KATHMANDU, Dec. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Nepal has one of the highest maternal mortality in the world, 539 per 100,000 live births, a Nepali government official said here Saturday.
"The violence had aggravated the problems, as a result of whichthe rate of child mortality and maternal mortality has increased tremendously," Ram Hari Aryal, joint secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, said at a talk program on "Armed Conflict and Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights."
"Many women and children are deprived of essential drugs, health services, immunization, and basic necessities due to the insurgency," Rajshree Jha, associate professor of Obstetric and Gynecology Department at the Institute of Medicine of government-own Tribhuvan University of Nepal, said at the function.
Everyday hundreds of women get molested, raped and tortured in Nepal, Jha noted, adding, "Initially it used to be by the anti-government guerrillas of Nepal but now even the people who are supposed to provide security have been abusing them."
The number of rape cases were on the rise owing to violence andanomalies. "Hundreds of women are being raped at gun point," Jha said.
The women were also being forced for sex just for the sake of food and shelter, Jha added.
Over 12,000 Nepalese people have been killed since the anti-government insurgency took place in the Himalayan kingdom in February 1996. Enditem
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