The big picture

Rape is the biggest possible violation of female body and dignity. No crime against women is as big. Worryingly, the incidents of rape seem to be on the rise. Many men blame the victims, accusing women of luring possible rapists with their skimpy outfits. 

This is foolish. If it were true, not a single woman in Arab countries would have been raped as they cover their bodies from head to toe. The punishment for rapists in these countries is rather barbaric. Is it because extremists cannot protect burka-clad women that they mete out harsh punishments like stoning someone to death? 

Chasing mirage

A recent report released by the Department of Foreign Employment shows that around half a million Nepalis leave the country for foreign employment every year. The number is definitely higher than the comparable figure the previous years. This trend is a serious concern since the migrant workers are mostly high-potential youths. A developing country, Nepal faces big challenges. And youths are highly dissatisfied and frustrated with the situation as the nation is in transition and politics is still unstable. Inflation is growing by the day. These factors have compelled the youths to leave the country. 

Unemployment is a serious problem for national development. Several factors make the increasing unemployment a major concern: nation’s politics, poor economic growth, lack of big infrastructure, high birth rate and relatively young population. This means that many new graduates and school leavers enter labor force with poor prospects of work as economic activity is concentrated in sectors with low job creation capacities.