Women still reluctant to register complaints against domestic violence

Kathmandu, December 14

Despite awareness campaigns run by governmental and non-governmental agencies, women are still reluctant to file complaints of violence.

During an interaction organised here today by Samjhauta Nepal, advocate Bishnu Maya Bhusal said many women did not file case due to lack of knowledge about law.

“We have Domestic Violence Act, but most women are unaware of the law. Most of the victims of domestic violence, who are especially women, are restricted to the four walls of their houses, and thus they do not get access to law, said Bhusal.

One of a female participants at the programme shared that it had been more than five years since she was trying to register a complaint of domestic violence, but police refused to register the complaint and instead asked her to go to court.

Similarly, a woman, who has a five-year-old daughter, complained that her husband beat her up every day. However, she could not file a case against her husband at  the court due to lack of money.

“I work as a domestic help and I earn hardly enough for my daughter’s education and to manage other expenses. In this situation, it’s almost impossible for me to manage money to file a case against my husband,” she informed.