From December 16, 2024

Summary:

• Nearly 50% of women in Nepal experience domestic violence, with many showing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Emotional abuse, a form of gender-based violence (GBV), is often ignored because it leaves no physical scars, making survivors like Panthi (a pseudonym) feel trapped and unheard.
• Emotional abuse includes controlling behaviors, verbal assaults, manipulation, humiliation, and isolation, which cause deep psychological harm.
• The United Nations defines GBV to include physical, sexual, and psychological harm, but society and authorities primarily recognize only physical violence.
• Survivors of emotional abuse often hesitate to report due to lack of evidence, social stigma, fear of financial insecurity, and dismissive attitudes from family and authorities.
• Psychological abuse is often a precursor to physical violence and leads to mental health issues like depression, PTSD, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies.
• Research in Nepal shows a strong link between domestic violence and mental health problems; nearly half of women experiencing domestic violence show signs of anxiety or depression.
• Cultural norms pressure women to endure abuse silently; 58% of abused women in Nepal do not seek help.
• Nepal’s current laws (Domestic Violence Act-2009) include emotional abuse but lack an integrated framework for identifying and reporting such cases.
• Experts stress the need for trained counselors, psychologists, police, and social workers to support survivors properly.
• Patriarchal norms also affect men, discouraging emotional expression and contributing to aggression and violence.
• Integrated services for survivors—legal, healthcare, housing—are fragmented in Nepal, making it hard for victims to get help.
• Educating men on emotional intelligence and better resource integration could reduce GBV.

The article highlights the urgent need for broader recognition of emotional abuse within GBV frameworks in Nepal to provide better protection and support for survivors.

Archive: https://archive.md/1lnbS