IMADR | The International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism

Violence against Dalit women in Nepal (HRC41, 2019, OS)

July 1, 2019

IMADR delivered the oral statement on “Violence against Dalit women in Nepal” at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. 

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Oral Statement: 41st session of the Human Rights Council

Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences

27 June 2019

Speaker: Renu Sijapati Tamata

Ms. Simonović,

In solidarity with FEDO Nepal and ISDN, we would like to thank you for your visit to Nepal, during which we had the opportunity to engage on the challenges Dalit women face in the enjoyment of our rights. We agree, as you pointed out in Para.  61 of your visit report, that our vulnerable economic status, combined with the patriarchal values, exposes us to various forms of violence.

According to a study conducted by FEDO, out of the total incidents of rape in Nepal, 21% of the victims come from the Dalit community. In 80% of such cases involving Dalit women, the victims has have been killed.

Discrimination against us is also manifested by social stigma, the normalization of violence attached to reporting violations, stereotyped attitudes and behaviors, patriarchal social norms such as son preference, lower education levels and a high proportion of poverty among Dalit women, and a poor presence of the State machinery to protect our rights. Such intersections, all combined, are causes and consequences of discrimination against us.

Owing to this scenario, Dalit women find it difficult to seek redress, as the Police often refuse to process our complaints. Violent cases are solved through informal civil arrangements rather than through legal means.

Despite that, we are resilient. We come to this Council to engage with the international community in a frank and a forward-looking dialogue.

In an open spirit, we strongly encourage Nepal to implement the recommendations contained in your report in good faith, in close consultation with Dalit women organizations.

I thank you.

*Feminist Dalit Orgainization (FEDO) Nepal and International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN), NGOs without consultative status, also shared the views expressed in this statement.

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