Stories - Domestic Violence

The Constitution of Nepal is based on the principles of equality. In practice however this is not the case and a recent study undertaken by NGO's with the co-operation of the Ministry of Women "found that 118 clauses/sections/rules in their entirety have discriminatory legal provisions." 
Source: Discriminatory Laws in Nepal and their Impact on Women (Aug. 2000)

We do not have a law for domestic violence. The beating of women by husbands is very common. Our one research report in the western part of Nepal shows that 73% of all women were victims of domestic violence. Here is one story . . . . .

Nirmila Sitoula -Nirmila is marriage with 2 children. Her parents arranged her marriage when she was 15 years old.  (She shared while crying) - My husband is very valiant. He yell me, beat me with out reason. He do not help me in household work, He force me to work even I am very tired. (She explain one accident while crying and showing her scars) I was bringing water from well. He was sitting in the Khat (wooden bed) he was smoking cigarette but the fire on the cigarette went out. In a big pot I boiled water with husk for cows in front of our house, water was boiling.  He asked me to bring fire as quickly as he could snap or he would hurt me and then he snapped but it was not possible to reach there in that time. He came and poured on me that boiling water.  I cried very loudly and fainted. When I was a wake, I was in hospital. I know my neighbor bring me to hospital and call the WF members. The WF helps me in hospital and paid my hospital bills. They bring my husband at police custody for one month. Now I learn form WF how to produce good vegetables and sell in the market. So I am running my family independent. Our house is happy and safe house for us now a days.  My husband is not any longer with me