Domestic violence doesn’t always leave bruises. It doesn’t always shout or make noise. Sometimes, it hides quietly—in the controlled conversations, the creeping isolation, the fear that lingers behind closed doors. And far too often, it hides in silence.
Domestic violence is not just a private matter—it is a pervasive, deep-rooted societal issue that quietly devastates the lives of countless individuals across Nepal every single day. From the quiet corners of remote villages to the bustling streets of our cities, domestic violence cuts across caste, class, age, and gender. It goes beyond visible wounds—inflicting emotional, psychological, economic, and spiritual scars that often remain unseen, unheard, and unhealed.
Domestic violence is a violation of human rights. It strips people of their dignity, safety, and freedom. And the first, most powerful step toward justice is simple: breaking the silence.
The Hidden Crisis in Nepal
In Nepal, domestic violence is often shrouded in silence, protected by harmful social norms, economic dependency, and the fear of shame. According to the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), more than one in four womenin Nepal have experienced physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner. Yet, the true numbers remain concealed behind walls of fear, stigma, and cultural expectations.
In many communities, especially rural ones, women are taught from a young age to "adjust" and "endure" for the sake of family honor. Speaking up is often equated with disgrace. Victims are blamed, disbelieved, or pressured into reconciliation—even with their abusers. This toxic culture of silence enables violence to continue unchecked, generation after generation.
Why Breaking the Silence Matters
Breaking the silence is like opening a window in a room long suffocated by fear. It allows light and truth to enter. It breathes life into what has been suppressed. When a survivor speaks, they reclaim their story. And when society listens, real transformation begins.
Silence is the abuser’s strongest weapon. It isolates the victim, and it protects the perpetrator. Breaking that silence is an act of resistance—a declaration that abuse is never acceptable, and survivors deserve support and justice.
- Speaking up connects survivors to services and legal recourse.
- Awareness empowers others in similar situations to seek help.
- Open conversations challenge harmful norms that dismiss abuse as a “family matter.”
Standing Together: What We Must Do
Ending domestic violence in Nepal requires more than just laws and policies—it demands a unified, courageous movement. The government, civil society, and citizens must come together to build a nation where safety and dignity are non-negotiable.
Here’s how we can act:
- Support Survivors: Listen without judgment. Offer help without conditions. Validate their courage and choices.
- Educate Communities: Begin with youth. Teach healthy relationships in schools. Promote gender equality in homes and workplaces.
- Strengthen the System: Enforce existing laws like the Domestic Violence (Crime and Punishment) Act, 2066 (2009). Expand access to legal aid, safe shelters, and counseling.
- Hold Abusers Accountable: No excuses. Every case must be investigated and punished appropriately.
- Challenge Harmful Norms: Speak up against victim-blaming, forced forgiveness, and societal silencing of survivors.
Building a Safer Nepal: A Collective Responsibility
Our duty to survivors extends beyond mere recognition—it demands action, empathy, and reform. We must cultivate a society where violence is not hidden but condemned, where survivors are believed, and where justice is swift and certain.
We need widespread public awareness campaigns that expose the true face of domestic violence, dispel myths, and educate people about consent, respect, and power dynamics. Survivors must be given platforms to share their stories without fear.
We must invest in:
- Safe homes and emergency shelters
- Free psychological and legal services
- Economic empowerment programs for survivors
- Specialized care for children affected by domestic violence
- Training for police, judges, and healthcare providers to respond with compassion and efficiency
And most importantly, we must listen. Survivors are not just statistics—they are human beings with voices, pain, resilience, and hope. Their stories must guide our policies and our purpose.
A Call to Action
Let us envision and build a Nepal where no one is forced to suffer in silence. A Nepal where a woman’s dignity is not sacrificed for family reputation, and where no child grows up believing that violence is love.
-Breaking the silence is not just an act of bravery—it is an act of justice.
-Standing against domestic violence is not just about saving lives—it’s about restoring humanity.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence in Nepal, please reach out:
- Women’s Helpline: 1145
- WOREC Nepal, SAATHI, and the National Women Commission offer confidential support, legal aid, and counseling.
Together, We Can Break the Cycle
This is not a fight that belongs only to victims. It is a fight for all of us—for families, for communities, for future generations. Let us speak louder than the silence. Let us stand taller than the fear. Let us build a Nepal where every individual, regardless of gender or background, can live free from abuse, free from fear, and full of dignity.
Together, we can break the silence.
Together, we can break the cycle.
प्रकाशित मिति: शनिबार, साउन ३, २०८२ ११:५४
