Kathmandu: “Despite gradual legal reforms in Nepal aimed at addressing sexual violence, survivors particularly women and girls from Dalit, Indigenous, Madhesi, Muslim, and disabled communities continue to face deep-rooted stigma, impunity, and systemic barriers while seeking justice that remains largely elusive for them.”
This was somehow the shared sentiment of over 30 representatives from marginalised communities, civil society organisations, legal experts, media, and policymakers during a national consultation concluded on Thursday in Lalitpur.
“There is still a prevailing culture of silence when it comes to cases of sexual violence,” said senior advocate Meera Dhungana at the event. “Victim-blaming, economic insecurity, lack of a robust state support system, and poor implementation of laws often silence survivors or force them to withdraw complaints. Those reporting abuse often face the dire consequence of being displaced from their homes, and left in the lurch to struggle for basic needs like food and shelter.”
Dhungana, who made legal history over two decades ago by filing a writ that led to the criminalization of marital rape in Nepal in 2002, emphasized that these barriers remain consistent across different identities whether survivors are Indigenous, Dalit, or from other marginalized groups.
The consultation acknowledged recent steps in legal reforms, such as extending the statute of limitations for rape cases, as signs of progress.
However, participants were univocal in their concerns over lax implementation and inadequate survivor-centric practices. “We face barriers at every level,” shared a representative from the disability rights community. “From inaccessible court building structures without ramps to the absence of sign language interpreters, our voices are often left unheard.”
The participants called for a holistic, survivor-centric approach that goes beyond prosecution. Key areas of concerns include access to long-term mental health care, community reintegration, economic support, and legal empowerment. Many agreed that current policies and practices overlook these vital aspects of security and justice.
Furthermore, speakers emphasized the importance of generating disaggregated data to better understand the specific needs of marginalised communities and design evidence-based inclusive policies. They called for greater collaborations among organisations working on disability rights, women’s rights, and the rights of ethnic and caste-based minorities. Such collaboration, they argued, is essential to build a comprehensive and inclusive support systems.
“This moment demands more than reflection. It requires transformation,” said Upasana Rana, Executive Director of Women for Human Rights (WHR). She asserted that survivors must be at the center of justice reforms not just as beneficiaries, but as decision-makers.
Julie Thekkudan from Equality Now echoed the urgency: “Until Nepal addresses the overlapping inequalities of caste, ethnicity, gender, and disability, justice will remain out of reach for many. Progress should be measured by the lived experiences of survivors but not merely on the basis of legal texts.”
Highlighting the vital role of the media in advocating for unhindered justice mechanisms for survivors of sexual violence, Nirmala Sharma, Chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), strongly urged state institutions and civil society organizations pitching for women’s rights to act decisively to ensure justice for survivors. “Actions must be prioritized to deliver results,” she stressed.
The Nepal Police data underscores the urgency of the issue with 2,507 cases of sexual violence being reported in Nepal between 2023 and 2024 – up from 2,380 cases in the previous reporting year.
Dalit women and girls continue to face the brunt of such violence, with rape and kidnapping being among the most frequently reported crimes.
Indigenous women, who represent a population often left behind by the justice systems, face added challenges navigating legal processes. These issues come with further compounding impacts on women and girls with disabilities, who often lack the accommodations necessary to report crimes or testify safely, it is said.
As one participant stressed, “We cannot build a just society by leaving behind the ones who are disproportionately impacted.”
The consultation was co-hosted by Equality Now and the South Asian Movement for Accessing Justice (SAMAJ), in partnership with WHR, FEDO Nepal, and Forum for Women, Law and Development.
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