Kathmandu. The Women and Social Affairs Committee under the House of Representatives has instructed the government to arrange help desks in holding centers for the protection of women, children and other vulnerable groups in the flood-affected areas.
Chairperson Akriti Awasthi informed that the committee meeting held on Friday instructed to set up a help desk and appoint a contact person.
She said that there is a risk of misusing the sensitive situation of the disaster and giving the victims temptation, pressure and false assurances in the name of employment, relief, return home or taking them to a safe place. The committee concluded that the safety of citizens in holding centers in Rasuwa's Betravati and Trishuli Corridors, Timure, Khattekhola, Syafrubesi, Hankubesi and Mailung is particularly sensitive.
The committee has directed that women, teenagers, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups may be at risk of sexual exploitation, gender-based violence, abuse, human trafficking and other violence and harassment to make effective arrangements for protection and protection.
The committee has instructed the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security to operate help desks in relief camps targeting at-risk groups and to immediately mobilize women's cells at the local level in an active and effective manner. Chairperson Awasthi said that instructions have also been given to provide legal assistance while maintaining the confidentiality of complaints and information received from victims and to ensure a safe referral mechanism to relevant agencies as needed.
Speaking about the situation in the flood and landslide affected areas, she said, 'Due to the floods and landslides in Bhotekosi, the affected districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, especially Rasuwa's Betravati and Trishuli Corridors, Timure, Khattekhola Syafrubesi, Hankubesi, Mailung, etc., are taking advantage of the sensitive situation of the disaster to provide jobs, provide relief, and return home to the citizens in relief camps and temporary shelters. In the name of giving or taking them to a safe place, there is a possibility that the wrong people can give false assurances under temptation, pressure or false assurance.
Regarding risk reduction and protection, she added, 'Thus, women, teenagers, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are at risk of sexual exploitation, gender-based violence, abuse, human trafficking and other forms of violence and harassment.'
Clarifying the steps to be taken to reduce the risk, she said, 'To ensure effective protection and protection of citizens, privacy and dignity should be fully protected and contact persons and helpdesks should be arranged in each relief camp and temporary shelter targeting at-risk groups.'
Speaking about the operation of women's cells and legal assistance, she added, "The Ministry is instructed to ensure the provision of immediate active and effective operation of women's cells at the local level, as well as maintaining the confidentiality of received complaints and information, and ensuring an effective mechanism for safe referral to legal aid and related agencies."
The committee has also decided to form a sub-committee according to the thematic cluster for study, research and coordination regarding women, children, gender and sexual minorities, persons with disabilities and senior citizens. According to Chairman Awasthi, a sub-committee is going to be formed to ensure that the MPs who have competence, leadership ability and experience in the committee can be mobilized in the relevant cluster to study and make necessary suggestions. She informed that it was decided to form the said sub-committee on party basis.
