According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashok Singh, the women cells comprise of women rights activists from all wards of the concerned VDC and aim at providing assistance to victims of domestic violence as well as gender-based discrimination and create awareness in the local level.

Meanwhile, a district-level Women Service Committee (WSC) comprising police officials and women rights activists has also been formed to provide all kinds of legal assistance to women who are subjected to domestic violence.

According to WSC Ganga Shrestha, the committee has also formed an advisory group comprising the Chief District Officer, police chief in the district, Women Development Officer and district attorney.

“We have managed to establish the VDC-level cells ensuring full representation of women rights activists from all wards,” she said, adding that they want to establish a cell in each ward of all VDCs in the district.

Shrestha, however, said that their plan to establish a shelter for victims of domestic violence has not been materialised due to lack of funds.

Police said easy access to women cell at each VDC has helped victims get support. “Many victims could not reach police in the past. However, the new cells have enabled them to seek justice,” Singh said, adding that Dhading was the first district in the country to establish a women cell in each VDC.