US
Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Catherine M Russell emphasised
the US government’s commitment to preventing gender-based violence and
advancing gender equality during her four-day trip to Nepal.
Ambassador
Russell during her visit on February 7-11 heard from several civil society
groups about the challenges girls and women face, including trafficking in
persons, dowries, child marriage, schools without toilet facilities and others.
She also visited a USAID-supported health programme for new mothers and their
babies in Dhulikhel and traveled to Janakpur to meet with female community
leaders and students.
“This form
of violence often seriously jeopardises both the mental and physical health of
women and girls,” ambassador Russell said, while meeting with organisations
that are working to stop gender-based violence.
Addressing
gender-based violence is not just a moral issue but also a security, public
health, and economic one. “The results of the violence have significant direct
and indirect economic costs for women, their families, their communities, and
the nation,” she added.
Women’s
entrepreneurship groups shared their successes in the pashmina, handicraft,
tourism and agricultural sectors with Ambassador Russell.
Several
female entrepreneurs who have recently attended US-funded exchange programmes
and workshops shared their plans to grow their businesses. Russell underscored
how important women’s economic participation is to overall economic growth.
Female members of the new
Constituent Assembly (CA), Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare
officials and the Janakpur chief district officer briefed Russell about the
challenges facing women, government efforts to improve female political
participation, and access to education.Russell also spoke with several civil society groups and the government about their anti-trafficking efforts.
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