Kathmandu: A report has revealed that despite the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act guaranteeing respectful maternity care, many women continue to experience abuse and violence during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. The report was made public by the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD).

According to the fact-finding report, women in Nepal continue to face various forms of abuse, violence, and violations of their rights during pregnancy, delivery, and the postnatal period.

FWLD unveiled the report through an audiovisual presentation. The findings show that more than one-third of pregnant, childbirth, and postpartum women have experienced violence. Most victims were homemakers, while family members, relatives, neighbors, and husbands were identified as the primary perpetrators. The study also found that healthcare providers were responsible for a significant number of abuse cases.

Among emotional, physical, and sexual violence, emotional violence was the most common, affecting more than one-third of respondents. The study further revealed that women living in urban areas experienced higher levels of violence than those in rural areas. Pregnant women in Madhesh Province and postpartum women in Sudurpashchim Province were found to be particularly vulnerable to emotional violence.

According to FWLD advocate Binod Chandra Devkota, the study surveyed 1,680 pregnant, childbirth, and postpartum women residing in metropolitan cities, sub-metropolitan cities, municipalities, and rural municipalities across Nepal.

The research covered 28 local governments in 14 districts across all seven provinces. From each local government, 60 women participated in the study, including 20 pregnant women, 20 women within 42 days of childbirth, and 20 women within three months after childbirth.

The findings indicate that:

38.4% of pregnant women,
37.9% of women during childbirth, and
35.9% of postpartum women experienced violence.

Regarding emotional violence:

30.7% of pregnant women,
32.7% of women during childbirth, and
30% of postpartum women reported experiencing emotional abuse.

Similarly:

4.5% of pregnant women,
3.2% of women during childbirth, and
4.5% of postpartum women experienced physical violence.

The study also found that:

16.1% of pregnant women,
9.5% of women during childbirth, and
16.4% of postpartum women were subjected to sexual violence.

Family members and relatives were identified as the leading perpetrators of violence against pregnant, childbirth, and postpartum women. Violence by family members and relatives affected:

60% of pregnant women,
64.4% of women during childbirth, and
71% of postpartum women.

Likewise, husbands were reported as perpetrators in:

52.1% of cases involving pregnant women,
44.9% of women during childbirth, and
47.8% of postpartum women.

The report further showed that healthcare providers were responsible for violence against:

26% of pregnant women,
22.7% of women during childbirth, and
13.4% of postpartum women.

Advocate Devkota stated that the study covered the following districts:

Koshi Province: Sankhuwasabha and Morang
Madhesh Province: Siraha and Dhanusha
Bagmati Province: Kathmandu and Makwanpur
Gandaki Province: Lamjung and Kaski
Lumbini Province: Kapilvastu and Dang
Karnali Province: Mugu and Surkhet
Sudurpashchim Province: Kailali and Dadeldhura

The study received prior ethical approval from the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC).

FWLD Executive Director and advocate Sabin Shrestha said the fact-finding study was conducted to identify and comprehensively document the various forms of abuse, violence, and rights violations experienced by women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period in Nepal. He added that the findings are intended to support improvements and reforms in laws, policies, plans, and programs to ensure women can fully enjoy their right to respectful maternity care with dignity throughout pregnancy and childbirth.

The program, chaired by FWLD Chairperson Gita Aryal, also featured researchers Samiksha Shah, Manjila Tripathi, Archana Shah, Pranita Upadhyay, and Saraswati Karki, who shared their experiences from the data collection process.

Representatives from various organizations, including Sarita Shrestha, Bishnu Basyal, Sima Dhami, Ranjita Pariyar, Nirmala Dhital, Dechen Lama, Muna Pokharel, Shambhujang Rana, Tulsalata Amatya, and Pramila Dewan, raised questions and discussed the findings during the program.