103rd International Women’s Day
103rd International Women’s Day was marked in Nepal on 8 March, 2013. Amongst the activities around the Day, a joint rally in participation of over 60 organizations including Amnesty International Nepal was organized with their banners and plea-cards followed by extempore speeches from human rights activists and feminists to end violence against women.The program was jointly organized by civil society organizations and government agencies.
Amnesty International Nepal promoted the key messages through AI’s “My Body, My Rights” campaign’s to fulfill the objectives links to the ICPD+20 review process using the occasion as a strategic opportunity to create visibility. The event was successful to create positive pressure and call on the government for the respect and promotion of sexual and reproductive rights of young people, in particular young women and adolescent girls, when they are reviewing the commitments made in ICPD Program of Action at the 20th anniversary of its adoption in 2014.
AI Nepal members, executive board, staffs and over 50 young activists from Youth Networks showed solidarity to mark the day and promoted the campaign. The rally and demonstration was led by National Women Commission. The banners and plea-cards by AI Nepal messaging on maternal health and sexual and reproductive rights were demonstrated and engaged young people to learn about their sexual and reproductive rights.
The petition addressing government for the endorsement of comprehensive, integrated and youth friendly health services was signed by many of the participants attended rally along with young people, representatives from civil society organizations and students from various college of capital.
The signed petition will be handed over to the government during mid April before the government representatives meet at the global conference of Human Rights in the Hague in the end of April. In addition to these, AI groups and youth Networks also conducted different activities in different parts of the country.