April 2013, I was in
office of Radio Nari Aawaj, with local women activist in Jumla. A woman called
Menaka Pokhrel (here I disclosed her
name because she allow to disclose, hereafter survivor) wanted to meet chief of
Safe House, Bhagwati Shrestha, seeking support against attempted rape by her
office chief (hereafter perpetrator).
She shared all
stories;
- · Survivor started to work in Jumla for about 3 years, with her husband. She did second marriage with this husband and he also used to work as security guard. She joined campus for her further study.
- · Perpetrator recently joined, started to eat with the same kitchen
- · It was 30th day of eating together (Chaitra 3, 2069), during power cut, about 7.30, he asked to put the warm water, while she supposed to out from his room he attempted for rape. fortunately, she escaped.
- · Her husband back from neighbor’s home, then both men fight badly. Perpetrator threatened to them to terminate job of both in case of disclose the reality.
- · So, they kept quiet, fortunately or unfortunately, perpetrators asked justification with Survivor and terminate job of survivor’s husband.
- · Meantime, survivor was in deep sorrow so took 10 days leave. She was severely tortured by her husband, blaming her character.
- · In this scenario, she decided to registered the case for justice. It was 9th day already. She went to police office. Unfortunately, case was not registered. Thus, she was seeking support from the women activists who ran Safe House in Jumla.
We all went to the police office, met woman
and man police inspector, office time already over so dispersed to meet next
day.
Next day, I had already talked with DIGP
Bimla Thapa, few activists, lawyers in Kathmandu though the case was not registered. Man
Police, inspector called perpetrator and asked for resolved. He also called to
local women activists, perpetrator also threatened, blamed to them as well.
Meantime, I also called Gauri Pradhan , in Kathmandu. He also NOT happy with me
and said what type of case you were supporting?
Later, I was quite busy to receive many , phone calls, meeting people
and women activists , they all were saying I took forward this case otherwise
no women had have voice in Jumla. I got threaten phone calls too.
 |
| Resignation Letter from Women's network |
I started to work in Jumla since 2001, I never
like to build dependency among the local leaders. Before I left Jumla, an investigation committee
also was in Jumla from National Human
Right Commission. Finally case was
registered at police office, took five days to registered.
In the beginning, local women leaders were really
working so hard, updated me, asked me the suggestions. They meet press, met BAR association and others. Local
women leader also resigned from their women’s network at police office.
 |
| Press Release by Women's right activists/networks |
.JPG) |
| Press Meet, but not covered by media |
However, except women leaders and few
journalists, majority of the stakeholders police, lawyers, journalist,
politicians etc all were on side of perpetrator. It means that case didn’t get space in media
and anywhere. I keep on receiving many phone calls.
Women leaders are not unified, not properly
skilled, politically divided , manipulated very easily, hesitate to take stand,
low confidence etc so they didn’t like to continue the support to Survivor.
Later, I asked to forward all documents and
shared with WOREC, NAWHRD and about more than 50 journalist. I spoke myself
with many of them. But no one ready to take this case forward (The reason
myself and my organization was not talking lead role because my organization doesn't have a single money, whatever my organization is doing, doing by
passion and commitment at voluntarily basis.
Further, myself is a member of WHRD, my organization is working with
NAWHRD and WOREC. So referring to these institution is not also wrong at all. I always considered that WOREC is the parent organization to work on GBV in Nepal.
I didn’t see any progress, then survivor came
to Kathmandu. I suggested to her o meet NAWHRD, WOREC and Dr Renu Raj Bhandari.
Survivor and Dr Renu were worked together at national Human Right Commission
when Dr Renu worked as Rapporteur. Survivor
went there, met all in May 2013.
Survivor again called me in June 2013 when
I had had accident but I was keep on thinking about her. I also do not see any
interest among women local leaders who were together in the begging. But, there
is rumor that this case was manipulated by Radha and so on.
I have experienced of various forms of
gender based violence (GBV) since childhood. It took long to realize the GBV
and confidence to fight against it. I also engaged to support when I started my
professional career though I didn’t have formal education on GBV before 2011.
When I started my full time career in
Action Works Nepal, I actively engaged in fighting against GBV. Everyday, I
worked on GBV for response and prevention in a way another. Usually, senior,
educated women and men consult me.
Today, 10thday of 16 days VAW activism 2013. It is right after
the election for Constitutional Assembly II. Almost all media are working on
GBV, 16 days VAW and organizing various activities around GBV and women’s participation.
I felt so guilt, remember to Survivor almost every day. She dared to disclose the
situation but no one ready to support at all. About one month ago, I called her
but she didn’t respond. I thought she changed her mobile number.
Today, 5 December 2013, again I called her
and know about the following facts;
she defeated
her case in district court, now the case was in PUNARBALOKAN court according to
the government lawyer Laxman Aryal-
She didn’t
hear any response from any where
-
She went
to Jumla for attempting exam in campus and tried to meet local women leaders
they already change their mind and asked for resolved/meditate. She also paid Nrs 2000 in district court due
to filing the case against her office boss. She added, local women leaders
blamed me again.
I do not have any complaint towards the
local women leaders because they are depressed, deprived and divided
politically. I feel sorry with Local Women Leaders, Human Right Commission and
lawyers who asked the evidence against attempted rape. Shame L
Here my conclusion:
How much
structural patriarchal society we have specially in rural region e.g. Jumla
No one
ready to take actions, power oriented, working on comfort zone L
Nepal’s justice
mechanism is too biased, lengthy and not survivor friendly L
Lack of
skills, knowledge and mechanism on GBV response and prevention in Jumla
Long way
to go for fighting GBV specially in rural areas
Request: This is the long story, if anyone
like to know please feel free to contact, I will connect with Survivor
