Government Reports: Promising Practices

Nepal: CEDAW 4th and 5th combined periodic reports

Nepal has submitted its Initial Report in 1997 and Second and Third Combined Report in 2003. This Fourth and Fifth Combined Periodic Report covers the period up to 2008. During this period Nepal has made significant progress in the sphere of protection to, promotion and fulfillment of the rights emanated from the CEDAW. Nepal has ratified Optional Protocol to the CEDAW. It has incorporated many significant provisions in the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007 and enacted many valuable legislations such as the Domestic Violence (Crime and Punishment) Act, the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act, National Women Commission Act, the Citizenship Act, An Act to Amend some Nepalese Acts to Maintain Gender Equalities, An Act to Amend some Nepalese Acts relating to the Court Management and Administration of Justice and 11th Amendment of the Country Code. Accordingly many rules are framed and plans, action plans and programmes are being implemented. To read full report click here

Nepal: A Study on Gender-Based Violence Conducted in Selected Rural Districts of Nepal

Violence Against Women occurs in all societies and at any stage of a woman’s lifecycle. It can even occur before a girl is born through sexselective abortion and menace women throughout their old age. Some types of VAW such as sexual violence and domestic violence, occur in all cultures, although they are more common in some than others. Girls and women in Nepal are exposed to a variety of forms of violence, many of which are suffered by women globally, and others that are seen more commonly in Nepal than elsewhere. The latter includes punishment for witchcraft (Boxi). To read more click here

UK. Government Launches National Action Plan to Tackle Child Abuse Linked To Faith and Belief

The Department for Education released this national action plan to help raise awareness of the issue of child abuse linked to faith or belief and to encourage practical steps to be taken to prevent such abuse. It has been developed through partnership on the National Working Group between central government and local statutory partners, faith leaders, voluntary sector organisations and the Metropolitan Police. See full details here 

India: Panel to check witchcraft

A committee has been constituted to formulate the modalities for keeping tabs on those who exploit people in the name of astrology and witchcraft. More here

UK Government Action Plan to Tackle Child Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief

August 2012:An action plan to cut through the “wall of silence” around ritual child abuse and neglect in the name of witchcraft, spirit possession, the supernatural and faith has been released by the Department of Education. Drawn up with faith leaders, charities, the Metropolitan Police, and statutory partners, it says that there needs to be closer engagement with local communities and churches to prevent abuse.

It proposes stronger training and information for social workers, police and other frontline practitioners working with children; and better access to psychological and therapeutic support for victims. Click here to go to report.

UK – Child Abuse Linked to Accusations of “Possession” and “Witchcraft”

This report concerns the frequency and severity of child abuse linked to accusations of “possession” and “witchcraft”. It identifies key features common to these cases, draws conclusions and makes recommendations.