US to protect women, girls in quake-hit Nepal: resolution

WASHINGTON: To help protect women and girls in the relief and recovery assistance in quake-hit Nepal, a bipartisan Congressional resolution has been introduced in the US House of Representatives.

The resolution pledges that "the US should work with the Government of Nepal to ensure that the unique needs, vulnerabilities, and capacities of women and girls are considered and addressed in efforts to provide humanitarian relief and assistance in reconstruction in the aftermath of the April 25 earthquake."

"There are 17 other co-sponsor to the resolution. The events of April 25 and May 12 are unbelievably tragic, with a horrific and unimaginable loss of life," Congressman Mike Honda, who introduced the resolution, said yesterday.

"The US must make a full and prioritised commitment to help protect women and girls in our relief and recovery assistance in Nepal," he said.

Too often in times of natural disasters and conflict, women and girls are the most vulnerable to the dangers of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and abuse, he added.

"As our brave American women and men work with the Government of Nepal, relief agencies, and the international organisations to bring the Nepalese people to safety and security, we need to ensure every effort is made to protect and empower women and girls in the post-disaster reconstruction and development efforts," Honda said.

"Gender inequality remains an issue worldwide, and in no context is it more apparent than conflict and post-disaster settings," said Christine Hart, Senior Manager for Policy and Government Affairs at Women Thrive Worldwide.

"In natural disasters, women and girls constitute the majority of deaths. They face gendered challenges and vulnerabilities including inequitable access to resources like food and shelter, increased risk of gender-based violence, and a lack of access to educational and livelihood opportunities in displacement and post-disaster settings," he added.