World News | Nepal's EC Seeks Clarification from Mayoral Candidate over Derogatory Remarks Against Woman
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. The Election Commission (EC) of Nepal on Monday sought clarification from the CPN-UML's mayoral candidate for Kathmandu Metropolitan City over his alleged derogatory comments against a woman at a public event here.
Kathmandu, May 2 (PTI) The Election Commission (EC) of Nepal on Monday sought clarification from the CPN-UML's mayoral candidate for Kathmandu Metropolitan City over his alleged derogatory comments against a woman at a public event here.
Keshav Sthapit on Thursday made some derogatory remarks against a woman when she asked him about sexual harassment charges against him. During the #MeToo movement in 2018, Sthapit was accused of sexual harassment by at least two women.
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At the programme, replying to the questions from the woman in the audience, Sthapit said that though she looked like a nice lady her face was disgusting. He also asked, “what will happen if he publicised the girl's name in news media as having involved in the prostitution?”
As many as 45 women's rights groups on Saturday issued a statement calling Sthapit's remarks objectionable and demanded that his candidacy be scrapped. Nepal will hold local level elections on May 13.
“His statement is not only insensitive but also amounts to gender violence in itself,” the rights groups including Women's Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) said in the joint statement.
The Election Commission has sought clarification from WOREC as well.
The EC has directed Sthapit to submit his clarification on the issue within 24 hour.
Two female journalists in 2018 in social media posts alleged that they faced sexual harassment from him way back in 2012.
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)