Gender-Based Violence Through the Victim’s Lens

Authors

  • Aishworya Shrestha
  • Tika Bahadur Thakuri

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/skmj.v2i2.62499

Keywords:

Gender-based violence, gender, violence, knowledge and victims

Abstract

One in three women worldwide experience gender-based violence (GBV), predominantly by someone familiar (WHO). This study explores how Nepali victims understand personal incidents of GBV and its impacts, addressing gaps in victim-centered perspectives. Despite extensive literature on GBV, victims’ narratives are rarely spotlighted; “justice” is often academically-defined. Using purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews with 37 women, we examined research questions on victims’ perceptions of GBV events and effects afterwards. Thematic analysis revealed high GBV prevalence, especially for girls, yet chronically underreported due to factors like shame, stigma, mental health tolls, doubts over evidentiary support, masculinity constructs, and judicial distrust. Child abuse by acquaintances was salient, reflecting trust exploitation. Ultimately findings expose alarming yet overlooked violence against Nepali women and girls amidst normalization and victim-blaming attitudes. Centering survivors’ voices spotlights vital individual and systemic transformations required to address this epidemic. Insights provide a victim-based understanding of GBV to inform rights-centric responses.

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Author Biographies

Aishworya Shrestha

Ms. Shrestha is the founder of Antardhoni Nepal, former researcher at Kathmandu Livings Labs and has done MA in Social Work from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. 

Tika Bahadur Thakuri

Mr. Thakuri is a Lecturer at Department of Social Work, Tribhuvan University and Shahid Smarak College, Kirtipur, Kathmandu. 

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Published

2024-02-02

How to Cite

Shrestha, A., & Thakuri, T. B. (2024). Gender-Based Violence Through the Victim’s Lens. Shahid Kirti Multidisciplinary Journal, 2(2), 57–70. https://doi.org/10.3126/skmj.v2i2.62499

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Articles