Kathmandu: Catholics and activists for women rights and a secular state
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - Guaranteeing the rights of women and promoting a secular vision of the country in the new national constitution. These are the demands of Nepalese Catholics and human rights activists this March 8th on the occasion of International Women's Day. During a prayer meeting in the cathedral of Kathmandu, a women's movement also called for an end of "trafficking in Nepalese women who are sold as slaves" in India and China.
Catholic women in Nepal have launched a series of events to celebrate International Women's Day. The first, on March 5, at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Kathmandu at the initiative of the group Deepshrinkhala, "Chain of Life" in the local language. The women, Christian and non, prayed for global peace and the rights of the women around the world. Flora Rai, a 60 year old Catholic, stated during the religious ceremony that "women are silent victims of all the world's problems," including "conflicts, politics or any other type of instability in a nation". Nepal, the activist continues, should not target women "by depriving them of their rights under the new Constitution," because "neither the parties nor the country" will be able to achieve their aims "without the presence of women."
Among the many violations they face, many Nepalese women end up being sold as "slaves" in the markets of China and India. "The state - said women’s activist Rupa Rai, - should not abuse their vulnerability." Tara Nepali, a 40-year old of Hindu faith, participates regularly at functions sponsored by Catholics and thanks to her relationship with the Church has become aware of universal rights. "Until two years ago – she tells AsiaNews - I was totally unaware of the rights of women." Now, she says, after meeting with Catholic and Christian activists " I can talk to women about their rights and share in their efforts to protect them." Abused in the past, Tara says, "Now nobody can torture me."
Fr. Robin Rai, assistant pastor of the Cathedral of the Assumption, emphasizes that women should "give more value to their life” and work of the Catholic Church moves to help them in this direction." Many of them”, the priest says, "knew nothing of their rights," but now "have the means to fight" so that they are respected.
The Catholic Church in Nepal, together with other organizations such as Caritas, has promoted a series of activities aimed at women. The work of Christians volunteers embraces over 34 districts in remote areas of the country, with development programs that also target education for young girls'.
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