KATHMANDU: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel has said the government is committed to preventing rising forms of digital violence against women and girls, amid rapid technological change.
Inaugurating the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign in Kathmandu on Sunday, Minister Kharel stressed the need for collective action to end online abuse targeting women and girls. He noted that this year’s global theme is highly relevant, as the digital world can no longer be seen as separate from daily life.
While technology has made learning and work easier, it still poses significant risks for many women and adolescents, he said. “Online harassment, cyberstalking, unauthorized use of images, hate speech, and trolling create fear and intimidation,” he added.
Minister Kharel said the government’s goal goes beyond infrastructure expansion and service delivery, aiming to build a safe, inclusive, and empowering digital ecosystem for every Nepali. “When half of our population does not feel safe online, we cannot consider our digital progress complete or fair,” he remarked.
He highlighted that the National Cyber Security Centre is working to promote digital awareness, while the recent establishment of the National AI Center reflects the government’s commitment to advancing a secure Digital Nepal.
Minister Kharel emphasized that the fight against digital violence cannot be won by the government alone. He announced plans to strengthen legal and policy frameworks, review cyber laws to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators, and integrate digital literacy into school curricula in coordination with the education sector.
He also outlined efforts to collaborate with the private sector to encourage safe platform development, as well as coordinated work with all three tiers of government, the United Nations, and civil society to combat digital violence effectively.
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