Incidents of violence and murder against women in Nepal are on the rise, revealing the persistent and systemic nature of gender-based violence (GBV) deeply rooted in patriarchal structures. According to a recent report published by the WOREC Nepal, a total of 308 cases of gender-based violence were recorded between April and June 2025 across the country.
Of these, 41 cases were documented through media monitoring, while 267 cases were directly collected from WOREC’s working areas through its primary sources. The data shows that 21 were cases of murder, and three of attempted murders.
Globally, the trend mirrors a grim picture. Reports by UN Women and UNODC show that in 2022, around 48,800 women and girls were killed by their partners or family members worldwide. The number rose to 51,100 in 2023, meaning an average of 140 women and girls were murdered every day by someone within their own family. Alarmingly, 60 percent of these killings were linked to domestic violence, deaths that occurred because the victims were women.
The WOREC report shows that most of the victims of murder were young women in their most productive years. Among the 21 murder cases recorded between April and June 2025, 29 percent (six women) were between 18 and 25 years old, while 24 percent (six women) were aged 26 to 35. Another 19 percent (four victims) were girls under 18.
These statistics underscore that women aged 18–35, who are often socially and economically active, are at the highest risk of violence. According to WOREC, this reflects a control-oriented mindset born of patriarchy, which seeks to restrict women’s autonomy over their bodies, decisions, and freedoms.
When women assert their rights or make independent choices, patriarchal structures often respond with resistance—sometimes culminating in brutal crimes like murder.
In most cases, the perpetrators are not strangers but husbands or family members. The report reveals that 43 percent (nine women) were murdered by their husbands, and 24 percent (five women) were killed by other family members. Additionally, 10 percent were murdered by neighbors, five percent by trusted friends, and 14 percent by former husbands.
This pattern aligns with global findings that intimate partner violence remains one of the deadliest forms of gender-based violence.
Among the victims, 82 percent (17 women) were married, while 10 percent (two women) were unmarried. The marital status of nine percent of victims remains unverified. These figures highlight how domestic and intimate settings, which should provide safety and support, often turn into spaces of danger and violence for women.
On June 20, in Kailashpur, Gauriganga Municipality-7 of Kailali, a 16-year-old girl, identified as Rita (name changed), was murdered by her 20-year-old brother-in-law. Rita, who had given birth just 16 days earlier, was living with her family while her husband worked in India due to financial hardship.
According to police and family accounts, Rita returned from a health post after vaccinating her newborn and found no food prepared for her. An argument followed, and her brother-in-law, angered by her complaint, strangled her to death in the middle of the night. He later dumped her body near a drain close to the house. The next morning, neighbors discovered the body. The accused has confessed to the murder, and legal proceedings are underway.
On July 7, in Belka Municipality, Udayapur, a 27-year-old man attacked his wife, Supriya (name changed), with a knife in a public area after a domestic dispute. The couple had gone to a nearby hotel for reconciliation talks, accompanied by relatives. During the discussion, the husband suddenly stabbed his wife in the chest and fled. Supriya survived and the police are pursuing the suspect.
Similarly, on 8 Oct 2024, in Belka Municipality-8, Manju (name changed), was burned to death by her 48-year-old husband, who poured petrol on her during a domestic quarrel. Despite efforts by neighbors to save her, she succumbed to her injuries. The accused was arrested and faces murder charges.
These are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a deeply entrenched patriarchal system that values control over compassion and silence over justice. The report stresses that domestic violence is often normalized within Nepali society—seen as a “private matter” that should be settled within the home. This culture of silence and reconciliation not only emboldens perpetrators but also weakens legal enforcement, leaving survivors unprotected.
Institutional tendencies to encourage reconciliation rather than legal action further exacerbate the problem. Many survivors are pressured into withdrawing complaints or “settling” cases, allowing offenders to repeat their crimes. This fosters impunity and reinforces structural inequalities that sustain gender-based violence.
According to the Nepal Police’s 2024–25 annual report, 38 women were murdered due to domestic violence, four following rape, and two due to dowry-related disputes. These numbers underline that femicide in Nepal is not merely a result of personal disputes but a grave violation of human rights arising from persistent gender inequality.
WOREC emphasizes that zero tolerance must be maintained for all forms of gender-based violence. It calls for an environment where women can report abuse without fear or stigma, and where law enforcement ensures swift investigation and prosecution.
