KATHMANDU, Nov 25: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel said the government is committed to curbing the growing threat of “digital” violence against women and girls.
Speaking at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign on Tuesday, Kharel stressed the need for collective action to end online violence targeting women and girls. He said this year’s global theme is particularly relevant, noting that the digital world is now inseparable from everyday life.
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While technology has made learning and work more convenient, the minister said it remains “dangerous and unsafe” for many women and adolescent girls. Online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual use of images, hate speech, and trolling continue to create fear and intimidation, he added.
Kharel said the ministry’s objective goes beyond building infrastructure and expanding services — it aims to create a safe, inclusive and empowering digital ecosystem for every Nepali. “When half of our population does not feel safe online, our digital progress cannot be considered complete or equitable,” he said.
He highlighted ongoing efforts by the National Cyber Security Centre to build public awareness and said the recent establishment of the National AI Centre further reflects the government’s commitment to building a ‘Digital Nepal’.
Stating that the fight against digital violence cannot be won by the government alone, Kharel pledged to strengthen legal and policy frameworks. He said cyber laws will be reviewed to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.
The minister also outlined plans to integrate digital literacy into school curricula in collaboration with the education sector, encourage private-sector innovation for safer online platforms, and expand cooperation among all three tiers of government, the United Nations and civil society.
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