Nepal's apex court today asked the government to put women at the centre of COVID-19 response.

The Supreme Court (SC) observed that women’s interests had not been protected in the distribution of relief materials and quarantine management and the government had not ensured representation of women in the High-level COVID-19 Crisis Management and Coordination Committee.

The SC ordered the government to ensure women’s inclusive representation in any discussion, mechanism or committee related to COVID management and control.

Observing that there has been an unprecedented rise in crimes against women during the pandemic worldwide, the apex court ordered the government to immediately start online case registration and hearing for victims of gender and domestic violence. It added that since lockdown had impacted the service of Nepal Police, courts and other agencies, online case registration and hearing were necessary to ensure women’s right to justice.

https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/put-women-at-centre-of-covid-response-supreme-court/