National Alliance of Women Human Rights Defenders (NAWHRD), on behalf of other women's rights networks, submitted an attention letter (Dhyanakarshan Patra) to Home Minister, Bamdev Gautam, today at Ministry of Home Affairs, Singha Durbar. The memorandum letter aimed at drawing the attention of the government regarding the case of Babita Jaiswal, who was injured during a peace rally conducted for Pooja Sah(a 6-year-old girl from Bara, who was raped and lost her life a few days after at Kanti Hospital, Kathmandu) Jaiswal, along with 17 other women human rights defenders, were severely beaten by police during the peace rally. The victim has bruises all over her body and had a fractured arm. Jaiswal recently underwent surgery at B& B Hospital, Gwarko. She has not recovered completely and is still visiting the hospital for follow-up.

NAWHRD had earlier submitted the attention letter to Health and Population Minister Khadgaraj Adhikari. Despite drawing the attention of concerned authorities time and again, Jaiswal has not received any compensation from the government. It is a matter of shame that the government is being unable to provide security to women human rights defenders working to ensure the rights of women.

The five-point demand submitted to the government is given below:

1. Babita Jaiswal, along with other women human rights defenders, injured at the rally should get appropriate reparation

2. The victims of rape and other forms of violence against women should be given justice through fast track mechanism

3. The culprits, who commit rape to women and children, should be punished immediately

4. The government should guarantee the security of women human rights defenders

5. Four-year-old girl from Bharat Pokhari, Kaski, who was raped on Falgun 20, should receive free medication facilities as her health is deteriorating and the victim's family should also get compensation and the perpetrator should get severe punishment.

After the briefing of the letter, Minister Gautam said that it is a matter of shame that the cases of rape and violence against women are on the rise in Nepal. He assured that the government will follow-up the case of Babita Jaiswal and provide her with proper compensation. There are also investigations being done in order to find the culprits of different cases. He further added that the government is determined to provide justice to the victims of rape and violence against women.