Rape: An ever-increasing malady in Nepal

When it comes to societal rules, sex education has always been a taboo in Nepal. 

But with all of the rape cases that have been coming out - data provided by Nepal Police show that the reporting of cases in 2019-2020 has increased to 2,144 while it was 1,480 in 2017-18 - what could be the right step to take? 

Has the number of rape cases increased now or are people more aware to talk about it?

Rather than that, let’s ask why is rape happening?

Is there a particular reason for it? 

Talking to, Anuradha Koirala, Founder of Maiti Nepal, she said, “If we talk about the present situation, in lockdown we had closed our office since April, but even then we got rape cases of girls who were only at the ages 13 to 15. So, who were the rapists? Their own family members, their father, or uncles.”

“So what really is the problem? Is it education? I think sex education is really important, to have the access in every part of the nation, and to be able to talk about it freely. I had a case where a child of 14 was pregnant, and when she called her mom, she asked when we were going to take out babu. So when I asked her mother what are you talking about, she said I told her not to stay close to babu. Now the question is, whom can you trust? In Nirmala Pant’s case, what happened? Where is the justice?”

Singer-songwriter and musician, Abhaya Subba Weise also went on to note the fact that there is so much to talk about, when it comes to rape and the rape culture in our nation. 

Abhaya said, “I have been working on the field for over two decades now. And when it comes to rape cases, people only talk about what’s on the outside, they say hang the rapist. But rape doesn’t occur only because of the rapist. A rape culture is something that devalues a woman, lets a man think that he is superior. I have known people who still believe that a man is always right.”

“Victim blaming is also an issue when it comes to rape cases in our nation. Whenever something wrong happens to a woman, it is said that it is her fault, she wore a short dress, or she went out with a man. Since Valentine’s Day is coming there are so many cases where a guy takes a girl out, takes her to a hotel and rapes her along with his friend. But her family will not be willing to talk about it saying ‘Ijjat Jancha’.”

Former Miss Nepal, Malvika Subba says, “When it comes to rape, I think it starts from the root. Let’s talk about the moment a girl is born, she is taught to be quiet and not talk too much. And when she starts bleeding, the gender role comes in. Even in the industry we work in, there is still no gender-equality.”

“So the right path to take when it comes to rape and rape culture is to find equality. Since conversations about sex are still a taboo, bedroom conversations, even when you are married is still a no. We need to give the right education about good touch and bad touch. And the main problem about girls not talking about harassment is ‘victim blaming’. As a society we must know that it’s not the victim’s fault. When they come out with their stories, they should be listened to, not hushed. And all the training seminars that are focused on women, I think the table should turn and men should get the information about harassment and what sexual assault really is.”