Kathmandu, November 25

As International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was marked globally today, cases of violence against women continues unabated in the country.

According to a report published by Informal Sector Service Centre, it recorded 2,202 cases of domestic violence, 222 cases of polygamy, 242 rape cases, 94 cases of attempted rape, 37 cases of sexual abuse, seven attempted trafficking in persons and 34 witchcraft accusations. INSEC said a total of 2,910 cases of violence against women were reported in 2016.

The country is marking 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence from November 25 to December 10 with the theme ‘Leave no one behind: end violence against women and girls’ to raise public awareness and to mobilise people to put an end to violence against women.

However, reports reveal that there hasn’t been any significant decline in incidents of violence against women.

As per Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, in the five years since 2011 there has only been a slight decline in the percentage of married women who faced physical or sexual violence.

According to Nepal Police, 897 cases of violence against women were reported between April 15 and August 15.  “The most common injuries women reported are cuts and bruises (32 per cent) followed by eye injuries, sprains, dislocations and burns (12 per cent).

Similarly,  nine percent of women who experienced spousal violence reported deep wounds, broken bones, broken teeth and other types of serious injuries,” stated NDHS.

Women’s experience of physical, sexual or emotional violence by spouse varies by ecological zone. Almost one-third of women in Tarai (32 per cent) report experiencing spousal physical, sexual or emotional violence, compared to less than 20 per cent women in the hills and mountains.

However, several cases of domestic violence go unreported. “Among women who have experienced physical or sexual violence only eight per cent of women went to the police, two per cent approached a social welfare organisation and one per cent went to lawyer to seek help between June 19, 2016 and January 31, 2017.