Women, Children and War

• Overview of the Consequences of Conflict on Women and Children
• Maoist Abduction of Children for Soldiers
• Maoist Perspective: Children in the War Zone
• Rape for Profit: Neplai Women and Girls Sold into Sex Slavery
• Gathering Fuel: Sexual Attacks
• "Half Widows" result of Disappearances
• 2006 UNICEF report on Women and Children in Nepal ( very well done!)
• Nepali Women's Voice, "We Want  a Lasting Peace."
• Women's Voices Must Emerge as Leaders

Consequences of Conflict

Nepal has witnessed a gradual increase in the incidence of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and suicide since the beginning of the conflict . Mental health services, which were rudimentary to begin with, have been further fragmented. Health experts estimate the prevalence of mental health problems in Nepal to be as high as 30 %.

Women and children are bearing the major brunt of the war. With literacy among women as low as 36%, the political violence has had a negative impact on women's rights and health. The Maoists have capitalized on the plight of women, who have been marginalized for decades in Nepalese society and enrolled them into the conflict in large numbers Nearly half of all Maoist rebels are women and their sexual exploitation is not uncommon. The conflict has also contributed to an increase in the trafficking of Nepalese women and girls, nearly 5000 to 10,000 a year to Indian brothels. The youth have fled the country in large numbers to Indian cities and the Middle East, leaving women and children behind.

Children have been particularly affected by the insurgency. Some estimate that around 100, 000 children have been affected by the war and the numbers likely to increase to 500,000 as the conflict expands. Conservative estimates in 2003 showed that at least 146 children have died, 2000 have been orphaned, and 3000 have become homeless. While the government vehemently denies the use of child-soldiers, around 10–15% of the recruits are under the age of 18 years (possibly due to birth registration irregularities which are not uncommon in developing nations). The Maoists previously denied the use of child-soldiers. However, according to an estimate in 2000, around 30 % of the Maoist soldiers were children. They have been utilized as informants, porters, and for cultural propaganda. Earlier in 2004 the Maoists announced a plan to create a militia of 50,000 child soldiers. Although the numbers of recruits planned may be ambitiously inflated, they have resorted to mass- abduction of children as young as 12 from schools and classrooms in Western Nepal. The abducted children are indoctrinated and given training in guerilla warfare. This marks a major departure from their previous commitments to avoid recruiting children below the age of 18.