NA to be gender-friendly

KATHMANDU, JAN 03 - The Nepal Army has endorsed two directives to ensure gender-friendly working environment within the institution.

Issuing a press statement on Friday, the NA's Public Relations Directorate said that the new 'Gender Behaviours Directive 2014' and 'Women Military Directive 2014' are a step ahead in the effective implementation “zero tolerance” policy on gender-based discrimination in the institution.

The directives include the definition of gender-based violence, the procedure for filing the complaints and action against them. The national army, which had been recruiting females under the technical category like nursing and medical since 1965, began hiring women in the general military service only in 2005. The NA now has allotted 20 percent of inclusive quotas for women.

The inclusive quota includes Madhesis, Janajatis and Dalits and should cover 45 percent of the total NA recruits. The Army has 2,246 women officials in various positions, which is nearly three percent percent of the total army staff, according to the statement.