KATHMANDU: Former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has called on the state and society to unite against rape, murder and other forms of violence targeting women and children.

Bhandari made the appeal while expressing deep concern over the recent rape and murder of three-year-old Garima Chaudhary in Bara. She urged authorities to conduct a fair, prompt and effective investigation and ensure that those responsible face strict punishment under the law.

She said the safety and dignity of women and children are not issues confined to any political party or ideology, but a national concern linked to human dignity, social justice and the state’s fundamental responsibility.

Bhandari called on state agencies, political parties, organisations working for women’s and children’s rights, civil society, the media and citizens to unite against such heinous crimes.

She said punishing perpetrators after an incident is not enough, stressing the need to strengthen child-protection mechanisms, ensure effective investigations and judicial processes, and provide necessary protection and justice to victims and their families.

She also called for a firm national commitment to prevent perpetrators from receiving any form of political or social protection.

Bhandari urged political parties and their affiliated organisations, rights activists, civil society, the media and citizens to rise above party politics and ideology and join a common civic effort against violence targeting women and children.

“The time has come not to remain silent, but to stand together, raise our voices and take necessary action to protect the safety, dignity and honour of our daughters and children,” she said.

She stressed that both the state and society must undertake serious self-reflection and take effective measures to ensure that no girl or woman suffers such inhumane violence again. She also pledged her continued support for collective initiatives aimed at protecting the safety and dignity of women and children.