Kathmandu, September 27

A Violence Against Women report prepared by Women’s Rehabilitation Centre states that women are not safe anywhere, neither at home nor workplace.

A report of VAW for the month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September) states that women are not secure even with the people they spend most of their time with and thus it has become a challenge for them to live a dignified life and enjoy their human rights.

During the month of Bhadra, WOREC has documented a total of 208 VAW cases from across the country. Of them, 38 cases have been documented from various newspapers.

On the basis of geographical division, the hill region reported the highest 55 per cent of VAW cases, followed by the Tarai region with 44 per cent and the Himalayan region with 1 per cent cases.

The report reveals that 102 women and girls suffered from domestic violence, 27 psychologically and emotionally abused,13 sexually abused, 26 raped and 23 suffered from other types of violence, while five faced rape attempts, five murder attempts, three social violence, two gang rape and two were murdered.

The relationship status between the survivors and alleged perpetrators indicated that husbands were involved in the highest number of VAW cases. It was found that husbands were the alleged perpetrators in 49 per cent of cases of domestic violence.

Similarly, neighbours and family members were found equally responsible.

The data shows that women and girls are subjected to various forms of violence in our society. This threatens their physical, emotional, psychological and sexual well-being. “Unless this comes to the attention of concerned authorities and appropriate actions and policies are made, women and girls cannot enjoy their rights and live freely in society,” said the report.