Towards this end, the government blocked access to nearly 16,000 porn sites operating in the country’s internet space.

“After daughters and daughters-in-laws started feeling insecure at home, we started blocking such sites,” informed Gokul Baskota, Nepal Minister for Communications and Information Technology.

Speaking further on the growing violence against women resulting in rapes, murders and other illicit activities, the Minister said that this is because of insane people and degenerate mentality.

“The government has not gone insane. Not all Nepalis are insane. Thus, incidents of rape and murder will go down gradually,” added the Minister.

The government’s announcement to ban online pornography has come at a time when the whole country is facing heat waves of protests at all levels over rape and murder of a 13-yr-old school girl named Nirmala Pant from far west Nepal in the month of July 2018.

#JusticeForNirmala has been trending in Nepal in support of protesters demanding justice for Nirmala’s family who had earlier publicly appealed for justice.

Adding to the heat arrived another incident that involved rape and killing of another 10-yr-old school girl in September 2018, followed by acid attack on two other teen-sisters Samjhana and Sushmita Das.

Reaction to Ban
Responding on the ban of online pornography, Shubha Kayastha of the Internet Society Nepal, says, “It is merely a diversionary tactic to hide the government’s incompetence in prosecuting rapists.”

Kayastha is doubtful if the government’s move would be able to curb such illicit acts again women and girls.

Kayastha suggests that better approach to address sexual violence would rather be empowering people and take necessary strict measures against the accused.

“Instead of censoring materials on the internet, the government should direct its attention towards ending impunity instead of trying to find quick-fixes,” says Kayastha.

Now, it’s time for the public to voice their opinions on the proposed move!

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