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Inspector General of Police (IGP) Basanta Bahadur Kunwar has left for France.

He had left for Leon, France last night to participate in the 19th Head of NCB Conference to be held there on April 23-25.

As many as 196 countries affiliated to Interpol on the control of international crime are participating in the conference.

According to the Police Headquarters, discussions will be held on contemporary incidents at the international level, crime investigation and capacity building of police personnel.

Nepal is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with representatives of India, China, Japan and Malaysia during the conference.

Additional Inspector General of Police Tek Prasad Rai, Deputy Inspector General of Police Bhim Prasad Dhakal and other police officials saw off Kunwar.

Krishna Bahadur Kumal was appointed as Nepal's First Accredited Assessor (AA) for Hydropower Sustainability Standards (HSS), marking a significant milestone for the nation's hydropower industry.

With over a decade of experience in the hydropower sector, Kumal underwent specialized training and field assessments in hydropower sustainability standards, establishing himself as a highly qualified expert in the field.

Currently serving as a Technical Coordinator at Bizbell and an Executive Member of the Nepal Hydropower Association (NHA), Kumal's appointment signifies a significant advancement for sustainable hydropower development in Nepal.

Alain Kilajian, Deputy Executive Director of the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance, expressed pride in Kumal's appointment, stating, "We are proud to see Kumal become the first HS Accredited Assessor in Nepal. Nepal has ambitious plans to develop its hydropower potential, and this must be done sustainably. Having local assessors like Mr. Kumal will help ensure Nepal’s hydropower resources are developed responsibly and according to international ESG standards like the Hydropower Sustainability Standard."

In his new role, Kumal will play a crucial role in independently evaluating hydropower projects, verifying their scope, collecting evidence, and identifying any gaps through a comprehensive assessment of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects.

Expressing his commitment to promoting sustainable hydropower in Nepal, Kumal stated, "My dedication to promoting sustainable hydropower in Nepal has strengthened with my new role. Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) now evaluate projects based on ESG criteria, and as an accredited assessor, I'm committed to ensuring compliance. I also aim to enhance investment opportunities in the Nepalese hydropower sector while prioritizing environmental and social sustainability."

Kumal's appointment marks a significant step towards aligning Nepal's hydropower sector with global best practices, thereby promoting sustainable hydropower development. This advancement elevates Nepal's hydropower industry onto the global map, attracting foreign investment.

Domestic abuse represents a major issue in Nepal, particularly impacting women and girls throughout the country. Despite legislative restrictions, violence continues in a variety of forms, including physical and emotional abuse, rape, trafficking, forced prostitution, and female infanticide. Cultural standards, which are based on patriarchal institutions, frequently give men more power and control in families, continuing the cycle of violence.

Prevalence and underreporting

Domestic violence affects every category of society in Nepal, including both urban and rural locations. However, victims frequently find it difficult to come out against their abusers owing to feelings of shame, stigma, and fear. The intimate aspect of domestic violence complicates the reporting process, resulting in severe underreporting.

Perpetrators and victims

According to Nepal’s National Demographic Health Survey (2016), 84 percent of ever-married women who have suffered physical violence blame their present husbands for the abuse. Furthermore, 11 percent of women describe ex-spouses as abusers. It is vital to recognize that domestic violence can also be perpetrated by other family or household members, emphasizing the pervasiveness of the problem.

In Nepal, domestic violence has been a major problem, especially during the epidemic, when there has been a discernible rise in incidents. 14,774 incidents of domestic abuse were reported in the fiscal year 2018–19, according to statistics from the Nepal Police’s Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Service Directorate.

Based on statistics compiled by WOREC Nepal, the majority of the 1319 incidents of domestic abuse involve women. Eighty of the total reported VAW instances (66.72 percent) included domestic violence, with the spouse accounting for ninety percent (790) of the perpetrators and family members accounting for the remaining ten percent (90). Eighty-seven percent (764) of domestic abuse survivors were literate, and thirty-nine percent (339) of women aged 17 to 25 and thirty-eight percent (337) of women aged 26 to 35 are severely impacted by domestic violence.

1,267 calls regarding domestic violence were received by the Nepal Women Commission (NWC) between 24 March 2020, and 21 July 2020, during the first lockdown. The Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) recorded a range of violent episodes between 29 April 2021, and 29 May 2021. Of the 200 women polled, 45 percent reported having experienced domestic abuse.

In addition, the Nepal Police recorded 31,568 instances of crimes against women and girls between July 2021 and July 2023. It’s crucial to remember, too, that a lot of incidents probably go unreported because of pressure from families and society.

UN staff and work environment dynamics

According to the 2017 UN workers Survey on Domestic abuse in Nepal, the prevalence of domestic abuse among UN workers in the nation is comparable to that of Nepali women in general. In order to fulfill our obligation, we must make sure that the UN offers a secure and encouraging work environment for all employees, tackling the problem of domestic abuse in the workplace.

The legal structure and safeguards

One of the most important pieces of legislation to combat domestic abuse in Nepal is the Domestic Violence Act of 2066. It provides a comprehensive definition of domestic violence that includes abuse in familial relationships on all fronts—physical, mental, sexual, and financial. In order to provide prompt assistance and legal redress for victims, the act clearly forbids domestic abuse (Section 3) and provides guidelines for reporting incidents (Section 4).

After receiving a complaint, the court must handle the issue in accordance with Section 5 of the legislation, which guarantees responsibility and due process. While in-camera procedures (Section 7) ensure privacy and lessen re-traumatization during judicial processes, temporary protection orders (Section 6) demonstrate a commitment to prioritizing victim safety.

Assistance with finances and health

Section 9 of the legislation requires those who commit domestic violence to pay for the care of their victims because it acknowledges the financial and medical costs associated with such behavior. This clause guarantees that those who damage victims will be held accountable for their actions, which emphasizes the need for accountability. When offenders cannot afford the fees of treatment, the court may require service centers to step in and help, guaranteeing victims' access to critical medical care.

Compensation and penalties

In an effort to encourage restitution and rehabilitation, Section 10 of the act mandates that victims get compensation based on the type and intensity of the abuse. Furthermore, in order to prevent future breaches and to reflect the seriousness of the offense, Section 13 imposes penalties on offenders of domestic violence that range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 25,000 in fines and up to six months in jail.

Enhancing support services

Nepal government has created Service Centers (Section 11) and a Service Fund (Section 12) in addition to legislative measures to offer victims of domestic abuse prompt protection and assistance. These programs highlight a comprehensive strategy that addresses the legal, social, and economic aspects of domestic abuse. Service centers meet the varied requirements of survivors and aid in their recuperation by providing necessary services including counseling, housing, and legal assistance.

Challenges and future directions

Nepal continues to have difficulties in fighting domestic abuse despite its legislative measures and social programs. Institutional barriers, sociocultural norms, and economic inequality all continue to impede successful preventative and response initiatives. Going forward, the community as a whole, government institutions, and civil society organizations must work together in unison. To achieve this, it is necessary to increase public awareness, advance gender equality, fortify legal systems, and improve victim assistance programs.

Prabin Kumar Yadav

BA LLB

Kathmandu School of Law

Life in the Tarai region as well as in the hilly region has been affected due to the lack of rain for a long time. The increasing heat and dry conditions have led to the growing incidences of fire in various places of the country.

News reports of livestock, food grains and properties destroyed by infernos have been received from various places.

A report from Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, stated that a fire spread to nine villages from Rohini Rural Municipality-6 in Rupandehi district last night, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Manohar Bhatta, the spokesperson at the District Police Office Rupandehi.

The fire that started from the dry wheat stalk was fanned by winds and it spread to Bishnupura, Parsa, Buchi, Barawa, Tarkulaha, Kotahawa, Chamkipur and Piprahawa. Although there are no human casualties due to the fire, 40 houses have been destroyed and 39 goats killed in the fires, he said.

The fire was brought under control in the evening with the joint efforts of the police, the Armed Police Force, the Nepali Army and the locals, using the fire engine of the Devdaha municipality.

Spokesperson Bhatta said fire incidents have been reported from throughout the district, Bhatta said. A fire at Gaidahawa rural municipality has also destroyed properties worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, he said.

Fire destroys 28 houses and sheds in Gulmi

A news report from Tamghas, Gulmi said 28 structures, including houses, shops and cowsheds were destroyed by fire that spread from a forest in Gulmi district.

Fire that raged on Friday until Saturday night razed many houses and cowsheds at Isma Rural Municipality's wards 1, 2 and 4, and at Gulmidurbar Rural Municipality, said Shankar Prasad Pokhrel, the spokesperson at the District Police Office, Gulmi.

According to him, the fire that started at the Rani Community Forest at Sindukha, Isma Rural Municipality-2 on Saturday afternoon spread to the settlements. The fire destroyed houses and animal sheds belonging to 15 persons at Hastichaur, killing a dozen cattle.

Similarly, the fire that spread out from the nearby forest has partially damaged the electricity substation at Birbas, Gulmidarbar rural municipality-4 on Friday. Security personnel and locals brought the fire under control and prevented the substation from becoming fully-destroyed.

The fire has caused damage worth around Rs 20 million to the substation, police said.

Similarly, a news report from Birgunj, Parsa said fire that spread from a wheat field across the border in India burnt thatched roof houses and food grains as well as crops of farmers at Bhalamahiya settlement, Chhipaharmai rural municipality-1 in Parsa district. The disaster has damaged properties and food grains worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, it has been learnt.