Help 100 women suffering from violence in Nepal

Violence against women in Nepal persists as a critical humanitarian crisis, with double marginalization intensifying risks for vulnerable groups like Dalit, indigenous, rural, and low-income women, who face layered discrimination from gender, caste, ethnicity, and poverty. These intersecting factors result in elevated exposure to physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and technology-facilitated violence, often without adequate recourse due to social stigma, remote locations, and weak enforcement of laws. This report details the scope of the issue and highlights interventions through our Emergency Care Service Center.

Reports indicate a sharp rise in gender-based violence (GBV), with Nepal Police data showing a 203% increase in cases over recent fiscal years, alongside surging cybercrimes against women from 2023 to 2025. National surveys reveal one in five women aged 15-49 has endured physical violence since age 15, predominantly household-based in rural areas, while online harassment and technology-facilitated abuse target girls and women increasingly. Patriarchal norms perpetuate this cycle, as noted in ongoing battles against entrenched social structures.

Marginalized women experience compounded oppression, where caste hierarchies silence Dalit survivors, ethnic biases affect indigenous groups, and rural poverty isolates victims from justice systems. These women report higher domestic abuse rates, exploitation, and psychological trauma, with stigma preventing formal reporting or access to services. Remote municipalities exemplify this vulnerability, where GBV thrives amid limited infrastructure and cultural barriers to help-seeking.

Our Emergency Care Service Center delivers comprehensive, survivor-centered support to 100 women facing violence, emphasizing rapid response and holistic recovery. Key activities include 24/7 crisis hotlines for immediate triage, on-site psychological counseling and mental health assessments to address trauma-induced disorders like PTSD and depression, and safe shelter provisions with medical examinations for physical injuries & mental health problems. We conduct risk screenings to prevent escalation, facilitate legal aid referrals for protection orders, and provide skill-building workshops on financial literacy and self-defense to foster long-term empowerment.

This initiative bridges critical gaps in GBV response by prioritizing double-marginalized women, aligning with national priorities for prevention and norm change. Sustained funding will expand rescues, capacity-building workshops, and partnerships with local governments, ensuring scalable mental health support amid rising cases. Recommendations include enhanced technology monitoring, broader awareness campaigns, and policy advocacy to strengthen protections for at-risk groups.

KOSHISH has been instrumental in promoting the wellbeing of 100 women and girls who have survived violence in Nepal by providing a safe, nurturing environment that supports their holistic recovery, empowerment, and successful reintegration into their communities. Recognizing the profound physical, emotional, and psychological impacts of violence, KOSHISH offers a comprehensive range of psychosocial counseling and mental health services tailored to help survivors process trauma and rebuild their self-worth. This safe space is vital for survivors to openly express their experiences, receive empathetic support, and begin the healing journey in a secure and confidential setting.

Beyond immediate recovery, KOSHISH placed strong emphasis on empowerment by equipping survivors with practical skills training and livelihood opportunities. Such initiatives foster financial independence and self-confidence, critical components that enable women and girls to regain control over their lives and resist returning to harmful environments. To enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of its interventions, KOSHISH coordinated closely with local government authorities, families, and communities, as well as One-Stop Crisis Management Centres (OCMCs), which provide integrated medical, legal, and psychosocial support for survivors. This multi-stakeholder collaboration ensured a robust, responsive support system that addresses the various needs of survivors and helps reduce stigma associated with violence.

Importantly, KOSHISH actively engages men within communities through awareness campaigns and educational dialogues to challenge harmful gender norms and attitudes that perpetuate violence. By involving men as partners in preventing violence and supporting survivors, KOSHISH promotes a culture of respect and equality that is essential for long-term change. To ensure lasting impact, KOSHISH invests in building local capacity by training community volunteers and advocating for ongoing resource allocation from local government bodies. This approach enables the continuity of support services and community monitoring long after initial interventions, securing a safer and more inclusive environment for these women and girls. Through its integrated, community-centered model, KOSHISH not only restores hope and dignity to survivors but also contributes to the broader societal transformation needed to prevent gender-based violence in Nepal.