The international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign is currently underway around the world. Government and non-governmental organizations are currently busy with programs against violence against women, from streets to hotels.

On the occasion of violence against women, many such programs are also held in the Far West, especially in the provincial capital Dhangadhi. Dhangadhi Women Rehabilitation Center Kailali released the analytical study book 'Anveshi' on violence against women on Friday. Representatives from security agencies, government, non-governmental organizations and local governments were present.

The program also had a serious discussion on the challenges of increasing violence against women, weak implementation and judicial access. Such discussions held every year highlight the reality faced by women in society. It creates pressure on the concerned bodies to stop violence. But despite all these efforts, violence against women has not been stopped.

This reality is evident when you look at the incidents and case registrations collected by OREC in all seven provinces in the last one year. According to OREC data, 1,279 incidents of violence against women have been registered across the country in the fiscal year 081/82 alone. Among them, the highest number of incidents have been registered in Karnali (419), Koshi (341), Madhesh (260), Lumbini (91), Bagmati (88), Sudurpaschim (76) and Gandaki (2).

Of these incidents, 72 percent are domestic violence incidents. This is followed by sexual violence (17) and social violence (6.5). The perpetrators involved in the incidents are 81.8 percent men and 18.2 percent women.

According to this data, one of the main causes of violence against women is child marriage. 85.2 percent of the victims/affected were married before the age of 20, which indicates that child marriage or early marriage increases the risk of violence.

Kailali member of the District Coordination Committee Bimal Prasad Joshi says that violence is increasing due to the lack of a women and children branch structure at the district level. He stressed that the government should work seriously, saying that only NGOs running campaigns will not have an impact.

The highest number of rape cases is registered in Koshi with 36.2 percent, followed by Bagmati with 25.5 percent, and Karnali with 14.8 percent. 91 percent of the perpetrators are known and familiar people, which shows that women are more at risk from known people than from strangers.

Savitri Bik, project coordinator of OreK, says that women also face violence during disasters, outbreaks, or crises. She says that women have to bear a double burden in any situation. ‘On the one hand, they have to face disasters, and on the other hand, they have to endure violence within the family,’ she said.

Women's participation in decision-making processes is still low and they are facing more violence due to economic dependence. Although the laws made for women in Nepal are stronger than in many other countries, women's rights activists say that implementation is very weak. They demand that a unified national statistics system be formed, saying that the government has not collected official data on violence against women. 

According to the study book 'Anveshi' by ORAC, 85.2 percent of Nepalese people are currently married under the age of 20. Similarly, 72 percent of women are facing domestic violence.  40.9 percent of women are at risk of rape before the age of 18.  16.1 percent are subjected to violence by neighbors on accusations of witchcraft, and 98 percent of rape victims have faced social repercussions.  This data is for the 28 districts where ORAC works directly.  Speaking at the program, Assistant Chief District Officer of Kailali Kiran Joshi said that the patriarchal mindset embedded in the social structure is the main reason for the increase in violence against women. According to her, the thinking of some women who commit violence against women is also influenced by patriarchy.