Domestic violence rising in Valley

KATHMANDU, June 22: Although the government has called 2010 as the year against violence on women, statistics at the Metropolitan Police Station, Kalimati shows a different case.

In the first six months of 2010, 326 cases of domestic violence were reported to police, which is high for a six-month period in the past four years. [break]

Statistics show that cases of domestic violence are on the rise over the years.

Police statistics show that compared to 498 cases of domestic violence reported in the year 2064/65, there was an increase of reported cases by 111 in the year 2065/66 in the Kathmandu Valley.

“Most of the time women are the victims,” says Harsha Maya Maharjan, inspector at Kathmandu Metropolitan Police.

But this may not reflect the actual rise in cases of domestic violence. Instead, it may just reflect a growing trend among women to report domestic violence to police and other help organizations, said Rupa Shrestha of Women and Rehabilitation Center-Nepal (Worec-Nepal).

The reluctance of men to entrust women with rights and respect along with patriarchal ideology are reasons for domestic violence.

2063/2064	2064/2065	2065/2066
505	498	609

(Fig: Domestic violence trend; Kathmandu Metropolitan Police)

Most of the victims who come to report are from lower strata in society. Those from upper and educated class are a rarity, going by the reported cases.

Of the reported cases, only few come from middle class or upper middle class families. This has been ascribed to the belief that seeking police help leaves a dent on prestige. “They think they will be disgraced in society if they come to the police. They do not know they will get legal aid and counseling,” Maharjan adds.

But changing social roles and a push by women for greater independence might be contributing to an increase in domestic violence, according to Maharjan.

“There is an increasing risk of violence amongst educated groups as both men and women fight for their rights. More than that, the cases of violence goes unnoticed and is even silenced,” Maharjan further adds.

“Lack of implementation of numerous signed commitments from government, and various governmental and non-governmental organizations has attempted to suppress women´s voice. Gender equality and balance is still a far cry,” Laxmi Shrestha, program coordinator at Worec-Nepal, says.