170 women victims of rape in Far-western province over three years

Dhangadhi: In the Far Western Province of Nepal, married women have been identified as the most vulnerable to sexual violence, according to a recent report.

Over a span of three years, 170 married women across the province's nine districts have filed rape complaints with the district police offices. In total, 530 men have been accused in connection with these rape cases.

Data from the Sudurpaschim Province Police Office, covering the fiscal years 2077/78 to 2079/80, reveal that rape is the most frequently reported crime in the region. However, the conviction rate remains low in cases of forced labor and related abuses due to insufficient evidence and a lack of witnesses. Many cases are dismissed when evidence is deemed weak.

Nepal’s Civil Penal Code, specifically Section 18, clearly defines rape as a criminal offense, even in cases where consent is compromised, such as when the victim is under duress, in captivity, or kidnapped. Section 219 of the code further stipulates that such circumstances automatically classify the act as rape.