18th June 2012, KATHMANDU at Nepal tourism Board: Closing ceremony of 60 days campaign for witch allegation was held on 18th June to urge the government, political parties and stakeholders to consider allegation of witchcraft as a "social crime" which campaign was started from 10th 2012. That campaign was organized by National Alliance for Women Human Rights Defenders (NAWHRD), WOREC Nepal, Women's Forum for Women, National Women's Rights Forum, Kritika campaign, Care Nepal and Action aid Nepal and coordinated by NAWHRD and WOREC Nepal. Voices of different women who are blamed as witch were shared. Mostly single, old age, a poor woman who does not have strong support are blaming as witches in the community shared Dr.Renu Rajbhandari president of National Alliance for Women Human Rights Defender. Brief report of the 60 days campaign was shared at the program where sensitization program has been reached in 75 districts and different community based advocacy done in 18 districts. Political leader Mr.Arun Narshing KC, Nepali Congress committed to support to end the violence against women specially which is increased by harmful practices in society. Ms.Sujita Sakya, CPN UML appreciated to all activists who are lobbying and advocating in this campaign and shared that her party has the provision to end the violence against women. She shared that Akhil Nepal Women's Association (sister organization of CPN UML) has already planned to lobby for end all types of VAW. Former peace minister and representative of UCPN Maoist Ms Satya pahadi regretted not to able to endorse the bill against such kinds of harmful social practices on her government due to suddenly changed the political scenario. She claimed that women are facing discrimination due to no access and control over property and economically backward than male. Women should be economically empowered to end the violence against women. A 60-day nationwide campaign launched demanding an end to discrimination against women which is happening on the name of harmful practices.
Women rights activists shared that they could not work fully focusing on the witchcraft due to the political situation. The campaign was initiated to put pressure on government and other stakeholders seeking immediate attention on witchcraft accusation. Dr. Renu Rajbhandari said they have sought legal support for witchcraft victims to ensure their social, economical and cultural rights. She said the lack of laws to punish witch-hunters is to blame why Nepali women are still the victims of witchcraft and urged government to pass a national law on offence and punishment on witchcraft accusation.
Member of National Human Rights Commission Mr. Gauri Pradhan claimed that more than 50 percent population believe on the God power and will change their view recently. He focused to change the mind set first to end the violence through the malpractices. He addressed that witchcraft is not only one in Nepal but also in all over the world but many people are vanishing by social and cultural believe. Advocate Shanta Sedhai representative of BAR Association shared her experience how the women are not getting justice and all patriarchal minds set being the obstacle for social justice. She requested all human and women rights activists to be pressurized the government to promulgate the bill on witchcraft. Mr.Denesh Tripati representative of Supreme Court and human rights activists expressed his experience that there is lack of proper implementation mechanism of different national and international laws and instrument. Member of National Women Commission Ms. Manu Humagain urged all stakeholders to make solidarity to end violence against women through such kinds of harmful social practices.