- Tuesday, 16 September 2025
Kathmandu, Aug 1: Meetings of the four parliamentary committees under the Federal Parliament are scheduled to take place today.
As per the agenda, meetings of the Agriculture, Cooperative and Natural Resources Committee, Education, Health and Information Technology Committee, Legislation Management Committee and Federalism Enablement and National Concerns Committee are set to be held today.
In the meeting of the Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee, there is an agenda to discuss the ‘Bill to amend some Nepal Acts related to land, 2082’ with the concerned ministries at the federal and provincial levels, Municipal Association of Nepal (MUAN), National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal (NATMIN), and experts in the fields of land, forest, and law. The committee meeting is to be held at 12:30 pm in own meeting hall.
The meeting of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee has an agenda to hold clause-wise discussion on the ‘Media Council Bill, 2080’. It is scheduled for 2:30 pm in the committee’s working room.
Similarly, the meeting of the Legislative Management Committee will take place at 1:00 pm in the committee’s meeting room. There is a programme to have a clause-wise discussion on the ‘Water Resources Bill, 2081’.
In the meeting of the Federalism Enablement and National Concerns Committee, discussions will take place on the status of progress of the implementation of national pride projects under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, challenges faced, efforts made to solve problems and expectations with the committee. It is set to take place at the committee’s working room at 11:00 am.
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Heavy rainfall predicted in hilly areas of Bagmati tonight
Kathmandu, Aug 1: The Meteorological Forecasting Division has predicted general changes in the weather across the country today.
Moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning is likely to take place in several hilly areas of the Koshi, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces, as well as in some parts of the Terai region this afternoon, the Division said.
Similarly, there is a possibility of moderate rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning in many hilly areas of the country, including the Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces and some parts of the Terai tonight.
There are chances of heavy rainfall in some hilly areas of Bagmati province. With this, there is a risk of soil erosion, flooding, and extreme water flow patterns, it is stated.
The Division has urged all concerned to remain alert with chances of urban and Terai areas experiencing flooding, and the water level rising in large and small rivers and streams.
Further, the public and all relevant organizations have been advised to take precautionary and preparedness measures with excessive rainfall likely to impact daily life, agriculture, health, tourism, construction, road, and airways.
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Nepal elected to ECOSOC President
Kathmandu, Aug 1: Nepal was elected the President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Being elected to the global position on Thursday, Nepal has also assumed the office.
After the election, Ambassador of Nepal to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa called it a “historic moment” for the country and its enduring commitment to multilateralism.
Thapa said that the motto of his presidency will be “Delivering Better,” which requires strengthening partnerships and multilateralism to achieve effective implementation of initiatives, including the 2030 Agenda adopted 15 years ago.
“Delivering better is not an option — it is an imperative. It is our pathway to restoring trust in multilateralism, bridging divides, empowering the most vulnerable and translating commitments into action,” he noted on the occasion.
As informed, Amar Bendjama (Algeria), Héctor Gómez Hernández (Spain), Wellington Darío Bencosme Castaños (Dominican Republic) and Paruyr Hovhannisyan (Armenia) were also elected to the vice-presidents of the ECOSOC for the coming year.
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Survivors of sexual violence in want of stronger support and justice systems
Kathmandu, Aug 1: “Despite gradual legal reforms in Nepal aimed at addressing sexual violence, survivors particularly women and girls from Dalit, Indigenous, Madhesi, Muslim, and disabled communities continue to face deep-rooted stigma, impunity, and systemic barriers while seeking justice that remains largely elusive for them.”
This was somehow the shared sentiment of over 30 representatives from marginalised communities, civil society organisations, legal experts, media, and policymakers during a national consultation concluded on Thursday in Lalitpur.
“There is still a prevailing culture of silence when it comes to cases of sexual violence,” said senior advocate Meera Dhungana at the event. “Victim-blaming, economic insecurity, lack of a robust state support system, and poor implementation of laws often silence survivors or force them to withdraw complaints. Those reporting abuse often face the dire consequence of being displaced from their homes, and left in the lurch to struggle for basic needs like food and shelter.”
Dhungana, who made legal history over two decades ago by filing a writ that led to the criminalization of marital rape in Nepal in 2002, emphasized that these barriers remain consistent across different identities whether survivors are Indigenous, Dalit, or from other marginalized groups.
The consultation acknowledged recent steps in legal reforms, such as extending the statute of limitations for rape cases, as signs of progress.
However, participants were univocal in their concerns over lax implementation and inadequate survivor-centric practices. “We face barriers at every level,” shared a representative from the disability rights community. “From inaccessible court building structures without ramps to the absence of sign language interpreters, our voices are often left unheard.”
The participants called for a holistic, survivor-centric approach that goes beyond prosecution. Key areas of concerns include access to long-term mental health care, community reintegration, economic support, and legal empowerment. Many agreed that current policies and practices overlook these vital aspects of security and justice.
Furthermore, speakers emphasized the importance of generating disaggregated data to better understand the specific needs of marginalised communities and design evidence-based inclusive policies. They called for greater collaborations among organisations working on disability rights, women’s rights, and the rights of ethnic and caste-based minorities. Such collaboration, they argued, is essential to build a comprehensive and inclusive support systems.
“This moment demands more than reflection. It requires transformation,” said Upasana Rana, Executive Director of Women for Human Rights (WHR). She asserted that survivors must be at the center of justice reforms not just as beneficiaries, but as decision-makers.
Julie Thekkudan from Equality Now echoed the urgency: “Until Nepal addresses the overlapping inequalities of caste, ethnicity, gender, and disability, justice will remain out of reach for many. Progress should be measured by the lived experiences of survivors but not merely on the basis of legal texts.”
Highlighting the vital role of the media in advocating for unhindered justice mechanisms for survivors of sexual violence, Nirmala Sharma, Chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), strongly urged state institutions and civil society organizations pitching for women’s rights to act decisively to ensure justice for survivors. “Actions must be prioritized to deliver results,” she stressed.
The Nepal Police data underscores the urgency of the issue with 2,507 cases of sexual violence being reported in Nepal between 2023 and 2024 – up from 2,380 cases in the previous reporting year.
Dalit women and girls continue to face the brunt of such violence, with rape and kidnapping being among the most frequently reported crimes.
Indigenous women, who represent a population often left behind by the justice systems, face added challenges navigating legal processes. These issues come with further compounding impacts on women and girls with disabilities, who often lack the accommodations necessary to report crimes or testify safely, it is said.
As one participant stressed, “We cannot build a just society by leaving behind the ones who are disproportionately impacted.”
The consultation was co-hosted by Equality Now and the South Asian Movement for Accessing Justice (SAMAJ), in partnership with WHR, FEDO Nepal, and Forum for Women, Law and Development.
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Party registration called for by-election
Kathmandu, Aug 1: The Election Commission (EC) has called for all political parties to register their parties for the by-election to be held in Rupandehi electoral constituency-3 on coming November 3.
Issuing a notice today, the EC said that the application can be submitted to the central office of the Commission for the registration of the party from August 6-12.
It may be noted that the EC earlier had approved the election schedule for the by-election.
Candidacy nomination will take place at the office of the returning officer from 10 am to 5 pm on October 7, and the list of candidates will be published on the same evening, it is informed.
The final list of candidates will be published on October 10. Voting will take place at the respective polling stations from 7 am to 5 pm on November 3.
The Commission has stated that persons whose name were included in the closed list for the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections under the proportional electoral system are not eligible to be a candidate in the by-election.
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Nepal-China diplomatic relation enters 70 years
Kathmandu, Aug 1: The Nepal-China diplomatic relation has entered into 70 years from today onward.
To mark the occasion, the 70th years of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Nepal and China is being celebrated with several programmes in Kathmandu and Beijing today.
The historical relation that had officially begun after the wedding of then Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo with Princes Bhrikuti has been further expanded in the modern era.
Diplomatic relations with China was established on the day today in 1 August 1955.
Both countries have accorded high priority to promote bilateral relations based on the principles of Panchasheel i.e. peaceful coexistence, mutual cooperation, territorial integrity, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference.
The top leadership of both countries is actively working to further strengthen the relationship, noted Rajeshwar Acharya, Nepal’s former ambassador to China.
As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has played a tangible role in global politics, emphasizing an effective world governance system based on law, cooperation and partnership for international peace and security, and the construction of a shared future, he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to attend a reception to be hosted by Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song this evening on the occasion, PM’s private secretary said.
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