By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel
While the entire nation was celebrating International Women’s Day, the family of Inisa BK – a resident of Birendranagar-1, Surkhet – was in grief. The reason: the family lost their daughter, who was murdered after being raped multiple times by locals. The unpardonable crime has cut short the life of a girl who had a dream to become a social worker and serve her community. But now her dreams will never turn into a reality.
That we still live in a barbaric society was reflected just last week. The rape and subsequent murder of a teenage Dalit girl indicate that girls and women are not safe in the country. The 16-year-old teenage girl – Inisa BK – had been living in Birendranagar-1 to pursue her higher secondary education with her mother and brother. On the morning of Saturday, March 7, what began as a routine day ended in a tragedy. Inisa left for tuition classes after she promised she would return shortly. Worried mother Tila tried to reach her when she did not return by 9 am despite her pledge to return by 8 am. But after a few minutes, Mother received a call from an unknown number saying Inisa had been found unconscious in the forest of Sahid Park. She fainted after seeing him unconscious and bleeding. Police and locals rushed Inisa to the provincial hospital in Birendranagar, around ten minutes away. But the doctors declared her dead before the treatment could begin. Preliminary investigation suggests the girl died after being raped.
Well, this is not the first time such horrific incidents have occurred in our society. Over the years, we have often come across such innumerable tragedies, sending a chill down the spine. For instance, Nirmala Panta (13) was raped and murdered in the Kanchanpur district in July 2018. The case becomes a national issue often referred to as #justicefornirmala. Likewise, Bhagirath Bhatta (17) was raped and murdered in the Baitadi district in July 2021. Pramila Tharu (14), a minor who was raped and murdered in the Kanchanpur district. All these are just tips of the iceberg. There are several others. What is even worse is the fact that the families of the victims have still been waiting for justice impatiently, thinking justice will be delivered shortly.
According to reports from Nepal Police and rights organisations, the reported cases of sexual assault and rape against women have seen a sharp increase in recent years, with over 2500 rape cases registered in the 2023/2024 fiscal year. But experts say that number is higher, as many victims and their families do not report to the police, fearing social stigma.
The moot question is why we are unable to create a society where our girls and women feel safe and secured. Likewise, when our girl child can go to school, college and the office without fear and intimidation. All these calls for convincing answers, and we hope we will get them soon.
Rape is a heinous crime against humanity. It devastates the victims, imprinting irreparable scars and wounds, adversely affecting their mental, emotional and physical well-being. Following the rape, the survivors are looked down upon in our society. Logically speaking, the victims are traumatised even though they are never at fault. Worse, post-rape, many victims commit suicide as they cannot endure the allegations and charges against them, while some suffer silently, impatiently waiting for justice.
Over the years, the government and non-government organisations have launched several programmes aimed at ending gender-based violence in the country. But it is very disheartening to note that girls and women are not safe in the country. Be it school, college, public places or the office, they become the victim of gender-based violence.
In papers, we have ended gender-based violence in the country. The NGOs and their so-called women’s rights activists, who are only Kathmandu-centric, organise events in posh and lavish hotels. The so-called activists cum self-proclaimed experts develop a phony report presenting a rosy picture to please the donors. In the report, they glorify their activities and actions, compelling the funding agency to believe that their support to end gender-based violence in the country has borne fruit. But the ground reality suggests otherwise, as our girls and women continue to become the victims of spoiled kids of big mansions.
The rape and subsequent murder of Inisa BK and alike have exposed the fault lines in terms of our legal system. The perpetrators can easily get away if they have access to political heavyweights. There is a significant gap between the theoretical, progressive legislation and practical enforcement, often leading to high rates of impunity. Despite constitutional arrangements and amendments to the National Penal Code, several fault lines persist that impede justice for the survivors.
Our social structure is equally responsible for contributing to gender-based violence. Our social structure is deeply grounded in a patriarchal system that historically and structurally presents men as dominant and women as subservient. What is even worse is the fact that while investigating, the legal proceedings often reflect societal bias, where the victims’ character, clothing and behavior are often questioned, leading to secondary victimization.
The protest in Surkhet will not subside unless the perpetrators are brought to justice. The victim’s family believes that justice will be delivered soon. Every victim’s family now raises just one question. How many more daughters and sisters must die before our laws take action? These monsters do not hesitate as they fear the consequences. In plain words, no more excuses and no more mercy for the merciless. Many reports of such horrific tragedies have been shelved under one pretext or another. But this time, no ifs and no buts, just action and that too very stern.
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