Violence Against Women in Nepal

Women Still Face Domestic Abuse and Second Class Citizen Status

Aug 25, 2008

While the Constituent Assembly works on a new Constitution, human rights activists are optimistic about positive changes for people's participation under a new system.

With the Constituent Assembly now in place, it is hoped the new Constitution will take into account the current problems facing ethnic and minority groups and women under a patriarchal system in Nepal.

Domestic violence is a continuing problem in Nepal. According to Sanjaya Dhakal from the Global Sisterhood Network, discrimination and violence against women is deeply entrenched in Nepalese society, despite increased political awareness.

In the absence of laws against domestic violence, the perpetrators often face little or no punishment, justified by patriarchy that defines men as having the right to control women.

Under current laws in Nepal, sexual intercourse with a wife never constitutes the crime of rape and mental torture is not defined as domestic violence. Domestic violence is estimated to occur in the majority of households in Nepal, though it is rarely reported to the police or the court.

Human rights activists are optimistic about the changes the new Democratic Republic of Nepal could bring for women and ethnic and minority groups.

Bhumika Ghimire, a freelance reporter and writer on Nepali issues, said she has faith in the new Democratic Republic of Nepal due to the sizeable level of women’s participation in the political system.

“I think Nepal becoming a Republic will have a positive impact for women's rights in the country,” said Ms Ghimire.

“The Constituent Assembly has a sizeable number of women representatives from across the country. The female representatives come from all walks of life, mothers, career women, grandmothers, those belonging to the so called ‘low caste’, rich and poor, educated and barely literate," said Ms Ghimire.

“I believe that this diversity and representation will help formulate a more inclusive, open and progressive constitution and lay ground work for better laws regarding women and their rights,” said Ms Ghimire.

Positive about the percentage of women now in politics, Ms Ghimire feels that women will be heard.

Women and ethnic and minority groups in Nepal have historically been second-class citizens and the inadequate representation of women and ethnic and minority groups in politics in Nepal is only now beginning to change.

The new Constituent Assembly can pave the way for equal rights in Nepal; however, it won’t be an easy road with the country’s ingrained patriarchal structures and its treatment of the poor, ethnic and minority groups.

Issues of reproductive rights, health care, domestic violence and education must be addressed and the participation of women and ethnic and minority groups encouraged.

References:

Dhakal, Sanjaya. (2008). “Nepalese women under the shadow of domestic violence”, on the Global Sisterhood Network website.

From an interview with Bhumika Ghimire, a freelance reporter and writer on Nepali issues in West Lafayette, Indiana, who has written for Nepalnews.com, American Chronicle, Journal and Courier, ACM Ubiquity, Suite101, OhMyNews.com and NewFront Weekly.

The copyright of the article Violence Against Women in Nepal in Political Activism is owned by Jodie Martin. Permission to republish Violence Against Women in Nepal in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.