Saathi

Project: Strengthening Implementation of Domestic Violence Act

Location: Nepal & its 8 districts

Duration: 2011-2014

Partner: SAATHI

The Situation

Violence against women in Nepal remains widespread. Male dominance and female subservience is entrenched in the society which ensures that women are completely dependent on men. Therefore, women who suffer domestic violence are forced to reconcile with their abusers by their family, village elders, police, administration and even lawyers.

In April 2009, the Nepalese government passed the Domestic Violence (Crime and Punishment) Act but there were major gaps in the implementation of the law because law enforcement agencies, service providers and community members are unaware of the provisions. Moreover, certain clauses in the law itself are problematic, for example, a mandatory 28-day cooling-off period, where the abused women who makes a report of domestic violence must go home for 28 days and then report back to police whether she still wants to make the complaint.

What Womankind is doing

We have partnered with Saathi (“friendship”), an organisation that  formed a network with 36 organizations called the National Network against Domestic Violence. This was originally formed to push the government to pass the Domestic Violence Act but currently it works to:

• Lobby with the Constituent Assembly Members to raise awareness issues raised during implementation

• Sensitize government officials on the law itself, flaws and challenges raised during implementing domestic violence law

• Increase awareness of the Domestic Violence (Crime and Punishment) law at the district level with community members and service providers

• Raise Awareness at the community level

What we have achieved so far

The project commenced in June 2011, please check back in a few months for an update.