial support without contributing substantial ideas or learning from others. We should perhaps focus more on what we can offer, what policies we have in place, and learn from the successes of others.

The international community, in response to Nepal’s grant requests, expressed doubts about our capacity to utilize the funds effectively. Instead of wholeheartedly supporting our plea, they questioned why Nepal struggled to maximize the benefits from existing grants. It was a stark reality check, urging us to introspect on our implementation strategies. On a lighter note, for my fellow journalists, having a press pass is the golden key to expedited access. My lack of one led me to endure a three-hour queue before gaining entry to the conference venue. Note to self: Always secure that press pass!

As I reflect on this unparalleled opportunity bestowed upon me by UNDP, I can’t help but advocate for similar chances for journalists outside the Kathmandu bubble. There’s a treasure trove of stories waiting to be uncovered in Madhes Province, Sudurpaschim Province, and even in remote districts of Karnali. UNDP, you’ve opened a door; let’s ensure more windows are unlatched for those in the overlooked corners of our nation. In closing, from the heart of Karnali to the global stage in Dubai, my journey at COP28 has been nothing short of extraordinary. The sun may rise in the east, but the stories from the west are equally compelling and deserve a place in the grand narrative of climate change.