Violence against women rampant in South Asia: Activists

LALITPUR, Nov 16 - Cases of violence against women in politics have mounted in south Asian countries, according to leading women’s rights activists. Leading women’s rights activists in South Asian countries said that women are more prone to physical and mental violence in politics.

During the Second South Asian Regional Conference ...

Saying that ‘invisible violence’ is rampant in the politics, Chittra Lekha Yadav, Nepali Congress lawmaker and the former deputy speaker, claimed that women’s participation in politics is declining due to the same.

Bangladeshi women activist Talia Rehman mentioned that women politicians have been abused sexually. According to her, women’s participation in politics did not flourishing due to the men’s majority and the mindset that women are not capable.

Likewise, Mahfuza Fulad from Afghanistan said that South Asian women are highly victimised by violence and such incidences are increasing.

Dr. Rohit Kumar Nepali, SAP International Executive Director, cited that women participation in politics is dropping off as the violence inflicted at work can have its effect in it. He added policy and social systems are not only the affecting factor.

Altogether 120 representatives from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka took part in the programme organised by SAP International.