Armed Conflict and Trafficking

The discriminations in thoughts and deeds towards women and girl children in our society are breeding ground to several crimes and violence against them. The armed conflict has worsened the life of women and children. It dominates the situation by terrorism, deaths, and destructions. There is all-round insensitivity to the psychological trauma of a victim, of parents and guardians. Acute state of social insecurity and erosion of law is giving birth to gun totting culture and impunity.

The human dignity, human values, and social norms are in the shadows of war and everything is governed by the rule of war and hammer and anvil like tools in such time. As the natures of family violence, sexual violence, and trafficking are clandestine, unnoticeable, and most under reported in our society, these crimes have increased during the past few years. Today, on 1 July 2005, several real and heart touching case studies ranging from abductions, rapes to murders by Maoist, Army, and police were shared in a half day seminar organized by National Networking Against Girls Trafficking (NNAGT). The key speakers were Durga Ghimire, President of NNAGT, Ms. Laxmi Pokharel from ABC Nepal, Ms. Irada Gautam of AAWAJ, Ms. Sarita Aryal of Sukhi Sansar, Ms Kanta Rijal of SACPEW, Ms. Pinki Singh Rana of SAMANATA/SAATHI, Dr. Madhavi Singh of Rahat, Mr. Tirtha Khanal of Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Welfare, and myself.

But how can we prevent, and control these crimes, and how can we prosecute criminals when there is no access of police and any state agency in the villages? is a pertinent question. One spontaneous answer, probably the best one, is—we stop war and do politics for Peace and Prosperity. Peace will reinstate rule of law in the country.

Otherwise we could adopt three major strategies for the solutions. Firstly, we re-engineer--review the existing infrastructure of institutions and remodel new or revise infrastructures and amend laws and policies accordingly. Secondly, we educate and empower all potential victims through community approach. We sensitize police, army, and even Maoists to pay respect to humanity, human dignity, human rights, and humanitarian laws. Thirdly, we need to seek a great deal of cooperation and coordination of civic society and community at large to enforce laws and bring criminals to the court.