‘Rampant violence claimed 22 women in 3 months’

Post Report,
KATHMANDU, AUG 04 -

Despite several government and non-government organisations’ claim that have reached the ground level to stop all forms of violence against women, 22 women lost their lives in different cases of violence across the country in the last three months this year.

Of the total—10, five and seven women were killed in Baisakh, Jestha and Asadh, respectively, a report by Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC), a non-government organisation working for women’s rights and social justice said. Data has shown no improvement as only last year eight and nine women were killed in Baisakh and Jestha, respectively.

Most death cases are related to inadequate dowry, witchcraft accusations, rape and domestic and sexual violence, said Durga Karki, media coordinator of WOREC. Most of the cases were recorded in Terai districts where the incidence is comparatively higher than in other parts of the country. For instance, in Rautahat district a total of 12 women were done to death in the last 15 months.

Though there are adequate laws for women’s rights, lack of access to justice and fear of being re-victimised by the family members and society keeps victims away from security agencies, say police.

“The scenario portrays women are most vulnerable to violence by their own family members and neighbourhood,” said Inspector Deepti Karki of the Metropolitan Police Crime Division.

Advocate Meera Dhungana said that for lack of effective law enforcement by local bodies responsible to give justice to the victims, the number of incidents of violence against girls and women is increasing in the country. “The local administration and police fail to register the case filed by victims in districts,” she said.