Kathmandu, November 25:

A 16-day campaign to create awareness to eliminate physical and mental violence against women kicked off here today.

A report made public by the Women Rehabilitation Centre, on the occasion of the 9th International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, revealed that 73 per cent instances of violence against women occur at home. Up to 66 per cent women affected by domestic violence are married. Financial cause is one of the major reasons for violence against women, followed by political and cultural causes.

Most cases are never reported. The report adds that women are compelled to remain silent due to the lack of proper laws and mechanism that would help them protest.

Speaking at a programme organised to mark the day, Kedar Nath Upadhaya, chairperson of National Human Rights Commission said, “We need to initiate programmes to eliminate all kinds of violence against women.”

In another programme, Jagaran Nepal lit candles outside the Constituent Assembly hall, New Baneshwor, to mark the day.