VAW cases go unchecked during COVID-19: NWC

KATHMANDU:- Incidents of violence against women (VAW) have gone rampant during COVID-19, it has been said.
From January 16 to February 3, a total of 294 VAW cases were registered at the National Women Commission (NWC), said the NWC Chairperson Kamala Parajuli at a press conference here Friday. The same number of VAW cases was registered through toll free numbers, she added.
Meanwhile, the NWC has been assisting VAW victims through various means ranging from carrying out a field inspection of the incident site and providing suggestion to the government in curbing VAW cases.
Relief amount of Rs 500,000 has been provided to Muna Magar of Godabari, who was recently burnt by sprinkling kerosene over her body. Similarly, Rs 500,000 has been provided as relief assistance to Laxmi Bhat of Doti, who was also burnt by pouring kerosene over her body. The funds were taken from the Gender based Violence Prevention Fund. Also, a woman, a victim of an attempted rape, received Rs 300,000 while a woman of Swayambhu, who faced tortures in the alleged accusation of practicing witchcraft, received Rs 500,000 as relief amount.
The Commission has also held discussions with the high level committee and stakeholders in preventing and controlling gender-based violence that has gone unchecked especially during the COVID-19 restriction, it has been said.