Kathmandu: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has expressed profound regret over a tragic incident in Bardiya district where a girl took her own life, an event that also led to the death of her 61-year-old father. The incident underscores the ongoing struggle for basic rights, as the girl faced insurmountable obstacles in obtaining a citizenship certificate.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Prime Minister Karki, in her role as Head of Government, apologized to the citizens for these deaths, calling them a “disgrace to our society.” She highlighted the judicial and administrative challenges that contributed to such tragedies and instructed the Home Minister to conduct a thorough investigation and take necessary action.
In another pressing issue, the Nepal Police released a report indicating that most cases of sexual violence against women are perpetrated by individuals known to the victims, such as relatives and neighbors. The report, shared during a program at the Police Headquarters as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, reveals an alarming rise in domestic violence cases. This increase suggests that while women are more willing to report such incidents, the interventions for empowerment remain insufficient.
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2025 ranked Nepal 72nd out of 123 countries, showing improvements in food security but highlighting persistent nutritional challenges leading to child stunting. This ranking calls for quality investment in children’s health and underscores issues like poverty, shrinking agricultural output, and limited healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas.
Furthermore, the mass migration of Nepali youths, with over 2,000 leaving daily, highlights the country’s inability to provide domestic employment opportunities despite constitutional guarantees. The disconnect between education, skills training, and market needs is a significant gap that needs addressing. Migrant workers, upon returning, often struggle with reintegration into their families and communities, facing either a lack of financial planning or increased distress.
The current civilian government, tasked with holding elections to the House of Representatives, faces the dual challenge of ensuring human rights while stabilizing governance. The recent Gen Z movement, which protested against poor governance and corruption, resulted in over 72 deaths and significant property damage. It emphasized the citizens’ demand for dignity, employment, and efficient public services, all of which are intrinsically linked to human rights.
The Gen Z movement has heightened expectations from the government to acknowledge and effectively address the citizens’ rights. It also serves as a critical test for state agencies to move beyond past political interference and fulfill their responsibilities in promoting and protecting human rights.