KATHMANDU: The Department of Immigration has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs to amend the procedure requiring family’s consent for women and girls under the age of 40 traveling abroad.

The Department has sent the proposal regarding visit visas proposing women below 40 years need to produce a recommendation from the ward office and ‘family consent’ if they are traveling alone.

Information Officer Tek Narayan Poudel said that the procedure has been sent to amend the law in a bid to reduce human trafficking, physical exploitation and other crimes against women.

Necessary discussions will be held in the law department of the Ministry. The procedure will be implemented soon, according to Ministry sources.

Likewise, women traveling abroad also should buy non-life insurance of up to Rs 1.50 million. However, a woman under 40 years does not have to get insurance or produce a ward’s recommendation if they are not traveling alone.

The proposal to amend the existing procedure has been made to make sure that women are not exploited.