While digital technology offers great opportunities for women's empowerment and inclusion, investment from governments and the private sector is needed to realize such opportunities, said UN Women Assistant Secretary-General Nyaradjayi Gumbonjwanda. In an interaction with media persons in Kathmandu, she pointed out that while technology itself is inclusive, if the necessary investment and access are not ensured, it will remain expensive and out of reach for many. 'This in turn deepens the digital divide,' she said, 'so investment is needed to make technology accessible to all or develop it as a public good and connect women, especially in rural and marginalized areas, to the digital world.'

Gumbonjwanda also said that she is aware that the increasing dependence on technology can have a serious impact on the mental health of young people. On her first official visit to Nepal, she believes that although the development of technology is positive, the challenges it brings cannot be ignored. ‘The habit of being obsessed with gadgets is destroying the skills of social interaction among young people,’ Gumbonjwanda said in a discussion with journalists on Friday. ‘Due to their dependence on technology, young people are moving away from physical and social activities like playing football or cricket or walking in the park.’ Gumbonjwanda said that UN Women has been conducting programs like hackathons to make young women skilled in technology and has always prioritized their mental health and overall development. ‘Young people must also have the courage and confidence to use digital tools because only if they understand the digital system well can they contribute to solutions to the problems it creates,’ she said. In the discussion, UN Women Regional Director Christine Arab highlighted the mental and physical effects of digital violence. According to her, digital violence can also manifest itself in physical forms and its impact is serious. “Referral services such as victim support agencies should be made available to those experiencing digital violence,” she said, “Any country should adopt cybersecurity measures to prevent online bullying, harassment and abuse against women and children.”

UN Women’s Nepal Representative Patricia Fernandez-Pacheco said that legal reforms are needed to address issues including violence against women in the technology and digital sectors. She also informed that UN Women is coordinating with the Nepal government to develop a roadmap and an umbrella law.

During her visit to Nepal, Gumbonjwanda met and discussed with high-level government officials and women from the community. She met with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security Sita Badi. She said that she also discussed Nepal's development and gender equality priorities in her meetings with the National Planning Commission, the Election Commission, and the acting mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol.