The right to freedom of thought and expression is guaranteed by Article 17(2)(a) of the Constitution of Nepal (2072). But, are we free to express our thoughts and expressions without fear? Can we ensure that just because we have a thought, there is an ideological analysis on it, and not a reaction that promotes ‘sexual violence’? Should we be prepared to say, ‘If you don’t like the idea, rape me, sexually harass me’ before expressing our thoughts, opinions and feelings?

Otherwise, why should a woman be a victim of sexual violence just because she supports or opposes someone? Why should she knock on the doors of the police administration and the courts seeking protection for her own life just because she has expressed her opinion? Is the price of believing in democracy and the constitution so terrible and frightening?

If not, why is it that someone (a woman) is insulted, character-killed and made difficult to live because of her thoughts and political views, because she has a personal decision and freedom to choose?

We have been facing trivial comments and behavior, expressions that reflect sexual desire during the podcast 'Gulabi Samvad' on sexual and reproductive health rights, workshops, discussions and debates on such issues. However, we have been turning such reactions into courage and bravery to raise our voices against sensitive issues like sexual abuse, violence, and rape. Because, we are never allowed to remain silent. The price of remaining silent is even more terrible. But again, raising our voices is no less terrible.

Some time ago, after the police arrested former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, his supporters organized a protest program. Expressing solidarity with the protest, a teenager also raised her voice on the street demanding Oli's release. The law that allows her to raise her voice in this way is guaranteed in Article 17 of the Constitution of Nepal (2072) as the 'fundamental right of citizens to freedom of political speech, expression and thought'. This includes the right to criticize the government, peaceful protest and political discussion. This is the beautiful side of democracy, where citizens can feel that they belong and that the state listens to their thoughts.

However, in the case of that teenager, this article of the constitution itself did not provide justice. She had to 'sacrifice' her mental health because she supported a political party and leader. Rather than expressing her views with political consent, the rapist mentality dominated society and social media. And, once again, 'rape culture' was encouraged:

– ‘You should not be put in the same situation as Nirmala Pant.’

– ‘She should be raped by ten people.’

– ‘This sister should be taken to a mental hospital.’

– ‘Poor thing, this girl should be in Nirmala’s place.’

Is the price of exercising constitutional rights so heavy? Such reactions have made our sexual and gender consciousness so exposed that no one who has been subjected to violence and oppression can even ‘speak’ against such incidents despite a thousand attempts. If one dares to speak up, it starts measuring the size of the clothes of the person subjected to violence, evaluates the character and does not hesitate to rate the genitals and uterus.

In a situation where social media is being widely used, the 'flood' of such reactions on social media means that it weakens the foundation of freedom of expression. According to a data report from Data Report, there are 16.6 million internet users in Nepal as of October 2025. Similarly, there are 14.8 million 'active' social media users in Nepal daily. That is, 50 percent of the total population of Nepal uses social media. Online platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become a friend for many to express their thoughts confidently. Most people consider social media suitable for expressing their personal, social, and political views. Social media plays a major role in 'making them able to speak out' against the discrimination and injustice they are facing.

However, this very medium for freely expressing their thoughts is becoming a risk for those individuals and communities. On the one hand, a wave of misleading and exaggerated information and 'content', on the other hand, low ideas that encourage violence and hatred are flowing through social media. This is making digital media itself a cause of mental problems for individuals and society. Due to various debates, reactions, comments and trolls through this medium, people have had to face many problems, due to which their self-confidence has started to decrease. It has started to have a direct and indirect profound impact on mental health.

On the one hand, a wave of misleading and exaggerated information and 'content', on the other hand, low ideas that encourage violence and hatred are flowing through social media. This is making digital media itself a cause of mental problems for individuals and society. Social media has become not only a means of expressing ideas, receiving/giving entertainment, but also a powerful means of expressing social and personal opinions. Where will such violent activities push our society at this time? Negative emotions and excitement are spreading faster than positive ones on social media. As a result, especially teenage girls and women have to endure threats of rape. They have to think thousands of times before leaving the house or expressing their opinions.

Is it permissible to express ‘rape’ based on supporting or opposing someone? Is this the freedom of expression sought by the young generation of Nepali society? It should not be. Hateful language, expressions supporting sexual violence, and targeted attacks on individuals (especially teenage girls and women) are becoming commonplace just because they have different opinions and in the name of ‘I express my opinions on my personal social media’. Inhumane comments such as questioning the character of women when they express their opinions, making obscene jokes about their bodies, and making trivial comments such as ‘rape’ are increasing in society.

This shows that there is still a lack of clarity and sense of responsibility in society and the educated human race about the limits of freedom of expression. Digital platforms are becoming violent and unsafe due to the inability to understand the difference between freedom of expression and its misuse. Instead of expressing one's disagreement in general, and rationally stating the reasons for disagreement, the practice of using personal attacks, threats of murder and rape, and character assassination, such as using irrelevant and insensitive words, is increasing day by day.

This is also a serious sign that our mentality is pushing us deeper into criminality. Some reactions are such that they directly reflect violence and inhumanity. If we look at some of the reactions on social media, the above line is also confirmed. Hateful expressions and the words used in them are not only anger or disagreement, but also a reflection of the dangerous mindset of making sexual violence acceptable and normalizing it.

When we hear and use such violent words repeatedly, the expression starts to seem normal . People stop taking such words and actions seriously, which makes violent, criminal thinking stronger . As a result: the victim starts to suffer more . By asking questions like ‘Why did you have to post?’, ‘Why did you have to go to such and such a place?’, ‘Why did you have to speak out?’, the person who suffers (especially women and girls) starts to be blamed rather than the perpetrator. This starts to establish a narrative that other women and girls should remain silent and ‘You should not speak out against injustice, if you speak out, you are wrong’ . As a result: the feelings, thoughts and agreement/disagreement expressed online start to be transformed into their ‘offline’ behavior through violent thinking and language . When sexual violence is normalized through words, it begins to create a mindset for violence in real life. Therefore, digital violence is not just an online problem, but a serious sign that it is becoming the basis for real violence in our society.

By asking questions like ‘Why did you have to post?’, ‘Why did you have to go to such and such a place?’, ‘Why did you have to speak?’, the person who suffers (especially women and girls) is accused rather than the perpetrator of the crime. What is the situation of the person who is subjected to violence due to such thoughts and violent expressions in the name of disagreement? Even if threats of heinous crimes such as sexual abuse and rape based on expressing an opinion appear normal on social media or are normalized, their impact develops into deep mental health problems in girls and women.

Women and girls who face such violence feel insecure, scared, worried, and worried about whether someone is watching them? Will someone attack me again through social media? This leads to a decrease in their self-confidence, as well as an increase in the tendency to blame themselves, feel depressed, feel lonely, and conclude that ‘I am the bad one’. In some cases, they even face anxiety and depression. After such repeated abuse, women and girls become hesitant to express their feelings and thoughts on social media. This affects not only their personal lives but also their social lives. And, its negative impact can be both short-term and long-term.