128 incidents of violence against women and girls reported during one month of lockdown

30 Apr 2020

27 April, Kathmandu, WOREC has recorded 128 cases of violence against women and girls during one month of the lockdown period (24 March -23 April 2020) from 15 districts of Nepal.

Among these, there are 72 cases of domestic violence, 14 cases of social violence, 18 cases of rape, 2 cases of attempted rape, 1 case of murder, 2 cases of murder or under investigation, 5 cases of sexual abuse, 10 cases of suicide, 2 cases of attempted suicide and 2 cases of attempted murder. 

Husbands followed by neighbors are the mostly reported perpetrators of violence. Among 128 reported perpetrators, 54 are husbands, 29 are family members, 27 are neighbors, 6 are boyfriends, 1 is friend, 1 is landlord and in 10 cases, perpetrators are yet to be identified. Among the cases of rape, 13 cases have been committed by neighbors, 1 case by father, 2 cases by family member, 1 case by boyfriend and perpetrator of 2 cases are yet to be identified.

Out of the incident recorded at the organization, 51 were reported to the police, 15 to the justice committee, 15 to their parent’s or relatives and the rest had not reported any complaints.

Due to the global epidemic spread throughout the world by CO-VID 19 Nepal is under lockdown from 24th March. Government is working at all levels to protect the citizens from the risk of this epidemic. Along with the addressing the impact of coronavirus, it is necessary to take further steps with seriousness and thoughtfulness by the government to address the violence against women and girls during the lockdown.

It is the responsibility of the state to protect its citizen from all kind of risks, violence, and injustice and help the survivors. Facts and studies show that most of the violence against women is perpetrated by own family members and people in the community. It is necessary to spread the message in the community that the government is ready to fulfill its commitment against violence and discrimination faced by survivors acknowledging the fact that the women and girls are at high risk of violence in this situation.

We appreciate the efforts of Gauriganga Municipality in Far-western province for establishing a special safe house for women affected by violence during lockdown. Also, we request the other municipalities to set up the mechanisms for the survivors and to create an environment for the effective implementation of the existing mechanisms.

Current situation shows that the pregnant women visiting hospitals for delivery are not attended and are not given quality services by the hospitals. There is lack of a quality delivery system for pregnant women. There is suggestion from community level to improve safe vaccination, regular checkup and nutrition for women including pregnant women. Therefore by drawing the attention of the government in this regard, we appeal to the government to prevent violence against women and girls and to ensure the justice for survivors.

1. Continuing Nepal’s zero tolerance policy even at the time of pandemic, women cell of police and Judicial committees should provide necessary support to women and girls who wish to report the cases of violence.
2. The mechanism established for gender based violence affected population should continue providing need based safe shelter, counseling, health and legal support following the safety measures.
3. Immediately address the cases of violence against women and girls, establish a provision of short-term safe shelters.
4. All the hospitals should resume services for maternal and pregnant women. Provide necessary safety materials to regulate the service of birthing center, primary health post and hospitals. 
5. There should be special provision for pregnant women, women with small children and senior citizens in quarantines and their needs for nutritional diets and other needs should be considered while distributing relief.
6. At every level, there should be resuming of hotline with provision of immediate complaint and response, necessary support and referral for all women in violence or any difficulty.

Thanking you!

Lubharaj Neupane

Executive Director

Released on 27 April, 2020