Violence against women is a heinous crime against humanity. It harms and ruined their life in terms of social and cultural aspect. Moreover, it impoverishes women, their families and society, nation as a whole. The violence against women leaves irreparable scar and trauma hindering their growth and development. It is not confined to one culture, religion or particular group of women in community. Women, irrespective of their caste, ethnicity, color, creed and nationality, fall prey to the perpetrators who are the members of their families in many cases. Despite numerous and heroic effort on the part of the state and non state actors, the violence against women continues with no sign of receding.
With the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord between the former rebels and government in 2006, the decade long armed struggle has come to an end. However, the violence against women has continued relentlessly. According to recent report of Informal Service Sector (INSEC), over 900 cases of violence against women were reported during 2012 in Nepal. The report also says that 140 women and 300 girls were raped during the same period. Similarly, United Nations, in its recently published report, says that one in every ten women is the victims of rape or rape attempt in Asia. The same report also indicates that growing urbanization with easy access to pornography related stuff is the other major contributor of violence against women in Asian countries. At a time, when the successive government has been claiming that violence against women has remarkably decreased in the country, the finding of the United Nations bellies the rosy picture of the government.
In Nepal, deep rooted patriarchal and semi feudal structure, superstitions, poverty and illiteracy among women are the major factors accelerating violence against women. At the same time, feeble law and order, strong nexus between offenders and political parties, rampant impunity among others are equally responsible for increasing cases of violence against them. What is most disheartening is that not all gender based violence is reported and culprits are brought into book. In many cases, the victims are reluctant to report the cases owing the social stigma attached to it. Some cases go unreported due to lengthy process of their registration and other legal impediments. Similarly, the victims are often threatened by the perpetrators of stern action if they report against them. It has also been found that the closed door negotiation between the victims and their families with culprit also restricts the gender based violence to come to the forefront.
While flipping the pages of one of the national dailies, there was bizarre report related with violence against women. A woman in Rupandehi district was tormented for her alleged illicit relationship with a local boy who was her neighbor. According to villagers, a group of people including some women entered the house of the accused and beat her black and blue. They even manhandled the family members and threatened to kill them if they continue to engage in such practice. Two hours after the arson, the local police intervened and disperse the mob. The victim was rushed to the local hospital for the medical attention by the local people. Three days after the incident the woman succumb to injury while undergoing treatment in the local hospital. What is most disheartening is that the culprits are still at large though police have launched a massive manhunt.. In another report, a woman in Sarlahi was burnt alive by in laws when she failed to bring the dowry as demanded by broom and his families. The deceased family has lodged a complaint at the local police station seeking justice. However, the culprits are absconding and their whereabouts are still unknown. In both incidents, faulty laws and political insensitivity to take stern action against the perpetrators have spurred the unprecedented gender based violence in the country.
March 21st is observed as international Women's day across the globe. Several programs are organized amidst big fanfare to mark the event. On the occasion, the so called women and human rights activist, the political leaders, law enforcers makes tall commitment to end the gender based violence with special emphasis sexual abuse. They pledge to work towards the promotion of gender equity and threaten to launch massive stir against the anti women laws and policies of the government. The moot question that arises at this situation is why they turned into a mute spectator on the remaining days of the year. Effective implementation of commitment with strong support from the other concern stakeholders will help to end the injustice against women covering half of the country's total population
Following the formal appointment of sitting chief justice as the chairperson of the election government, there has been some jubilation among the people that election will happen in Mid June, 2013. Let's hope that the election will re solidify the CA which will deliver the constitution and ends all injustice against women to build equitable and just society.
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