Violence against women in Nepal

We live in patriarchy society and it begins within the family where all the major decisions are taken by head of the family i.e. by men where it is clearly seen the gender inequality. For individuals all over the world, home is a guarded paradise, yet it is at home that many people all over the world are kept through terrible crimes of terror and violence and even death at the hands of family members who are supposed to love and protect them. They are tormented physically, sexually and psychologically.

In Nepal violence against women is one of the major factors responsible for the poor health of women, livelihood, insecurity and inadequate social mobilization. Several research projects in Nepal have indicated that 66 percent women have endured verbal abuse, 33 percent emotional abuse while 77 percent of the criminals were family (UNICEF, 2001). This indicates that women are not even safe in their home. Although, when abuse is the inside the home, it is pardoned by large part of the society.

In simple words, right to make decisions, choices and even to have an opinion on any matters are quite a hassle if it would have been for a woman. However, things are evolving on this subject, but majority of us are still lacking on realization of the importance of education because according to UNESCO, an adult literacy rate of 67.91percent. While the male literacy rate is 78.59 percent, for female is 59.72 percent, showing a big gap between the sexes. While on one hand a society that lacks proper education to the girls has drastically and proportionately raised abuse and crimes to females.

Even though literacy rate has increased, new modern technology and TV crime shows has major contribution too in the increase crimes nowadays such as cybercrime, bully, online abuses, fraud and in the worst scenario murder or rape. This violence against women are increasing day-by-day, particularly crimes of rape. Girls particularly are victims of rape and domestic violence with reported cases of rape by father, grandfather, uncles, and neighbor, there is no secure place for women and girls. It is sad fact that in the cases of violence against women, the victims themselves become the target for blame simply for the fact that she is a girl and therefore must be guilty.

The women cover more than half of the population of the world so without developing the situation of the women nation cannot get superior advancement. So, to overcome the problem of violence against women the government, NGOs and INGOs should formulate and implement the human rights related program at the community level. Violence against women related contents should be included in the school and college curriculum by the government. Government should increase job opportunities for women’s.

Different awareness activities should be organized against violence at the local level. Social norms and values should be redefined and punishment system should be developed so that no criminals could escape from the punishment.

In conclusion, parents should teach their sons how to respect girls and women so that they don’t commit such crime and for girls to come forward whenever they face tough times instead of hiding the fact of being abused.

(Yarju Shrestha: Undergraduate student of Kathmandu University.)