Kathmandu (Pahichan) April 17 – The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has already spread in more than 200 countries in the world. Nearly, two-million people are already infected from the virus. With the initiation of rapid test, the number of infected people are rising day by day in Nepal.  In the time of crisis, all civil society organizations should support the initiations taken by government.  We must welcome initiations taken by government to control the Coronavirus.

In order to contain the spread of Coronavirus, many countries are in lockdown. Right now, there are not any alternatives to lockdown. However, people from poor and marginalized community who depend on daily-wage to join hands and mouth are facing extreme difficulties. Therefore, government should be more sensitive to the problems faced by marginalized community. The constitution has defined certain communities as marginalized community so they should be protected during the time of difficulties. sexual and gender minorities are always in vulnerable community. The lockdown has pushed them in a difficult situation that is why we urge federal, provincial and local community to take immediate steps.

Lock-down:  Let’s ensure people’s right to health

The quarantine built in various parts of the country should be LGBTI-friendly.  There are reports that cases of gender violence is increasing in various parts of the country. So authorities should instruct the concerned agencies to take measures to curb domestic violence. Similarly, efforts must be taken to maintain the secrecy of infected people. The patients of HIV and other diseases needs regular medical facilities which needs to be ensured during the time of crisis.

Recently, 16 organizations issued an appeal showing concerns over the plights of this community. But there are some factual errors in the statement. Those organizations who claim themselves for the welfare of LGBTI community needs to be even more serious. Many organizations have not taken any measures to provide relief package to LGBTI community. Instead of depending on government, civil society organizations should come forward with relief package.

Civil society organizations should collect the data of member of this community who are facing economic hardship. On the basis of collected data, they should provide some reliefs to them. We know that to get the relief provided by local governments, members of this community must introduce the identity card and citizenship certificate of their house-owner. Many of them do not have any identity card and house-owners are not cooperating them. So, organizations working in this sector take initiations to resolve the problems faced by this community.